Professor Chetwyn Chan - The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
VOLUME V ISSUE 1 / JANUARY 2006
Edited by Dr William W N Tsang
Departmental Outstanding Teaching Awards 2004/2005
Dr. William Tsang
Dr. Matthew Yau
The Panel was impressed by Dr. William Tsang’s enthusiasm
for learning and teaching processes, such as how he prepares
for his classes and interacts with his students. He teaches with
his whole heart. Dr. Tsang has done an outstanding job of
informing his teaching by his research findings, particularly in
the area of Tai Chi.
Dr. Matthew Yau has shown an ability to make learning and
teaching processes great fun. His sense of humor and teaching
approaches have made these processes more interactive and
effective. Dr. Yau has gone beyond the University to contribute
to the community through his teaching.
Professor Chetwyn Chan
OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT
MSc in Geriatric Rehabilitation
Chong Yuen Yee
Law Sin Man
Also in this issue:
• Ten years under
Professor Hui-Chan’s leadership
• Our alumni seek to
make a difference to the community
Address from new head of department
Congratulations to students
Chan Kin Ming Clement
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences, The HK PolyU
Tel: 2766 6717 | Fax: 2330 8656 | Email: [email protected]
Lee Mae Har
Li Wai Lim
Sit Wai Man Raymond
Tang Yin Ping
MSc in Manipulative Physiotherapy
Siu Hon Kit
MSc in Rehabilitation Studies
Yam Ka Ling
MSc HC (Physiotherapy)
Chan Kwai Fong
Cheung Chin Ting
Chan Wing Yee
Fong Siu Ming
Sham Siu Wai
Wong Chun Hung
Yip Lai Ming
Zhang Qi
PgD HC(Physiotherapy)
Shum Wai Kiu Vicky
MSc HC (Occupational Therapy)
Ang Hui Yong
So Chi Tao
Tsui Man Sai Simon
MSc HC (Rehabilitation of People with Developmental Disabilities)
Chan Yuet Yan
Lau Ka Ming
PT
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
OT
Lai Suk Ting
Tsang Wai Na
Chan Yuen Ting Joanne
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Lee Tsz Yan
To Yuen Ki
Chan Kit Ying
TUNG WAH GROUP OF HOSPITALS PHYSIOTHERPAY AND OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY TRAINING SCHOLARSHIP 2004/2005
PT
OT
Year Two
Wong Lai Hang
Year Two
To Yuen Ki
HONG KONG PHYSIOTHERAPY ASSOCIATION ALL-ROUND OUTSTANDING STUDENT AWARD 2004/2005
PT
Year One
Year Two
Lam Wing Sze Cecilia
Wong Lai Hang
HONG KONG OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY ASSOCIATION OUTSTANDING ACADEMIC AWARD 2004/2005
OT
Year One
Year Two
Year Three
Lee Tsz Yan
Liu Oi Nor
Chan Yin Wai
DR. KONG FOOTCARE PHYSIOTHERAPY PROFESSIONAL PROMOTION SCHOLARSHIP
PT
Year Two
Wong Lai Hang
Chan Yuk Ping
Wu Wai Yin
Leung Tsz Fung
Woo Mei Ling
Tang Ki Cheung
DR. KONG FOOTCARE OUTSTANDING BUSINESS PLAN SCHOLARSHIP
PT
Year Three
Chan Hiu Sin Cheng Ying Ying Cora
Yeung Wai Fung
Cheng Ka Lok
Chow Tsz Ting Michele
DR. KONG FOOTCARE OVERSEAS CLINICAL PLACEMENT SCHOLARSHIP
PT
Year Three
Chung Chi Hong
Pang Clara Wing Sum
CYNTHIA TANG MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2005/2006
OT
Year Two
Lin Guo Hui
LEE WING TAT PHYSIOTHERAPY CLINICAL PRIZES 2005/2006
PT
Year Two
So Nga Yin
Year Three
DR. LEE SAI WING MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2005/2006
PT
OT
Year Two
Choi Ching Man
Year Two
PAULINE JENKS MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP 2004/2005
OT
Year Two
10
Wong Sin Ka
Mak Wai Ying
Cheng Sin Yu
Lam Man Sze
Ngai Tse Wai Norma
On 1 July this year, I was honored to take up the
serve the profession and the
headship of the Department of Rehabilitation
Hong Kong community, I am
“As the Head, my mandate is
Sciences. I still remember vividly my meeting
to create the best environment for advisor to several governmental
with Prof. Thomas Wong, Dean of Faculty of
and professional bodies, and
everyone in the Department to
Health and Social Sciences, who asked me
subvented and charitable
pursue their academic endeavors organizations.
whether I was interested in taking up the
and create knowledge.”
appointment. I hesitated for a while but then
In the past 25 years, the
said: “Yes, I am.” This new position has given
Department of Rehabilitation
me new opportunities to see things from different angles, meet
Sciences has grown from a technical training school to an
people from different backgrounds, and make decisions that take
academic unit with a reputation for excellence in teaching,
into account different views.
research, and services in the realms of occupational therapy,
For those who know me, I am still Chetwyn (or Che Hin).
physiotherapy, and the science and technology of rehabilitation as
For those who do not know me, you might be asking: “Who is
a whole. I am thankful to Prof. Christina Hui-Chan, the former head,
Chetwyn?” I am an alumnus of the former Hong Kong Polytechnic
for doing so much on developing the department in its present
having graduated from the occupational therapy program in 1983.
stage (see details in p.2). The Department is composed of core
I left Hong Kong for England where I completed my master’s
groups of scientists and researchers who focus on East-meetsdegree in 1987. My first academic career began in 1987 when I
West therapeutics, the musculoskeletal system, the neurological
was a lecturer in the occupational therapy program at Hong Kong
system, cognition and neuroscience, mental and work health, and
Polytechnic. I then left Hong Kong for Canada in 1989 and pursued
sports and health. As the Head, my mandate (at least, as far as I
my doctoral degree in psychology at the University of Alberta.
perceive it) is to create the best environment for everyone in the
Besides studying in graduate school, I was a sessional instructor
Department to pursue their academic endeavors and create
in the Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine and a clinical researcher
knowledge. In my view, there will be three paths leading to our
in the University of Alberta Hospital. It was not until 1994 that I
success. The first is to build trustworthy, participative, and caring
returned to Hong Kong and started my second academic career at
relationships among all the staff in the Department. The second is
the Hong Kong Polytechnic
to foster collaboration and
University (PolyU). I was
synergy with other academic
promoted to associate prounits both inside and outside
fessor in 1998 and then full
PolyU. Last but not least, our
professor in 2003. My research
success relies on the support
interests are in cognitive
from the occupational therapy
neuroscience with a focus on
and physiotherapy professions,
understanding individual
and more importantly, from
differences and the therapeutic
people both with and without
values of mental imagery.
disability.
My clinical expertise is in
I am looking forward to
occupational health, work
working with all of you in the
rehabilitation, and the return
years to come.
to work of injured workers. To
Professor Chetwyn Chan
Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
Ten years under Professor Hui-Chan’s leadership
Making a difference to the community:
Alumni functions on 30 August 2005
Prof. Christina HuiChan stepped down
as head of our
department on 1 July
2005 after serving
in that position for 10
years. Back in 1995,
the then Hong Kong
Polytechnic had just
been upgraded to a
university, the entire
institution was
excited and somewhat daunted by the
“university” status
in our name, and
our department
was a humble unit
struggling to
position itself at this
university. Most colleagues were not fully aware of the
expectations of them held by the university and the public. After
becoming a university, gone were the days when teaching was the
only academic activity in the institution and when academic staff
could be exempted from conducting research and attracting
funding to the department. The arrival of Prof. Hui-Chan was
timely for the successful transformation of our department into a
fully functional academic unit at this university. Besides the hard
work of our staff, the credit must go to Prof. Hui-Chan for her
vision in setting targets, the strategies she thought up to get
things done, her passion in developing the two professions, and
her vote of confidence in all of us that we could achieve what we
have achieved today. Below is a list of some of the highlights
of our achievements in the last 10 years under Prof. Hui-Chan’s
leadership:
• Establishment of a unique East-meets-West niche in the
teaching and research programs
• Expansion of teaching programs from two BSc and three PgD
programs to two BSc (Hons) programs and three MSc awards
• Launching of research degree programs including the first PhD
program in Rehabilitation Sciences in Hong Kong and China
• Introduction of five self-financed MSc awards Pioneering of a
MPT program in Wuhan, the first of its kind on the Chinese
Mainland
• Establishment of scholarships to support student development
and procurement of donations for the new Tele-rehabilitation
Centre and MPT program
• Increase in the number of teaching and research laboratories
• Increase in the percentage of academic staff with PhDs from nil
prior to 1995 to 91% of those with the rank of assistant professor or above
• Increase in research publications from a few to 105 full
publications (and 101 conference abstracts) in 2003-04; many in
top ranking journals
• Increase in the number of active researchers from almost nil
before August 1995 to an estimated 80% as of September 2005
2
• Establishment of a Centre for East-meets-West in Rehabilitation
Sciences that has come to be regarded as among the best in
the region
• Establishment of a Rehabilitation Clinic which provides high
quality rehabilitation services in town
• Development of partnerships and collaborations with the USA,
Mainland China, Australia, Canada, England, Israel, the
Netherlands, the Philippines, Sweden, and Taiwan
Prof. Chetwyn Chan is blessed with having inherited the
foundation paved by Prof. Hui-Chan, but in front of him is also the
formidable task of reaching new heights for the department.
However, we have full confidence that Prof. Chan, being a young,
capable, and dynamic head, can bring the department into a new
era in the years to come.
• Professor Gabriel Ng
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Department of Rehabilitation Sciences
List of New Appointees
Name
Date of Assumption
Assistant Professor
Physiotherapy
Ms. Mok Wai Kuen Nicola
Dr. Ng Sheung Mei Shamay
Dr. Pang Yiu-chung Marco
17 August 2005
3 October 2005
15 November 2005
Occupational Therapy
Dr. Fong Nai-kuen Kenneth
10 October 2005
Clinical Associate
Occupational Therapy
Ms. Wong Suk Man Rebecca
01 August 2005
Instructor
Physiotherapy
Ms. Tsang Man Ha Sharon
1 September 2005
Occupational Therapy
Miss Lee Shuk Ching Clara
12 October 2005
Tutor
Physiotherapy
Chu Tak Ching
17 October 2005
Occupational Therapy
Miss Tang Lai Kee
Mr. Ching Chun Yin (Half time)
1 September 2005
1 September 2005
Physiotherapist I
(Assist Programme of Master in Physical Therapy)
Miss Kong Mei Ki
17 October 2005
Miss Tong Elvira Mary Yee-man
12 October 2005
We organized two workshops and a reunion dinner for the RS
alumni in response to the partnership initiative set out by the
Alumni Affairs and Development Office. The speakers at the two
workshops were emerging researchers in the field. Dr. Joyce Fung
from McGill University, Canada, was invited to run a workshop on
virtual reality for the PT alumni while Dr. Jenny Chung from our
department was invited to conduct a workshop on reminiscence
therapy for the OT alumni. The two workshops attracted a total of
128 participants. Feedback from these participants was positive,
with most of them expressing that they learned new and useful
things for immediate clinical application.
A total of 120 people attended the dinner at the
Royal Pacific Hotel. The MCs were our alumni who
worked in the entertainment industry. The dinner began
with an address from Mr. Ip Yee Chiu, president of RS
Alumni Association. He reviewed the development of
the alumni association and the acclaimed accomplishments of our graduates over the past two decades that
had made a difference to the rehabilitation community.
The participants played games designed by the MCs,
which created an extremely cheerful atmosphere. The
dinner environment helped the alumni to bond with
one another. The dinner ended with words of encouragement from Professor Chetwyn Chan, the newly
appointed head of our department.
• Dr. Hector Tsang
Departmental Alumni Liaison Officer
3
Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
Seminar on “Vocational Needs of People
with Autistic Spectrum Disorders (ASD)”
On 17 September 2005 (Saturday), our department organized a seminar on “Vocational
Needs of People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders.” There were about 160 participants
including official members, healthcare professionals, parents, and people with ASD.
At the seminar, Dr. Cecilia Li, Associate Professor, Department of Rehabilitation
Sciences, reported on the results of a joint collaborative project “Pre-vocational
Information Technology (IT) Training for People with Autistic Spectrum Disorders” with the
Social Welfare Department (SWD) that was launched in September 2005. She also shared
her vision of how IT training could facilitate the prevocational abilities of people with ASD.
Mrs. Agnes Li, the Chief Social Work Officer, SWD; Mr. Lee Kai Chung, Assistant Labour
Officer, Selective Placement Division, Labour Department; Miss Jannet Chick Hoi Yee,
Center In-charge, Society for the Welfare of Autistic Persons (SWAP); and Mr. Hudson Soo
were invited to share their views on vocational support for adults with ASD from different
perspectives. The seminar also facilitated discussion on the vocational needs of adults
with ASD. Some parents and professionals strongly expressed that
even though their children were placed in mainstream schools and
achieved good academic performance, they still experienced
difficulty integrating into the productive society due to their
limited social and communication skills. They still need support
and training in terms of vocational rehabilitation.
OT Students — Student Innovative Fund
Deafness — Press conference
on occupational deafness
A whole-day workshop called “Knowing
the World and Clinical Reality for Practice,”
which was funded by the Student
Innovative Fund, was held during the
summer holiday on 25 August 2005 at the
Hong Kong Baptist Assembly by a group of
Occupational Therapy Year 2 students. The
activity was aimed to enhance the allround development of our occupational
therapy students. There were more than
40 students in attendance. The goals were
to improve the students’ critical thinking,
leadership skills, communication skills,
and awareness of social responsibilities. In
order to achieve these goals, various
activities such as leadership training
activities, society games, and role plays
were conducted during the whole-day workshop. In the leadership training activities,
each student had the chance to play both
leader and follower roles. Two forums concerned with international and occupational
therapy were also held.
To conclude, the workshop was
well organized and successfully run.
Useful and meaningful information and
knowledge were gained by the participants, and their feedback was unexpectedly good. A strong bond was also
formed between Year 1 and Year 2 cohort
students during this workshop.
On 28 June 2005, a
press release was
held by the Occupational Deafness
Compensation Board
to present the significant findings of an
action research named
“Study on the Rehabilitation Needs of
Persons with Occupational Deafness.”
The research team
included Dr. Cecilia Li and Dr. Eria Li from the Department of
Rehabilitation Sciences, and Dr. Lee Tsor Kui from the Department
of Applied Social Sciences (APSS). The project was funded by the
Occupational Deafness Compensation Board.
At the press release, Dr. Cecilia Li presented the key
findings on the vocational needs of persons with occupational
deafness. Dr. Lee Tsor Kui from APSS presented the outcome
of social programs. It was explained that workers with occupational deafness faced a lot of problems re-integrating into the
community. Subsequent to their loss of hearing, they have
problems communicating with their family members. They also
struggle with depression, anxiety, and poor relationships with coworkers and family members. Social rehabilitation and occupational rehabilitation are deemed essential to better integrate
them back into the community.
The other team members are Ms. Gladys Lee and Mr.
Eddie Fung who were BSc OT graduates in 2004.
• Mr. Liang Bin, Ray
Occupational Therapy Year 2 student
Hand Rehabilitation Workshop in Guangzhou 2005
• Dr. Cecilia Li
• Dr. Cecilia Li and Dr. Eria Li
Dr. Cecilia Li, Dr. Guo Xia, and Dr. Liu Mu Qing (postdoctoral
fellow) were invited by the Guangdong Academy of Physical
Medicine and Rehabilitation to be the keynote speakers for a
three-day Hand Rehabilitation Workshop held in Guangzhou in
August 2005. The workshop aimed to promote the most up-todate research and practice in hand rehabilitation for rehabilitation professionals on the Mainland.
More than 100 participants joined the workshop and
there were 42 practitioners including doctors and rehabilitation
therapists from other provinces in China. The team (Dr. Cecilia
Li, Dr. Guo Xia, and Dr. Liu Mu Qing) presented the current
research and services development in the area of fracture
management, and nerve and tendon rehabilitation. Other
experienced occupational therapists from Hong Kong and
professors from Sun Yat-Sen University and Southern Medical
University also helped to deliver a series of workshops and
demonstrations, including ones on hand anatomy; rehabilitation after joint trauma; and fabricating splints, pressure gloves,
and pressure garments for upper limbs. Overall, the participants
showed great interest in the workshop.
• Dr. Cecilia Li and Dr. Guo Xia
4
5
Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
A fruitful Hong Kong experience:
Master of Physical Therapy students from Wuhan
As Master of Physical Therapy students, we were so lucky to have
this chance to go to Hong Kong for our clinical placement. This was
a very unusual and fruitful experience for us.
We spent a very valuable time in the Rehabilitation Clinic,
PolyU. Both our professional techniques and communication skills
with patients have
improved a lot.
Furthermore, we met
other international
students during our
placement and made
good friends. It was a
pleasant experience
to share what we
learned!
We also visited
two government hospitals, which helped us
to learn more about the rehabilitation medical scenario in Hong
Kong. There were several things that impressed us. Firstly, besides
the powerful economic support from the government, the supervision and management of the medical field is pretty good.
Secondly, the rehabilitation concept of citizens in Hong Kong is
stronger than that on the Mainland. Thirdly, public health education is conducted very well. Lots of handouts and videos on
rehabilitation are available in clinics and hospitals.
Exciting activities were arranged every Friday, such as
talks on the economics, politics, culture, and customs of Hong
Kong; and visits to symbolic places like
the Hong Kong Internal
Finance Center, the
Hong Kong House
Building Management
Center, ICAC, the Hong
Kong Jockey Club, the
Airport Core Programme
Exhibition Center, the
Hong Kong Environmental
Resource Center, the
Hong Kong History
Museum, etc. From these meaningful activities, we gained a deep
understanding of why this great city is so prosperous.
In conclusion, our trip to Hong Kong was very fruitful. We
would like to sincerely thank all our teachers who made the effort
to get the placements for us, provided us with hospitality, and
helped us during our period of study in Hong Kong. We will
treasure this memorable experience throughout our lives!
O Camp — PT orientation camp
The orientation camp (O’camp) held by Free2Joint, the 12th Physiotherapy
Students’ Society, is finally over. However, no participants will forget this
fascinating O’camp. This year, 40 freshmen and 32 Year 2 helpers participated. It was held in the Scout Association of Hong Kong – Tai Tam Scout
Centre from 22 to 24 August. The camp gave all freshmen a chance to
build friendships with new classmates and Year 2 students, as well as to
improve their leadership and communication skills.
Before the O’camp started, two pre-camp gathering sessions
were organized. In these pre-camp sessions, the freshmen started to get
to know each other by playing in small groups, chatting, and dancing together. They were
introduced to the facilities of the PolyU campus. In addition, the Hong Kong Physiotherapy
Concern (HKPC) was invited to give a talk on their voluntary services, which are related to
the field of physiotherapy.
During the O’camp, the freshmen were divided into four groups (Lordosis,
Scoliosis, Kyphosis, and Torticollis) to compete for the championship. They took part in a
treasure hunt on the PolyU campus before entering the camp site. They also participated
in a simulated-society activity, which gave them a good chance to exchange ideas among
group mates. Under the bright sunshine, all the participants enjoyed throwing water
balloons and playing with water pistols. At night, everyone gathered to sing and dance.
After three days of keen competition, Lordosis and Torticollis became the overall
champions. But we believe that more important than this victory are the valuable friendships that were formed in this wonderful O’camp and the precious memories that will be
taken away by all the freshmen.
• Miss Chan Yat Ching, Debby
Physiotherapy Year 2 student
6
• Miss Chen Hong Ying, Holly &
Miss Shen Xia, Christin
(MPT Year 2 students)
PolyU physiotherapy students
take part in
a successful exchange tour
to explore the development of
rehabilitation services in
Mainland China
The state of rehabilitation in Mainland China was originally
unclear to physiotherapy students in Hong Kong. However,
through the Hong Kong-Guangdong Rehabilitation Exchange Tour,
I gained better knowledge and became eager to learn more about
this topic.
Overall, rehabilitation is not popular or even really
feasible in China. Hospitals that have their own rehabilitation
department, like Sun Yat-Sen Memorial Hospital, are not common
in China. Rather, Shijie Hospital reflects the true state of rehabilitation in the majority of hospitals in China: despite being a towngrade hospital, it has only two small rooms for rehabilitation and
two rehabilitation doctors. Thus, it can be imagined how little
effort is spent on rehabilitation in lower-grade hospitals. This
reality may be due to the current over-emphasis on first-line
medical treatment and the neglect of rehabilitation in China.
One reason for this may be the incomplete social
security system. People are eager to solve life-threatening
problems, but are not prepared to pay for less urgent rehabilitation treatment. Therefore, the social security system in China
should be improved to ensure that people can receive a complete
treatment process that includes rehabilitation.
In addition, what surprised me was the combination of
Chinese and Western medicine in rehabilitation. Except those
common modalities used in Hong Kong, rehabilitation personnel
in China are also skilled in traditional Chinese medical treatment
methods. The spring water hydrotherapy and electrical stimulating
acupuncture were new and interesting to me. Being Chinese, I
think we have a responsibility to combine the essences of East
and West in physiotherapy.
To conclude, I hope that the system of rehabilitation in
China can be more open and consistent so that we can explore a
new market for the future.
• Cheung Lok Yung, Carol
Physiotherapy Year 2 student
A month in Beijing
A group of eight physiotherapy students
went to Beijing for one month this summer. I
was privileged to join this “Preferred
Graduate” Development Programme and was
lucky enough to be in this group. We were
attached to Beijing Hospital where we were
given the opportunity to learn from the rehab
professionals and staff on the Mainland.
This was most certainly an unforgettable month. Apart from having the
chance to be exposed to the Mainland health
care system, we also took our time to travel
around and to gain valuable life experience.
We planned the trips ourselves. We learned how to take the masstransit railway in Beijing and we overcame the difficulty of riding on
Beijing buses. I also learned something that will benefit my whole
future life: how to
get the most out of
the least amount
of money.
The eight of us
stuck closely together during the
month in Beijing. I
had a very good time
with them. Some of us fell sick in Beijing, but we took care of
each other. It was very warm in our friendship indeed.
It was really fun in Beijing and I learned a lot. I thank
the staff at Beijing Hospital and the Student Affairs Office, PolyU
for organizing the program and letting me be a part of it. I also
thank Dr. Gladys Cheing for her kind support. Last but not least, I
must also thank the seven physiotherapy students who spent
the month with me in Beijing. You guys are really great!
• Miss Choi Ching Man, Tiffany
Physiotherapy Year 3 student
7
Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
Agnes Gardner —
Life-long contributor to the Physiotherapy Profession
Obituary : Dr. Sharyn Vanden Noven
It is with great sadness that we announce that our ex-colleague and dear
friend Sharyn passed away quietly on the morning of 3 September 2005
after a six-month battle with cancer.
Sharyn spent three years (1996-1999) in Hong Kong working in
the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic
University. During this time, she devoted her energy, heart, and spirit to
developing the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and BSc (Hons) Occupational
Therapy curricula, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, as
well as shaping community-based programs to serve the needs of the
elderly. Despite knowing no Cantonese, Sharyn taught exercise classes to
older adults which evolved into videos that continue to help people help
themselves to develop a better life.
To celebrate her life, a service was held on 12 September at
PolyU. Sharyn’s smile, positive attitude, generosity, friendship, and love
remain in our hearts and memories.
As a tribute, a memorial donation fund has been set up at the
Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Social Service Center to support services for
the elderly.
(Enquiry: Ms. Emily Kwong, [email protected], Tel.: 2553-6333,
http://www.akwassc.org.hk)
I am saddened to inform you that Agnes has elected to retire
early (she says well before her retirement age) and will cease to
serve The Hong Kong Polytechnic University from October 2005.
Many of us have known Agnes since she commenced
teaching physiotherapy. She worked at the Duchess of Kent
Hospital at Sandy Bay when she completed her physical therapy
training at the University of Wisconsin, USA in 1973. She was
recruited to the Institute of Medical and Health Care, then under
the Hong Kong Polytechnic, in 1979. Agnes’s contribution and
dedication to the teaching of anatomy is legendary. It was
through her untiring efforts that a state-of-the-art anatomy
laboratory was established at the Hong Kong Polytechnic. This
has not only saved our students valuable traveling time to the
Hong Kong University Anatomy Laboratory, but has also permitted a far more intimate (at home) learning environment. Having
our own anatomy laboratory also allows us access for informal
tutorials and revision at any time. Agnes developed structured
interactive laboratory manuals and the Peer Tutoring Scheme
to assist students to understand this “bedrock” subject of
physiotherapy.
Many students may consider Agnes a “strict” or even a
“tough” teacher, but all appreciated the effort she put into her
teaching and recognized the benefits that remained after graduation and during their professional careers. I did not have the
privilege to be one of Agnes’s students, but was fortunate to be a
member of her team for a few years. I learned how anatomy can
be an interesting subject to teach and I still remember how
impressed I was when I first saw her clearly outline the surface
anatomy of the arteries, veins, and nerves of the lower limb on a
student – so complex but so clearly mapped out (and very colorful). Perhaps, if you know your anatomy really well, you might
take the view that this is no “big deal,” but it was the “tips” that
8
she gave both teachers and students on how, not only to
memorize, but also, most importantly, to understand the
relationship between the complex course of these structures and
their function.
Agnes was awarded the Departmental Teaching Award
in 1998. The Programme was indeed fortunate to have her at the
helm of some “difficult” subjects, such as Professional Seminar
Series and Health Care Management. These subjects, though
essential for a rounded physiotherapy training, may appear
turgid at times to students without professional experience.
Many postgraduates have told me at subsequent meetings that
despite finding these subjects dry at the time, they now realize
how useful the subject matter was to the development of their
professional careers.
Agnes made a huge contribution to the development of
physiotherapy in Hong Kong while she was President of the
Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association, particularly in legal and
administrative matters. She has contributed significantly to the
development of physiotherapy education in Hong Kong, and
although she is retiring from her academic career, we hope that
she will continue to contribute valuable advice and her wealth of
experience to the development of the physiotherapy profession
in Hong Kong.
I wish her good health and happiness in her retirement
and hope that she can find time to “smell the roses”; however,
knowing her, I am sure she won’t slow down for long.
We will miss you Agnes and we thank you for your
friendship, kindness, and for all you have done for the Hong
Kong Physiotherapy Programme.
• Professor Alice Jones
Physiotherapy Program Leader
Establishment of Prof. Alan S. F. Tam Memorial Fund
Alan passed away peacefully on 27 September 2005 at Queen Mary
Hospital after a battle with cancer. We are deeply saddened to lose a
talented colleague and friend who was dedicated to his students and
profession. Prof. Tam joined our department in 1989 and was promoted to
full professor in 2003. As well as teaching undergraduate subjects and
supervising postgraduate students, he was the coordinator of the Master
of Science in Occupational Therapy Award. Alan was a committed teacher
who made use of e-learning. His research interests ranged from
rehabilitation technology to social psychology and cross-cultural issues.
He received many awards and published numerous articles in international peer-reviewed and professional journals. Alan had been the
Co-ordinator of the Centre for East-meets-West since its establishment by
Prof. Christina Hui-Chan in 1998-99. With his information technology
skills, he succeeded in attracting a donation of HK$3.8 million from
Dr. and Mrs. Lui Che Woo to establish a new Tele-rehabilitation Centre in
May 2004.
We sincerely hope that his spirit will continue into the next
generation with the establishment of the Prof. Alan S. F. Tam Memorial
Fund. We would greatly appreciate your support in setting up the fund.
Please fill in the attached form and send us any contribution that you
can spare.
9
Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
Volume V, Issue 1 / January 2006
Agnes Gardner —
Life-long contributor to the Physiotherapy Profession
Obituary : Dr. Sharyn Vanden Noven
It is with great sadness that we announce that our ex-colleague and dear
friend Sharyn passed away quietly on the morning of 3 September 2005
after a six-month battle with cancer.
Sharyn spent three years (1996-1999) in Hong Kong working in
the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences at the Hong Kong Polytechnic
University. During this time, she devoted her energy, heart, and spirit to
developing the BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy and BSc (Hons) Occupational
Therapy curricula, mentoring undergraduate and graduate students, as
well as shaping community-based programs to serve the needs of the
elderly. Despite knowing no Cantonese, Sharyn taught exercise classes to
older adults which evolved into videos that continue to help people help
themselves to develop a better life.
To celebrate her life, a service was held on 12 September at
PolyU. Sharyn’s smile, positive attitude, generosity, friendship, and love
remain in our hearts and memories.
As a tribute, a memorial donation fund has been set up at the
Aberdeen Kai-fong Welfare Social Service Center to support services for
the elderly.
(Enquiry: Ms. Emily Kwong, [email protected], Tel.: 2553-6333,
http://www.akwassc.org.hk)
I am saddened to inform you that Agnes has elected to retire
early (she says well before her retirement age) and will cease to
serve The Hong Kong Polytechnic University from October 2005.
Many of us have known Agnes since she commenced
teaching physiotherapy. She worked at the Duchess of Kent
Hospital at Sandy Bay when she completed her physical therapy
training at the University of Wisconsin, USA in 1973. She was
recruited to the Institute of Medical and Health Care, then under
the Hong Kong Polytechnic, in 1979. Agnes’s contribution and
dedication to the teaching of anatomy is legendary. It was
through her untiring efforts that a state-of-the-art anatomy
laboratory was established at the Hong Kong Polytechnic. This
has not only saved our students valuable traveling time to the
Hong Kong University Anatomy Laboratory, but has also permitted a far more intimate (at home) learning environment. Having
our own anatomy laboratory also allows us access for informal
tutorials and revision at any time. Agnes developed structured
interactive laboratory manuals and the Peer Tutoring Scheme
to assist students to understand this “bedrock” subject of
physiotherapy.
Many students may consider Agnes a “strict” or even a
“tough” teacher, but all appreciated the effort she put into her
teaching and recognized the benefits that remained after graduation and during their professional careers. I did not have the
privilege to be one of Agnes’s students, but was fortunate to be a
member of her team for a few years. I learned how anatomy can
be an interesting subject to teach and I still remember how
impressed I was when I first saw her clearly outline the surface
anatomy of the arteries, veins, and nerves of the lower limb on a
student – so complex but so clearly mapped out (and very colorful). Perhaps, if you know your anatomy really well, you might
take the view that this is no “big deal,” but it was the “tips” that
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she gave both teachers and students on how, not only to
memorize, but also, most importantly, to understand the
relationship between the complex course of these structures and
their function.
Agnes was awarded the Departmental Teaching Award
in 1998. The Programme was indeed fortunate to have her at the
helm of some “difficult” subjects, such as Professional Seminar
Series and Health Care Management. These subjects, though
essential for a rounded physiotherapy training, may appear
turgid at times to students without professional experience.
Many postgraduates have told me at subsequent meetings that
despite finding these subjects dry at the time, they now realize
how useful the subject matter was to the development of their
professional careers.
Agnes made a huge contribution to the development of
physiotherapy in Hong Kong while she was President of the
Hong Kong Physiotherapy Association, particularly in legal and
administrative matters. She has contributed significantly to the
development of physiotherapy education in Hong Kong, and
although she is retiring from her academic career, we hope that
she will continue to contribute valuable advice and her wealth of
experience to the development of the physiotherapy profession
in Hong Kong.
I wish her good health and happiness in her retirement
and hope that she can find time to “smell the roses”; however,
knowing her, I am sure she won’t slow down for long.
We will miss you Agnes and we thank you for your
friendship, kindness, and for all you have done for the Hong
Kong Physiotherapy Programme.
• Professor Alice Jones
Physiotherapy Program Leader
Establishment of Prof. Alan S. F. Tam Memorial Fund
Alan passed away peacefully on 27 September 2005 at Queen Mary
Hospital after a battle with cancer. We are deeply saddened to lose a
talented colleague and friend who was dedicated to his students and
profession. Prof. Tam joined our department in 1989 and was promoted to
full professor in 2003. As well as teaching undergraduate subjects and
supervising postgraduate students, he was the coordinator of the Master
of Science in Occupational Therapy Award. Alan was a committed teacher
who made use of e-learning. His research interests ranged from
rehabilitation technology to social psychology and cross-cultural issues.
He received many awards and published numerous articles in international peer-reviewed and professional journals. Alan had been the
Co-ordinator of the Centre for East-meets-West since its establishment by
Prof. Christina Hui-Chan in 1998-99. With his information technology
skills, he succeeded in attracting a donation of HK$3.8 million from
Dr. and Mrs. Lui Che Woo to establish a new Tele-rehabilitation Centre in
May 2004.
We sincerely hope that his spirit will continue into the next
generation with the establishment of the Prof. Alan S. F. Tam Memorial
Fund. We would greatly appreciate your support in setting up the fund.
Please fill in the attached form and send us any contribution that you
can spare.
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