In Memory of Dr Joanna Tse (1968-2003) - Hong Kong's Daughter
Prof. Kenneth Yee Man Tse, 1st OEBKK, FCPA, FLMI, FCFIP, FRSA
Principal, KennethTse & Co., forensic accounting and investigation; Co-founder IICFIP
Joanna Yuen-Man Tse (Chinese: 謝婉雯, 31 March 1968 – 13 May 2003) was a Hong Kong pulmonologist who died during the SARS epidemic in Hong Kong after volunteering to save patients with the syndrome.
Tse was born on March 31, 1968. She enrolled in the Chinese University of Hong Kong Faculty of Medicine and graduated in 1992, working at the Tuen Mun Hospital after graduation.
In March 2003, SARS broke out in Hong Kong. Tuen Mun Hospital received three SARS patients, but there were not enough pulmonologists in the hospital. Tse volunteered to work in the SARS ward. She and a male nurse, Lau Wing-Kai, had intubated patients with terminal SARS, and were suspected to have been exposed to infected droplets. She was hospitalized on April 3, and was transferred to the intensive care department on April 15. Joseph Sung from the CUHK and Yuen Kwok-yung from HKU had a joint consultation for her, but she died at 4 am (UTC+8) on May 13, 2003.
On the morning of May 13, the news of Tse's death was first reported on television and radio, which caused the mourning of many Hong Kong citizens. The media successively named Tse "Hong Kong's daughter" (Chinese: 香港女兒).
On May 17, Tse's father wrote a speech to the people of Hong Kong: "I hope that Tse's courage and sacrifice can encourage Hong Kong people to never give up and thanks to all people for their care towards her."
On May 22, Tse's Sabbath was held. Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa (lauded Tse for her professionalism and courage. 'I believe the whole community will not forget her selfless devotion,' he said (South China Morning Post), several government officials and about 2,000 citizens attended. Her body was later buried in the Gallant Garden.
On 30 June 2003, Tse was posthumously awarded the Gold Medal for Bravery (MBG) for volunteering to treat SARS patients during the outbreak. Of the six medical personnel who died of SARS, five were awarded the silver medal; Tse was the only gold medal recipient as well as the only woman.
Sources: wikipedia, SCMP, HKSAR, etc, etc.