Dr. Fan Sheung Tat stands as a preeminent figure in hepatobiliary surgery and liver transplantation, currently serving as Director of the Liver Surgery Centre at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital and Emeritus Professor in the Department of Surgery at The University of Hong Kong. Graduating from The University of Hong Kong in 1976, he began his distinguished academic career in 1987 as a Lecturer in the Department of Surgery, rapidly ascending to Chair Professor of Surgery by 1993. For two decades, from 1988 to 2008, he served as Chief of Liver Transplantation and Hepatobiliary Surgery at Queen Mary Hospital, establishing Hong Kong as a regional leader in complex liver procedures. His academic journey reflects a remarkable fusion of clinical excellence and scholarly leadership, culminating in his appointment to the prestigious Sun Chieh Yeh Chair of Hepatobiliary Surgery at HKU. Dr. Fan's enduring commitment to advancing surgical practices has cemented his reputation as one of Asia's most influential surgical innovators.
Dr. Fan's most transformative contribution came in 1996 when he pioneered the technique of adult-to-adult living donor liver transplantation using a right liver graft, a groundbreaking innovation that effectively addressed the critical problem of organ shortage for adult patients. This surgical breakthrough, which has since been widely adopted internationally, represents one of the most significant advances in the history of liver transplantation, fundamentally changing treatment paradigms for end-stage liver disease. Earlier, in 1991, he performed Hong Kong's first successful liver transplant, establishing the foundation for the region's transplant program that has since saved countless lives. His innovative approaches to liver cancer management have provided new therapeutic pathways for patients with previously untreatable conditions, significantly improving survival rates and quality of life. The global impact of his surgical techniques is evidenced by their incorporation into standard practice guidelines across multiple continents, demonstrating the universal applicability of his work.
In recognition of his seminal contributions, Dr. Fan was elected as Academician of the Chinese Academy of Engineering in 1996, marking him as one of the few surgeons to receive this prestigious honor. His exceptional service to the field was further acknowledged with the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2006, the TTS-Genzyme Award for Innovation in Surgery and Technology in 2008, and the International Liver Transplant Society's Distinguished Service Award in 2022. Beyond his clinical and surgical achievements, Dr. Fan has profoundly influenced the next generation of surgeons through his academic mentorship and leadership in establishing comprehensive liver transplant training programs. Currently directing the Liver Surgery and Transplant Centre at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital, he continues to advance surgical innovation while sharing his unparalleled expertise through international collaborations and scholarly publications. His ongoing work in refining liver cancer management protocols promises to further elevate standards of care for patients worldwide.
