Chair of Department of Medicine Dr. Joseph Cheung Lauded at Investiture Ceremony

“Triple threat” was the phrase of the day at the investiture of Joseph Cheung, MD, PhD, as the Richard Laylord and Dorothy L. Evans Chair in Medicine. Roundly praised by speakers as an exceptional clinician, scientist and teacher, Dr. Cheung joined Temple in 2012 and was appointed Chair of Medicine the following year.

“There are so few triple threats left these days – physicians like Joe who are master clinicians, outstanding researchers and superb teachers,” said Arthur Feldman, MD, PhD, Executive Dean of the School of Medicine. “He is also a wonderful role model for students and junior faculty members.”

“Joe is one of the most distinguished and accomplished physicians at Temple, and it’s nearly impossible to imagine this place without him,” said Larry Kaiser, MD, Dean of Temple University School of Medicine and CEO of Temple University Health System. “Physician leaders like Joe allow us to do what we do.”

Other speakers at the investiture included Susan Fisher, MS, PhD, Chair of Clinical Sciences and Director of the Temple Clinical Research Institute, and Paul Bray, MD, a friend and former colleague of Dr. Cheung who is the Director of Hematology at the Sidney Kimmel Medical College at Thomas Jefferson University.

“We have heard about Joe’s clinical and academic achievements today, but I want to tell you what it’s like having him as a colleague,” said Dr. Fisher. “I remember interviewing with Joe three years ago and that conversation still rings in my ears. He was fired up about Temple’s progress and future. His commitment was contagious and my first impression of him hasn’t lost its glow.”

“I would go beyond the phrase ‘triple threat’ and say that Joe is a quadruple threat because he is helping changing the face of healthcare … or maybe even a quintuple threat if you take into account his leadership qualities,” said Dr. Bray. “He is someone who always leads by example, and his enthusiasm and optimism makes people want to work with him.”

For his part, Dr. Cheung was modest in his remarks, commenting that he “didn’t recognize the person the speakers were talking about.” He went on to thank the Evans Foundation for its continuing support and shared his vision for the future of the Department of Medicine – including clinical growth, an enhanced research mission, and the continued nurturing of junior faculty members.

“I feel a tremendous duty to my department and faculty,” he said. “The Evans Foundation has been a great supporter of our junior faculty members – they are our lifetime to the future.”

The Evans Foundation is a private foundation dedicated specifically to advancing the mission of Temple’s Department of Medicine. It was founded nearly 30 years ago and has provided invaluable support for research pursuits, enabling Temple to respond to emergent health trends and needs. The foundation and the Temple chair are named for Richard L. Evans, the founder and owner of Highway Materials Corporation in Montgomery County, and his wife Dorothy, who toward the end of her life was immensely grateful for the care she received at Temple.