Professor VAN HASSELT Charles Andrew
AppointmentResearch Professor
Senior Advisor
Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, CUHK
Chairman of Executive Board
The Chinese University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Minimally Invasive Surgical Skills Centre

Professor Van Hasselt qualified in medicine in South Africa in 1976 and in his subsequent training was awarded diplomas in both aviation and underwater medicine before becoming a specialist in Johannesburg in 1984. The following year, he was appointed as Chief of Division of Otorhinolaryngology (ENT) in the Department of Surgery at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, stationed in the University’s teaching hospital, the Prince of Wales Hospital in the New Territories of Hong Kong. His task was to set up and develop a completely new ENT division with provision for teaching, research and clinical service. This division now operates as a mature unit undertaking undergraduate training, approved by the UK’s General Medical Council and post-graduate training, recognized by the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh. This has become one of the finest and most influential ENT units in the world, playing a major role in the development of the specialty, notably in China and Southeast Asia. Professor van Hasselt has developed all aspects of the Ear, Nose and Throat specialty. The Division has evolved into an indepandent academic Department of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery in 2007. His career reflects his passion for hearing restoration and in 1994 he delivered the Joseph Toynbee Memorial Lecture to the Royal Society of Medicine, on his major surgical developments in mastoid surgery reconstruction using the ‘Hong Kong’ vascular flap technique. He has set up both paediatric and adult cochlear implant programmes and has been asked to supervise the establishment of similar programmes in China and several countries in Southeast Asia. In collaboration with international experts in the field, he runs courses in advanced otology, endoscopic sinus surgery, cochlear implants and medical lasers. His publication of two editions of the definitive comprehensive work on “Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma” (widely acclaimed as the reference work on this cancer) well reflects his broad interest across the ENT field and standing in his chosen specialty. He is passionate about the integration of academic and clinical experience and has played an influential leadership role in disseminating expertise in minimally invasive surgical techniques. He conceived and now directs The Chinese University of Hong Kong Jockey Club Minimally Invasive Surgical Skills Centre, which also offers certified robotic surgical training attracting widespread regional and international acclaim. He was also awarded Emeritus Professor by the University with effect from 1 August 2016.
Academic and Professional QualificationsMBChB (Rand), MMed (Otorhinolaryngology), FCS (SA), FRCS (Eng), FRCS (Edin), FCSHK, FHKCORL, FHKAM (Otorhinolaryngology)
Research InterestsNasopharyngeal carcinoma,Otologic surgery including cochlear and bone anchored hearing aid implantation,Laser applications in the medical field,Endoscopic sinus surgery,Minimally invasive surgery
Invited Visiting ProfessorshipJohns Hopkins University, Baltimore, USA, September 1996
Fudan University, Shanghai, China, November 2002
Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, January 2007
University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan, February 2007
Membership of Academic and Professional BodiesMember, Collegium Oto-Rhino-Laryngologium Amicitiae Sacrum
Member, General Medical Council
Fellow, Royal Society of Medicine
Member, Sections of Otology and Laryngology, Royal Society of Medicine
Member, British Association of Surgical Oncology–Association for Cancer Surgery
Member, European Society of Surgical Oncology
Member, British Medical Association
Member, South African Medical and Dental Council
Honorary Member, South African Society of Otorhinolaryngology
Member, South African Society of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery
Member, South African Head and Neck Oncology Society
Member, College of Medicine of South Africa (Faculty of Otorhinolaryngology)
Member, Asian-Pacific Association for Lasers in Medicine and Surgery
Member, Georges Portmann Institute (intermediate past International President)
Honorary Member, ORL Travelling Club
Member, Hong Kong Head and Neck Society
Member, Hong Kong Surgical Laser Association
Member, Hong Kong Society of Sleep Medicine
Honorary Consultant in Otorhinolaryngology, New Territories East Cluster, Hospital Authority
Honorary Consultant in Otorhinolaryngology, United Christian Hospital, Hospital Authority
Member of Expert Panel in Otorhinolaryngology, Hospital Authority
Honorary Adviser (Medical), New Voice Club of Hong Kong
Honorary Adviser (Medical), Hong Kong Society for the Deaf
Member, Advisory Committee, Division of Speech and Hearing Sciences, Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong
Member, Hong Kong Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery
Member, Hong Kong Medical Association
Fellow Member, Hong Kong Institute of Science
Board Member, Asian Pacific Symposium on Cochlear Implant and Related Sciences
Member, International Medical Advisory Board, Cochlear Ltd.
Member, Medical Advisory Committee, Blue Care JV (BVI) Holdings Ltd.
Advisor, Macau Association of Otorhinolaryngology
Honorary Adviser, Hong Kong Society of Audiology
Hong Kong Convention Ambassador, Hong Kong Tourism Board
Expert Witness, Hong Kong Academy of Medicine
Volunteer Supervising Doctor, Medical Council of Hong Kong
Honorary Advisor, Hong Kong Parent Association for the Hearing Impaired
Director, HKSH Charitable Foundation
Life member, Hear Talk Foundation




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