Bulletin No. 2, 2020

14   Chinese University Bulletin No. 2, 2010 P rofessor Joseph J.Y. Sung has been Vice-Chancellor of CUHK for several months, and so far, a hectic schedule is the norm rather than the exception. One day in November 2010, he treated patients, taught students, gave lectures, received University guests, officiated at a ceremony, and attended a student gathering. From dawn to dusk, he shifted between his many roles, but always with zeal and composure. 8:15 am. The Vice-Chancellor cast a towering shadow at the entrance to the CUHK-PWH Medical Centre in the morning light, his doctor’s coat a reminder of the role by which Hong Kong first knew him. He had not just arrived. He had been at the Prince of Wales Hospital since 7:30 am for a meeting. He was scheduled to see patients at the medical centre, something he said he would continue to do before taking up the vice-chancellorship. ‘Good morning, Vice-Chancellor. How are you? You seem so much busier than when you were a professor. Thanks for making time to see me.’—A typical greeting as such is a valid proof of patients’ awareness of the many hats the doctor is wearing. Two Year 5 medical students joined Sung at the clinic. He spoke to the patient in Cantonese and explained the condition to the students in English. At one point, he spent eight minutes explaining the pros and cons of two drugs, as well as the correct dosage and the criteria for choosing one over the other. Then came a patient afflicted with gastroesophageal reflux, who was having problems with his bile reflux though his gastric acid had been brought under control. Sung offered him two options: raise the dosage or try a new drug, and explained the pharmacological basis, efficacy and side- effects of the new drug, and posed a few questions to the students. On the basis of this wealth of information, the patient decided to try the new drug. A Day in the Life o f the Vice-Chancellor