Reported By Lee Hui Chieh in the Straits Times dated 1 September 2010
IN MEMORY of their daughter who died of breast cancer,Chief Justice Chan Sek Keong and his wife, Mrs Elisabeth Chan, have set up a professorship in her name.
The National University of Singapore (NUS) is launching the Isabel Chan Professorship in Medical Sciences today - the second anniversary of Ms Chan's death.
The professorship is aimed at supporting the work of an internationally recognised medical professional, who has attained superb clinical performance and achievement.
It will advance academic and research work in the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and help improve health care here, the university said.
In consultation with the Chief Justice, NUS has appointed its medical school's dean, Professor John Wong, 53, as the first recipient.
Prof Wong, who is also deputy chief executive of public health group National University Health System and director of the National University Cancer Institute, will hold the professorship for three years.
Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS deputy president (academic affairs) and provost, said that Prof Wong had been picked as he had outstanding credentials as a researcher, clinician, educator and leader.
For example, his research in haematology oncology has contributed to the development of personalised medicine, which will lead to more customised doses of cancer drugs for patients here, that will work more effectively but with fewer side effects, Prof Tan said.
CJ Chan, 73, declined to comment on why he and his wife chose to remember their late daughter by setting up a professorship, or to reveal the sum that they had given to NUS to do so. Their donation will be matched dollar-for-dollar by the Ministry of Education.
A donor has to give at least $2 million to set up an endowment fund for a professorship at NUS.
This latest professorship set up in Ms Chan's name brings the total tally of named professorships at NUS to 55, of which 17 are in the medical field.
Ms Chan, the youngest of three children, graduated in 1997 from London School of Economics and Political Science with a Bachelor of Science in Economics. She then attended a course in food and wine in London's Prue Leith School as she was interested in the culinary arts.
She worked in various food outlets here before opening Butterbean Bistro in Purvis Street in 2000.
She ran the restaurant that served modern European fare until she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2003.
Ms Chan, who was married but did not have children, died at the age of 34.
Prof Wong, who had helped treat her, said: 'I will always treasure Isabel for her enormous courage and independence. She never complained, and was always more concerned with the welfare of others than herself.'
On his appointment, he said: 'I'm humbled and honoured. The most important thing is to honour Isabel and her family. Setting up a professorship is one of the most noble things that a private citizen can do.'
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