Opening Remark by Dr. Thomas Wong
CCMSBC 40th Anniversary Gala
June 18, 2025
Together, We Honour the Past, Celebrate the Present, and Shape the Future.
Good evening, friends and colleagues, honoured guests,
Congratulations to the Chinese Canadian Medical Society of BC on its 40th anniversary! I am Dr. Thomas Wong, a family physician. I am deeply honoured to speak on this momentous occasion.
The roots of our Society trace back to 1974 — the same year I began my practice here in the Lower Mainland. At the time, a group of physicians practicing in the Vancouver area came together informally, in response to a concerning statement from the Canadian Medical Association, which questioned the growing number of Chinese medical students in Canada. This was long before the modern era of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We recognized the need for a unified voice — one that could speak up for our community and our profession. In May 1985, under the leadership of the late Dr. Jay Cheng, a respected psychiatrist, CCMSBC was formally incorporated.
Since then, we have honoured many distinguished physicians who have made lasting contributions to both our profession and our community — among them Dr. Wallace Chung, Dr. Howan Koo, Dr. Francis Ho, and, humbly, myself.
CCMSBC has always been more than just a professional association. It is a forum for fellowship among physicians, a platform to promote health awareness, and a champion for health advocacy within our broader community. I am proud to have been an active member from its formative years to the present day.
Strong leadership has been essential to our success. I am pleased to recognize several past presidents who are with us tonight – thank you for your vision and dedication. The leadership alone is not enough. Our society thrives because of the active engagement of our members. Together, we continue to evolve, staying relevant and committed to giving back.
Just last month, during Asian Heritage Month, the Chinatown Storytelling Center hosted an inspiring event titled Transplant Titans, celebrating pioneers in organ transplant medicine. Remarkably, the four featured transplant surgeons are from the Asian community:
- Dr. Anson Cheung – Heart Transplant surgeon
- Dr. Peter Kim – Liver Transplant surgeon
- Dr. Christopher Nguan – Kidney Transplant surgeon, and
- Dr. John Yee – Lung Transplant surgeon
Please join me in recognizing Dr. Yee, who is here with us this evening.
Over the past 40 years, CCMSBC has been a trusted voice – not only for physicians, but also for the patients and communities we serve. As we look to the future, we remain committed to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare. It is both our privilege to serve and our responsibility to give back, to lead with purpose, and to continue building a legacy of service for generations to come!
Thank you!
Thomas