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SINGAPORE – Renowned veteran gynecologist Yvonne Marjorie Salmon, who served 44 years at the former Kandang Kerbau Hospital and was involved in Singapore’s first surgery to separate Siamese twins in 1961, died on October 28.
He was 94 years old.
Dr. Salmon, the longest-serving physician at Kandang Kerbau Hospital, now KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), was the highest-ranking obstetrics and gynecology (O&G) specialist in the civil service when she retired in 1996.
She was also the first woman to head the hospital’s O&G department in 1975.
In 1961, Dr. Salmon was one of two doctors who successfully separated a pair of Siamese twins in Singapore. But one of the twins died hours after surgery due to an infection.
In 2003, Dr. Salmon reunited with the surviving twin, Karen Yong.
In a Facebook tribute last Friday (October 30), KKH said that Dr. Salmon was highly respected and well loved by her friends, colleagues, students, and patients.
“We will cherish the wonderful memories we have of her as we honor the extraordinary person she was. She will be remembered as a loving friend, a visionary leader, an extraordinary mentor and an outstanding physician,” KKH added in the post.
Having given birth to many baby boomers, Dr. Salmon, who never married, told The Straits Times in 2003 that she had vivid memories of the times when more than 100 babies were born every day in 1966.
“We put two or three beds together and made the mothers lie on them crosswise, a neighborhood record,” he told ST at the time.
According to the book The History of Obstetrics and Gynecology in Singapore, Dr. Salmon became a clinical professor at the University of Singapore in 1977, now the National University of Singapore.
Professor Kelvin Tan, director of KKH’s epidemiology and perinatal audit unit, said Dr. Salmon taught him when he was a medical student and that he has fond memories of her.
“She was totally dedicated to her work and had inspired generations of young physicians, many of whom took O&G and became heads of units and departments.
“She was always cheerful and kind … She had a strong faith, and when I visited her after her retirement, ‘Kelvin’ would always greet me, with a bright and sparkling smile,” added Professor Tan.
The second vice president of the Eurasian Association, Ms Yvonne Pereira, said that Dr. Salmon gave birth to her second child in 1982 and, at the time, the renowned gynecologist was “a much sought after and familiar name.”
“Personally, I remember that she was kind, kind, caring and, most importantly, she made me feel comfortable throughout the pregnancy. She has paved the way and is a role model for the many Eurasians who practice medicine today.” added Ms. Pereira.
Dr. Salmon’s father, the late Dr. SR Salmon, was also a pioneer in the Singapore O&G scene. She ran the Salmon Maternity Home at 110 Prinsep Street from 1950 until it ceased operations in the 1980s.
Dr. Salmon’s cremation service at Mandai Crematorium was held on Friday and a memorial service at 110 Prinsep Street on Monday (November 2).
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