Frits Tjong-Ayong

Frits Tjong-Ayong
Frits Tjong-Ayong at Groningen in 1949
Born
Frits André Tjong Ayong

(1912-01-13)January 13, 1912
Paramaribo, Suriname
DiedDecember 23, 1993(1993-12-23) (aged 81)
Paramaribo, Suriname
NationalitySurinamese
Other namesFrits Tjong Ayong
Occupation(s)Surgeon and hospital director
SpousePaulina Comvalius (m. 1937)
Children5
Academic background
Alma materUniversity of Groningen
ThesisProstatectomia retropubica extra-vesicalis volgens van Stockum-Millin (1949)
Doctoral advisorLeendert Eerland
Academic work
InstitutionsSint Vincentius Hospital (hospital director, 1938–1981)

Frits André Tjong Ayong (Paramaribo, January 13, 1912 – Paramaribo, December 23, 1993; also known as Frits Tjong-Ayong) was a Surinamese surgeon and urologist. He was the father of writer and poet Carry-Ann Tjong Ayong and uncle of composer and pianist Majoie Hajary.

Biography

He was born into the Tjong Ayong family as the youngest son of Willem Tjong Ayong and Carolina Esse. He completed his medical training at the University of Groningen under Professor Leendert Eerland, under whom he received his doctorate as a surgeon and urologist on April 4, 1949. His thesis was Prostatectomia retropubica extra-vesicalis volgens van Stockum-Millin ("Prostatectomia retropubica extra-vesicalis according to van Stockum-Millin").[1] One of his papers was "Suriname heeft behoefte aan volledig en modern opgeleide specialisten" ("Suriname needs fully and modernly trained specialists").[2] In 1937, he married Paulina Comvalius, daughter of Samuel Henriquez de Granada. They had five children.

From August 1, 1938 to 1981, Tjong Ayong was the director of the Sint Vincentius Hospital in Paramaribo.[3] He was the first hospital director of Chinese descent in Suriname.[4] Under his leadership, many improvements were implemented, training programs for nurses and midwives were established, and expansions were made.

Legacy

He died at the age of 81 in Paramaribo. Erwin de Vries made a bust of him, which stands in the hall of the Sint Vincentius Hospital, and painted him several times.[4] At Flora resort in Paramaribo District, Dr. F. Tjong Ayong Street is named after him.

References

  1. ^ Tjong Ayong, Frits André (1949). "Prostatectomia retropubica extra-vesicalis volgens van Stockum-Millin". de research portal van de Rijksuniversiteit Groningen (in Dutch). Retrieved 2025-08-15.
  2. ^ Nieuwsberichten. Proefschrift Dr.Tjong Ayong, Paramaribo, 1949-05-25, retrieved 2025-08-15{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  3. ^ Dr. Tjong Ayong morgen 40 jaar de direkteur St. Vincentius Ziekenh., Paramaribo, 1978-07-31, retrieved 2025-08-15{{citation}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link)
  4. ^ a b "Frits Tjong-Ayong eerste Chinese ziekenhuisdirecteur". de Ware Tijd (in Dutch). 2024-01-19. Retrieved 2025-08-15.