lthough Dr Dawson Fong never thought of becoming a doctor when he was a student, his solid work ethic naturally led to eventual success in the medical profession. From a young age, one of his biggest fears was perform poorly in exams. He says: "I was not a naturally gifted child, so I studied hard, leaving no stone unturned for the best results."

There is no doubt that medicine was Dr Fong's ultimate calling. He is glad that he identifies Neurosurgery as his specialty which drives him to be excelled. As with every role in society, he believes that being a doctor means shouldering a great deal of responsibility and also requires a degree of sacrifice. He says: "I have learned and observed from many great neurosurgeons, and that a prerequisite for being a great neurosurgeon is attention to details and discipline. In the same way that Chinese chess is strategic, you need to be constantly prepared and have the ability to predict what may occur next in the workplace." Another comparison he offers is to that of a tightrope walker, who cannot afford to make a mistake, lest tragedy befalls.

Continual education is the most rewarding aspect of the job for Dr Fong. He likens the experience to possessing a secret personal dictionary, which he constantly adds value to. He never questions how much time a task will require. He is happy to be completely invested so long as he can learn new, effective medical practices that will benefit patients and be shared amongst the next generation of doctors.

Despite the taxing workload and burdens that are part and parcel of being a neurosurgeon, Dr Fong's passion for work never ceases. He feels that it is much like being a marathon runner, who is so enamored with his pastime that even the great pain and exhaustion seem worthwhile in the end.

After a hectic day at work, Dr Fong enjoys winding down by listening to classical music as he drives home. On his days off, he enjoys a wide range of hobbies such as photography and choral singing. A lesser-known pursuit of his is calligraphy, which has proved particularly relevant professionally, as it involves practicing fine, steady hand movements.

As with all his endeavours, Dr Fong applies the same motto: "Attention and focus contribute to perfection." "Putting ourselves into our patients' shoes, we would naturally expect nothing less of this attitude," he added.

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