Few individuals leave behind a legacy as profound as Dato Dr Godfrey Geh – surgeon, educator, mentor, and the founding force behind what we proudly know as RCSI & UCD Malaysia Campus (RUMC). His lifelong commitment to medicine and education continues to inspire generations of doctors who walk through our doors.
Humble Beginnings and Lifelong Calling
Born in Penang during the tumultuous times of World War II, Dato Dr Geh’s early life was shaped by resilience, love, and the guiding values instilled by his mother, Cheng Cheng Im, and his grandfather, Cheng Tiang-sui. From his mother, he inherited gentleness and kindness from his grandfather, a strong sense of honesty, integrity, and a tireless work ethic. These qualities became the pillars of his personal and professional journey.
At a young age, Dato Dr Geh resolved to pursue medicine. In 1959, he embarked on his studies at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI), graduating in 1965. That same year, he married his childhood sweetheart, Datin Mei Ling, with whom he built a family of four children, three of whom followed in his footsteps into the medical profession.
A Distinguished Medical Career
After completing his postgraduate training in the US and the UK, he earned multiple fellowships, including those of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland, Edinburgh, and England. His career flourished as a consultant general, plastic and cosmetic surgeon with appointments in Penang, Kuala Lumpur, Dublin and the UK.
In 1975, he returned to Penang, where he became a pioneering figure in plastic and reconstructive surgery in Malaysia. Beyond clinical excellence, he played a key role in establishing several medical institutions, including the Loh Guan Lye Specialist Centre, Geh Surgical Centre, and Pantai Hospital Penang, where he served for over 25 years.
Founding Penang Medical College
In the early 1990s, after the relocation of the USM Medical School, Dato Dr Geh envisioned a new medical institution in Penang that would provide world-class training while remaining deeply rooted in Malaysia. With the support of his Irish colleagues from RCSI and UCD (University College Dublin), his vision came to life in 1996 with the founding of Penang Medical College (PMC).
Today, PMC has evolved into RUMC, producing over 2,400 medical graduates with graduates serving in the Malaysian and international medical service. RUMC has expanded its role with the establishment of a family medicine training programme and one of Southeast Asia’s first medical informatics degree.
Honours and Recognition
Dato Dr Geh’s contributions have been widely recognised. He received the prestigious RCSI College Medal in 1998, an honorary fellowship of RCSI, and a fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. In 2015, he became the first Malaysian surgeon to be honoured with his portrait in RCSI’s Corridor of Fame.
In 2023, he retired after decades of service – leaving behind a thriving institution and an enduring impact on the medical landscape.
A Guiding Philosophy
Even in retirement, Dato’ Dr Geh remains a mentor and guiding light. He often shares his philosophy;
“Live and let live. Be good to yourself. Dream big and work hard. Hard work kills nobody. Everything is possible. The impossible takes a little bit longer.”
It is a testament to his enduring belief that medicine is not just a career, but a calling. One rooted in dedication, humility, honesty, and humanity.
As we celebrate Dato Dr Godfrey Geh’s legacy, we honour not just the founder of RUMC, but a visionary who dared to dream and turned that dream into a lasting reality for generations to come.
