**Dr. Yoong Boon Koon Obituary: Renowned Malaysian Liver Surgeon Remembered for Visionary Leadership and Lifesaving Legacy**

Dr. Yoong Boon Koon was a highly respected hepatobiliary and liver transplant surgeon based at University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC). He was instrumental in establishing their liver surgery program and mentoring countless surgeons in Malaysia. His visionary leadership and clinical acumen played a pivotal role in advancing transplant medicine at UMMC

His expertise extended beyond the operating theatre. Dr. Yoong led research in complex liver procedures, including cholangiocarcinoma management—a deadly bile duct cancer. He co-authored studies highlighting factors that improve patient survival after curative surgery .

🤝 Impact on Patients and Colleagues

To many, Dr. Yoong was more than a surgeon—he was a healer in the fullest sense. He approached each case with empathy, dedication, and a calm confidence that reassured patients facing life-threatening conditions. His legacy includes not only surgical successes but also the thousands of lives he touched through compassionate care.

At UMMC, Dr. Yoong’s influence was felt in daily practice. Colleagues credited him with fostering a culture of excellence and teamwork. He trained and inspired a generation of hepatobiliary surgeons who continue to carry forward his standards of perfection and humanity .

🚨 A Sudden Loss to the Medical Community

In early 2025, Dr. Yoong passed away unexpectedly. His death resonated profoundly—not only at UMMC, but across Malaysia’s surgical and transplant landscape, where his contributions were widely acknowledged and cherished

The loss of such a luminary at the height of his career is a stark reminder of the human fragility behind professional brilliance.

🌟 A Legacy That Lives On

Dr. Yoong’s career was defined by:

• Transformative surgeries: Establishing and enhancing liver transplant and hepatobiliary programs at UMMC.

• Mentorship: Shaping countless surgeons through rigorous training and medical education.

• Research contributions: Co-authoring pivotal studies on cholangiocarcinoma and liver surgery outcomes. His work helped identify how factors like tumor stage and surgical margins influence survival.

• Leadership in patient care: Leading by example in humility, diligence, and compassion.

💬 In Remembrance

Colleagues describe Dr. Yoong as a “hero surgeon”—a man whose brilliance was matched only by his kindness. He once led a groundbreaking liver transplant following a deceased donor, a “miracle” moment he humbly underscored as teamwork and dedication .

Though exact funeral or memorial details have not yet been released, it’s clear his influence will endure through continued practice, mentorship, and research inspired by his life’s work.

🙏 Honoring His Memory

To pay tribute to Dr. Yoong Boon Koon:

• Support surgical training and mentorship initiatives that reflect his commitment to excellence.

• Donate to liver health or transplant research programs, honoring his mission to save lives through innovation.

• Celebrate his legacy by sharing stories of his clinical skill, humanity, and mentorship with future generations.

Final Thoughts

Dr. Yoong Boon Koon’s passing leaves a profound void in medicine. Yet his legacy—a blend of surgical genius, unwavering dedication, and compassionate leadership—will continue to inspire and shape the lives of patients, trainees, and colleagues. Rest in peace, Dr. Yoong. Your vision endures.