On 20th May 2019, Mr. Leung, our vice-principal, gave us an important message about humility through the tragic life story of Dr. Ignaz Semmelweis, a Hungarian obstetrician who was considered the “savior of mothers”. Mr. Leung explained that Dr. Semmelweis was a genius in using scientific method to isolate the cause of Puerperal Fever, the number one killer in child delivery ward at that time. Through his careful observation, Dr. Semmelweis first conceptualized the existence of disease-casing particles, germs, and developed very simple antiseptic procedures that drastically increased the survival rate of mothers during childbirths. Yet for his arrogance and those of his contemporaries, his discovery was not widely accepted in his life time until much later. Mr. Leung challenged us to work with others with a humble heart. To be humble and gentle when communicating is difficult when we are so eager to show others that we are right. But until we learn to do so, our geniuses might just be stumbling blocks for us and for others.
