“Liver, pancreas and gallbladder illnesses can be very challenging to treat. The odds are usually stacked against the patient with such complex illnesses. The science of treating the disease has to be balanced with the art of treating the patient – this is a lifelong endeavour and continuous commitment for me. Personalised, co-ordinated care to ensure that every patient is treated with dignity and compassion is what must be strived for.”
In his years as a surgeon, Dr Pang has seen patients and their families undergo dark and difficult times. But he also sees many glimpses of humanity; the strength and resilience of patients, the altruism and compassion of organ donors, and the selfless dedication of family, care givers and healthcare workers. These, for him, are some of the most rewarding aspects of his work.
Dr Pang graduated from the Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore. Having been inspired by his surgical tutors since he was a medical student, he became a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons of England before joining surgical residency with the National University Health System.
Dr Pang's interest in public health issues led him to pursue further studies amidst his surgical residency. He graduated from the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health at NUS with a Master of Public Health and obtained the Master of Medicine (Surgery) degree both in the same year.
Following his exit from the residency programme, Dr Pang obtained the FRCS with specialist accreditation in General Surgery. He is currently a Fellow with the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh as well as the Academy of Medicine, Singapore. His sub-specialty field of interest includes hepatobiliary, pancreatic and transplant surgery. He is now working in the Division of Hepatobiliary and Pancreatic Surgery and Liver Transplantation in the National University Hospital.
Research to improve geriatric surgery
In addition to interests in liver and pancreas surgery, Dr Pang is also actively involved in research and has completed a PhD in the field of geriatric surgery. He is studying issues that older surgical patients face and how to improve the care and surgical outcomes in this high-risk group. He is the Director of the NUHS MILES programme that is dedicated to the peri-operative optimisation of patients undergoing surgery, particularly those who are frail, so as to ensure the best possible surgical outcome.
Expanding the horizons of surgical knowledge
He has published in various peer reviewed journals and is always open to new ideas in research. He also has a keen interest in overseas surgical outreach, having been part of surgical camps to countries as varied as Vietnam, Myanmar, Indonesia, Philippines and India.
