The College of Radiology Honours Founding Members – 29 May 2005
By Dr Evelyn Ho  | 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). |
