Lumen Autumn 2024 - Flipbook - Page 35
Dr Catherine Tong How Lee,
Singapore
Dr Catherine Lee is an award-winning
specialist in cleft-craniofacial
orthodontics. While studying at the
University of Adelaide, she was not only
President of the Adelaide Dental Student
Society and recipient of multiple academic
scholarships, but also a black belt holder
in karate.
Florence Glanfield, Canada
In October 2022, Dr Florence Glanfield
(Vice-Provost Indigenous Programming
and Research) and Doug Weir (Deputy
Head International, Director Global
Learning) from the University of Alberta
visited the University of Adelaide to learn
about our programs, research and activities
that relate to Aboriginal and Torres Strait
Islander people.
“The visit was short yet energising,” says
Florence. “We were impressed with the ways
in which the University of Adelaide provides
opportunities for non-Indigenous people
to learn about and come to understand
the histories, languages, cultures, and
knowledge systems of Indigenous people.”
Following her graduation in 1992, she was
selected for specialist training at New York
University, where she excelled. She now
provides multidisciplinary and collaborative
care to patients in her home country of
Singapore, where she was the first
dental specialist consultant appointed in
the Division of Plastic Surgery at two major
hospitals, Singapore General Hospital and
Singapore National University Hospital.
“I have the privilege of working
alongside esteemed medical colleagues in
a multidisciplinary setting. This historic
appointment signifies the recognition of the
pivotal role that dental specialists play in
the comprehensive care of cleft-craniofacial
patients,” Catherine says.
Catherine combines her public and
private practice alongside charitable work.
In her time outside the clinic, she reviews
academic research articles, serves on
multiple professional boards, and cares for
her rescued tea-cup Yorkshire Terrier, Mika.
During their visit, Florence and Doug
were particularly taken with the
acknowledgement of Kaurna land at the
North Terrace campus. “It’s inspiring
that the Kaurna Learning Circle is
immediately visible to anyone entering the
campus from the river end,” says Doug. “It
instils in all who pass that Kaurna teachings
are valued as part of the University’s
education syllabus.”
Florence is quick to agree: “The
work related to Indigenous languages
revitalisation is astonishing and a credit
to the years-long work that has been
committed to ensure that this vital part
of history is not lost,” she says.
“This visit demonstrated a genuine
willingness for our universities to work
together to enhance learning opportunities
for Indigenous students and employees. Our
colleagues and friends from Wirltu Yarlu, in
particular Uncle Rod O’Brien and Professor
Steve Larkin, were incredibly generous with
their time and knowledge, and ensured that
we were truly welcomed.”
LUMEN
Dedicated to ensuring that everyone can
access life-changing care, Catherine was
named a Global Gamechanger by Advance
Australia in 2023 for her impact. As a
patron and medical director on the board
of the Cleft Care Indonesia Foundation,
she provides expertise for the care of
underprivileged cleft-lip and -palate
children in Indonesia. She has co-led
multiple surgical missions to China with the
Hainan Smile project and is now exploring
replicating a Nursery Care for Cleft Infants
and Children program in Loas, in
collaboration with Friends Without
a Border.
“Many cleft care charity foundations
in poorer parts of the world have short
lifespans, or do not exist at all,”
Catherine says.
SHE HAS AMBITIONS TO
ADVANCE THE
BUSINESS SUSTAINABILITY
OF HUMANITARIAN
CLEFT CARE PROJECTS
GLOBALLY, BUT HER
GREATEST REWARD IS
MAKING A DIFFERENCE ON
AN INDIVIDUAL LEVEL.
“I contribute to improving the lives of
individuals affected by cleft conditions…
the real reward in my career is witnessing
the growth of cleft craniofacial children,
seeing them attend university, live fulfilling
lives, get married, and achieve important
milestones.”
