The College of
Radiology Honours Founding Members – 29 May 2005
By Dr Evelyn Ho
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L to R: Dato’ Dr
Ragupathy, Dr Amir Hussain Fuad (representing the
late Dato’ Dr Hussain Abdul Ghani), Dato’ Dr
Joginder Singh, Dato’ Dr Kulaveerasingam, Dr
Narinder Singh, Dato’ Dr Ismail Saad, Dato’ Dr
Dharmalingam and Dr P. Sathyamoorthy, the immediate
Past President who presented the awards to the
Founding Fathers |
 ore than 2 years ago,
the idea to honour the founding members of the Malaysian
Radiological Society (the “precursor” of the current College
of Radiology) was mooted. The radiological community
including the radiotherapists/clinical oncologists has
always been part of the team providing medical care to a
patient except that in the past, they seemed very much in
the background and little known. (Brief
history of Radiology in Malaysia) However, they
introduced many firsts with reference to radiological and
radiotherapy services throughout the nation in the public
sector, academic and as well as private sector.
Recognition of their pioneering efforts finally came to pass
at our recent College of Radiology (CoR) 28th Annual General
Meeting on 29 May 2005 in Kuantan, Pahang. There were 13
members (made up of radiologists and radiotherapists) when
our professional body was born. (Founding
of the MRS)
Six of our pioneers personally made the trek to Kuantan for
the presentation of the awards. They were Dato’ Dr SK
Dharmalingam (Radiotherapist), Dr Narinder Singh, Dato’ Dr
Ismail Saad, Dato’ Dr K Kulaveerasingam, Dato’ Dr Joginder
Singh and Dato’ Dr K Ragupathy. Young radiologist Dr Amir
Fuad Hussain received the posthumous award to his father,
Dato’ Dr Hussain Abdul Ghani. Dr Hussain was the founding
vice president of the professional body. The CoR was indeed
honoured by their presence.
Two other founding members whom the CoR managed to contact
were unable to make it for the awards presentation. They
were Dr A.K. Murkherjee (Radiologist) and Dr Perdamen Singh
(Radiotherapist/Clinical Oncologist).
Although the affair was relatively low-keyed, yet, it is
hoped this will be the first step taken to help the CoR’s
younger members as well as the public to appreciate the
contributions of the pioneers of the allied professions of
the CoR.
Amazing! Founding Fathers still actively serving the
community…
The CoR’s founding members who managed to make it to Kuantan
all still serve the community in one way or the other. How
remarkable when one considers their ages range from 65 years
to 78 years! It will be a difficult act for all the other
CoR members to emulate but it is such outstanding
individuals that will provide the beacon for the CoR to
continue to make a difference for the profession and the
Malaysian community.
Our founding members have many pages to their curriculum
vitae – attestation of their abundant contributions,
illustrious and industrious careers. The following write up
of 7 of the CoR’s Founding Fathers offer only snippets into
the lives of these remarkable individuals from initial
diverse backgrounds.
Why name the award the Founding
Fathers Award?
The award each founding member received was named the
Founding Fathers Award. This was to commemorate the founding
of the professional body and the contributions of the
founding members. “Fathers” was used as it so happened every
founding member was male with the exception of the executive
secretary Ms Janet Low – who remains until today in this
position. Ms Janet Low was recognized for her long and loyal
service to the CoR in 2003.
In the future, outstanding members (male or female gender)
of the CoR may be nominated for the Founding Fathers award.
A set of criteria will be drawn up for this award.
In the 2005 inaugural Founding Fathers Award Presentation,
each founding member was given a personalized plaque as well
as a solid gold pin of the College logo (may be used as
collar or tie pin).
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