Sabah doctor wins award at World Cup of Endoscopy
Malaysian pride: Dr Emmanuel presenting a video of his award-winning endoscopic procedure for the World Cup of Endoscopy in San Diego, California.
KOTA KINABALU: When Dr James Emmanuel took centre stage at the World Cup of Endoscopy during the Digestive Disease Week in San Diego, California, he achieved many firsts for Malaysia.
A consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist from Sabah's Queen Elizabeth Hospital (QEH), he is the first Malaysian to represent the country for the event and took home the coveted Best of the Best Award for his medical method.
The video of his award-winning case featured a scarless, minimally-invasive procedure to remove gastrointestinal tumours without open surgery – a first-of-its-kind approach performed at QEH in August last year.
'We had no precedent for this. It was uncharted territory. But it worked.
'We submitted the video not just to share knowledge but also to offer hope for patients worldwide,' he said.
The 41-year-old Kuala Lumpur-born stood out not only for his groundbreaking submission but also for wearing traditional Kadazandusun attire.
It was an homage to Sabah and its rich cultural heritage in front of more than 20,000 leading medical professionals.
The medical technique was born from a collaborative effort between Dr Emmanuel, a hepatobiliary surgeon, and an interventional radiologist, showcasing the power of interdisciplinary teamwork within Sabah's public healthcare system.
'This win is not mine alone. It is for every Malaysian, every Sabahan and every patient who inspires us to keep pushing the limits of medicine,' he said.
The World Cup of Endoscopy featured eight of the best global submissions in diagnostic and therapeutic endoscopy.
While the top award went to a doctor from India for another scarless gastric tumour removal technique, and the Mel Shapiro Award was won by Johns Hopkins Hospital, Dr Emmanuel's entry stood out for its clinical innovation and spirit of collaboration.
'Several delegates told us they were amazed by how smoothly our gastroenterology, surgery and radiology teams worked together.
'One doctor from the Cleveland Clinic even said such synergy would be hard to replicate elsewhere. That really affirmed the value of what we've built here,' he said.
Though winning was a proud moment, Dr Emmanuel said the real reward was hearing how their work inspired others around the world.
'It reminded me of my mum's words: with heart and teamwork, you can achieve more than you ever thought possible,' he said.
Dr Emmanuel's choice of traditional attire was also a personal tribute, coinciding with Sabah's month-long Harvest Festival.
'It was my way of saying thank you.
'After more than a decade working in Sabah, I wanted to honour our cultural heritage and bring a piece of home with me to the world stage,' he said.
The proudest moment, however, came when Dr Emmanuel dedicated his award to his late mother, Maria Elizabeth Fernandez, who passed away just two months ago.
'She would have turned 80 this June. She was more than a mother. She was a teacher, a giver, a pillar of strength.
'She offered free education to underprivileged children and was a voice for the voiceless.
'She changed lives through kindness,' he said.
Fernandez taught at La Salle Sentul School for many years and helped raise not just her own children but also nieces and nephews, providing them with love and opportunity.
'My mother's passing left a profound void. But her spirit, generosity and legacy live on. I dedicate this award to her, this Mother's Day and always,' said Dr Emmanuel.
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