On 19 August, 2022, the University of Hong Kong-Shenzhen Hospital (HKU-SZH) officially announced that Prof. Kenneth M.C. Cheung took the helm as Hospital-Chief-Executive of the Hospital. Ms. Hongyan Wu, Director of Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission, Prof. Xiang Zhang, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Hong Kong (online) and Prof. Chak-sing Lau, Dean of the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (online) attended the appointment ceremony.

Kenneth M.C. Cheung is the Jessie Ho Professor in Spine Surgery and Chair Professor at the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, The University of Hong Kong (HKU). He was the Head of the Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology until December 2021. He is also the Director of the Orthopedic Center at HKU-Shenzhen Hospital and leads the area of excellence program in spinal deformities.

Prof. Cheung is a world-renowned academic spine surgeon with special expertise in the treatment of spinal deformities in children and adults. He is the former President of the Hong Kong College of Orthopedic Surgeons, and he was the first Chinese President of the international Scoliosis Research Society (SRS), the world's highest academic institution of spinal surgery (2016-2017). He not only led the development of orthopedics in Hong Kong, but also played a significant role on the international stage on behalf of China's orthopedics. In 2021, he was awarded the prestigious Walter P. Blount Humanitarian Award by the Scoliosis Research Society for his outstanding service to those with spinal deformity, and for generosity to the profession and society.

Prof. Kenneth M.C. Cheung at SRS 51st Annual Meeting & Course

Prof. Cheung is a valid candidate of Academician of Chinese Academy of Engineering. Since 1987, Prof. Cheung has been working in the front line of orthopedic clinical services, teaching and research. His clinical and translational research in the prevention and treatment of scoliosis has reached international level. He has been invited to give lectures at many international academic events and has extensive experience in science and medicine related matters. He has received 37 awards for research excellence, published 380 SCI articles in international journals such as Lancet, 23 book chapters and holds 65 patents. He also serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Orthopedic Surgery. 

2022 marks the 25th anniversary of Hong Kong's return to the motherland, and the 10th anniversary of HKU-SZH's founding. Over the past decade, the Hospital has been actively pioneering in innovating the management system, operation mechanism and clinical service model of public hospitals, as well as promoting the concept of green healthcare, introducing cutting-edge medical technology, and advancing the cross-border medical services between Hong Kong and Shenzhen. The Hospital has become one of the high-level hospitals in Guangdong Province and one of the pilot hospitals for the high-quality development of national public hospitals.

Prof. Cheung addresses his grateful thanks to the supports to the Hospital from governments and patients. He indicates that the success of the HKU-SZH is result of the joint efforts of all staff of the Hospital. Under the strong leadership of former Hospital-Chief-Executives, Prof. Grace Tang and Prof. Chung-Mau Lo, the Hospital has laid a good foundation and achieved wide recognition from public with its excellence in clinical services, teaching, research and management. He will continue to work with all staff to strive for the target of building a high-quality development model for public hospitals.

Regarding the future development of the Hospital, Prof. Cheung said, "As doctors, we should treat patients with empathy, which is essential to improving the quality of clinical services. I hope that we will make HKU-SZH a modern hospital that meets patients' needs and brings happiness to our staff. We should be open-minded and encourage staff members to make innovative and groundbreaking explorations in clinical healthcare and scientific research."

The President and Vice-Chancellor of HKU Prof. Xiang Zhang welcomes Prof. Cheung to the new position. He said, "Given Prof. Cheung's outstanding academic credentials, administrative experiences and international exposure, we are confident that he will bring excellent leadership to the Hospital, extending our presence in the Greater Bay Area."

Director of Shenzhen Municipal Health Commission Ms. Hongyan Wu expressed her expectation that Prof. Cheung could lead the Hospital in making greater contributions to cross-border healthcare services in the GBA region by leveraging policy supports and the Hospital's strengths.