Bulletin Autumn‧Winter 1990

Citations Prof. David Todd, CBE, MD, JP ‘A man of many continents', 'an accomplished academician' and ‘a practising physician of the highest calibre'. These are some of the phrases his colleagues at the University of Hong Kong choose to describe Prof. David Todd. Yet, the David Todd that one meets in person is remarkably modest and unassuming. This 'gentleman extraordinaire' likes to visit art museums and listen to classical music. He believes in being upright and at peace with himself. His manner may be quiet, but his inner strength is apparent. And he has dedicated his life to medicine, education and public service. Prof. Todd's early years were rather unusual. Soon after his birth in 1928 in Guangzhou, his poverty- stricken Chinese parents put him in the hands of an American missionary couple. As the second of three adopted children of the late Dr. Paul J. Todd (the founder of Kung Yee Hospital, later Zhong- shan University Medical School), David was expected to become a medical doctor. Whether he had other aspirations or not, he gracefully accepted the destiny and the challenge that went with it. Following his graduation from the University of Hong Kong, David Todd joined the full-time teaching staff of the university's Department of Medicine in 1953. He has remained a loyal staff member of his alma mater, except for the two years (1956-58) he spent as Sino-British Fellow and honorary registrar at the Muirhead Department of Medicine, Glasgow Royal Infirmary. In 1972, he became a personal professor of medicine and two years later, he succeeded his mentor, Prof. A.J.S. McFadzean as professor and head of the department, a post he held until 1989. In between, he also served as sub-dean of the Medical Faculty (1976-78) and pro-vice-chancellor (1978-80). Prof. Todd is a leading haematologist. He has published no less than 100 articles and has been a visiting professor and/or an external examiner of many universities. The Haematology Society of Australia has awarded him its prestigious Carl de Gruchy Medal (1979) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians appointed him a councillor (1980-86). The Singapore Academy of Medicine admitted him as an honorary academician (1986). He is without doubt an eminent educator. His students have named him Best Teacher and his colleagues respect him as their leader. They are astounded by his 'breadth and depth of knowledge on recent advances' in the field. They appreciate his leadership in promoting research and e s t a b l i s h i ng the A.J.S. McFadzean Library and the several visiting professorships in the department which effectively elevated the department to prominence. Apart f r om his academic work, Prof. Todd also contributes very significantly to public service. Of course, he has served on many boards, committees, associations and foundations within medical circles, both here and abroad. He was a key member of the Medical Development Advisory Committee during the 1980s. He helped to found the Hong Kong College of Physicians in 1986 and has been its president since. Thanks largely to him, Hong Kong has become the only overseas centre for the MRCP(UK) examination. Currently, he is a member of the UPGC and of the Committee on Management and Financing of Teaching Hospitals, Provisional Hospital Authority. He also chairs the UPGC's Research Sub-Committee and the Hong Kong Academy of Medicine Preparatory Committee. For his immense contribution to medical development, he was awarded the OBE in 1982 and CBE in 1990. Mr. Chancellor, in recognition of his outstanding contributions to medical science and education, I request that Your Excellency confer upon Prof. David Todd the degree of Doctor of Science, honoris causa. 40TH CONGREGATION - 5