Prof Wong Hock Boon, a mentor to thousands, founded paediatrics dept
By Sujin Thomas
Prof Wong, described as a 'man of few words with a great depth of knowledge', will be cremated tomorrow. -- ST PHOTO: LIM WUI LIANG
THE man widely regarded as the father of paediatrics in Singapore - and a mentor to thousands of young physicians - died yesterday following a short illness.
Emeritus Professor Wong Hock Boon, who founded Singapore's first paediatrics department in the 1960s, was 85.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Father of paediatrics dies at 85
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KEY ACHIEVEMENTS
# Known as the father of paediatrics in Singapore for his work in postgraduate training and education
# Raised the level of paediatric care here, helping make children in the Republic healthier
... more
A near-constant stream of doctors turned up at his seaside bungalow in Sentosa Cove yesterday to pay their respects.
Prof Wong died at home, surrounded by family and close friends. The Straits Times understands that he had been unwell recently but his family did not give any cause for his illness.
He had a stroke in 2004 and later required help to walk.
Prof Wong became the country's first professor of paediatrics in 1962 when he founded the National University of Singapore's Department of Paediatrics. He held the post until 1988.
He is credited with forming the School Of Postgraduate Medical Studies in 1965 and initiating a national screening programme to identify newborns with a blood disorder.
After he retired at 65, he continued his work as a senior fellow at NUS while operating a private practice at Thomson Medical Centre until 2003.
Those who knew him described him as a 'man of few words with a great depth of knowledge'.
Over the years, Prof Wong published 51 volumes of Paediatric Conference Notes, which became the main source of information for students sitting for higher paediatric examinations.
NUS Adjunct Associate Professor of Paediatrics William Yip first became acquainted with Prof Wong as an undergraduate in 1972.
He told The Straits Times: 'He had encyclopaedic knowledge. He didn't even need to look at his slides at lectures.'
At a short service for Prof Wong yesterday, Dr Yip called him 'a person of truly few words as all his energy was channelled into teaching, patient care, research and administration'.
Dr Yip added: 'Yet he was truly a Mr Nice Guy. He never belittled any of his staff, no matter how stupid we might have been.'
Foreign Minister George Yeo, who was at the wake, wrote on his Facebook page later that he was 'sad to hear of the passing away of Prof Wong Hock Boon, father of paediatrics in Singapore'.
Prof Wong's wife, Madam Lily Toh, 86, was a picture of strength at the wake, holding back her tears to greet visitors with a smile.
The retired nurse said her husband had always shunned media attention, wanting to focus on his work instead.
She and Prof Wong, who graduated from the University of Malaya in 1952, have one child - a daughter - who like her father, is a paediatrician.
Dr Julia Wong said with a smile that she did not get to 'escape' the experience of being taught by her father.
She became a student at the Department of Paediatrics in 1984 after completing her basic medical degree.
She said: 'When I heard people talking about him, I did not know what they meant until I became his student. He was a man of high principles and I had the privilege of being taught by him.
'Of course, I had to work harder than I normally would have to live up to his high standards.'
A funeral service will be held at Kampong Kapor Methodist Church tomorrow at 2.30pm, followed by cremation at Mandai Crematorium at 4.30pm.
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