Professor Arthur Yau 邱明才 (MBBS 1956)
(From left to right) Mr Stephen Mckeever, Ms Lynn Yau (HKU alumna), Professor Keith Luk, Mrs Katherine Luk, Ms Amanda Yau, Mrs Catherine Yau and Mr Charles Yau at the inauguration of the Arthur Yau Memorial Fund in Orthopaedics during the 50th anniversary of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.
Aug 2011
“Professor Yau 邱明才 (MBBS 1956) was affectionately called ‘Choy Suk’ (才叔) by everybody in the profession. Those of us who are old enough would know the character ‘Choy Suk’ in the old Hong Kong cartoon who symbolised integrity, bravery, dexterity and foresight. This is, indeed, the most appropriate nickname for Professor Yau,” said Professor Keith Luk, Chair Professor and Head of Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology and Tam Sai-Kit Professor in Spine Surgery.
The Arthur Yau Memorial Fund in Orthopaedics was established in August 2011 on the 50th anniversary of the Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology to honour Professor Arthur Yau’s lifelong contributions to the field and the spirit in which he cared for his patients. Professor Yau’s family has committed to matching every dollar donated to the fund up to HK$500,000.
The Fund will sponsor a number of programmes in Hong Kong in the following areas:
orthopaedic education for HKU undergraduates, postgraduates and those in continuing education;
patient care, which would benefit the needy as well as contribute to orthopaedic education;
annual Fellowship for clinicians in orthopaedics to study at HKU; and
research endowments.
A hugely talented surgeon, teacher and mentor, Professor Yau’s dedication to his work was renowned – in research and practice, as well as teaching and patient care. Despite having entered private practice in 1980, this alumnus, former Head of Department Orthopaedics and Traumatology (1975-1980) and former Pro-Vice-Chancellor (1977-1978) continued to maintain close ties with the Department and was still teaching medical students and orthopaedic residents the week before he passed away on January 13, 2011 at the age of 81. His generosity in taking large numbers of pro bono cases illustrated his deep-seated kindness and unwavering conviction that anyone who needed his expertise should not be turned away.
