Electronic ISSN 2287-0237
Memorial - Dr. Roongtam Ladpli
Dr. Roongtam ladpli was died suddenly by car accident on Sunday 17th November, 2002 at Cha-um, Prachup- kirikhan, Thailand. He was 67 years old.
Dr.Roongtam was born on 28th April,1935 in Bangkok,Thailand.His father,H.E.Phaya Ladpli Thamprakal, a nobleman, was the former judge of the Supreme Court and the Minister of the Royal Department of Justice. He lost his mother since he was young.
He attended the Faculty of Medicine at Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Thailand, graduating with an MD degree with Gold Medal First Class Hon- ors, and achieving Diplomat of Neurological Surgery in 1957. During his residency training in surgery at Siriraj Hospital, Dr. Roongtam was selected to attend a further neurosurgical training program in USA. Before returning to Thailand, Dr. Roongtam had further training in pediatric neurosurgery at the Children Memorial Hospital in Chicago and in neuropathology at the Montefiorre Hospital and Columbia University in New York. Once Dr. Roongtam returned to Bangkok, Thailand, he was appointed as lecturer and neurosurgeon in the Department of Surgery at the Faculty of Medicine,Siriraj Hospital. He taught medical students and residents in surgery and neurosurgery. With his clinical proficiency, in 1967 he was appointed as a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons (FACS). Dr.Roongtam was also fortunate to have the opportunity to do Postdoctoral research in Norway, with the support of NORAD (Norwegian Agency for International Development).
Dr. Roongtam was a person who was very success- ful in his career. He had fourteen royal decorations be- stowed on him by His Majesty the King for his works and good deeds. He was appointed to many important and honorable positions such as being an extraordinary professor of the Faculty of Medicine, Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, an extraordinary professor of the Faculty of Arts, Thammasart University. He was an advisor of the Social Security Office Committee, Ministry of Labor and Social Welfare, an advisor to the Ministry of Health, and a Vice President of the National Olympic Committee of Thailand (NOCT). In all SEA Games, Asian Games, or Olympic Games events, Dr. Roongtam was regularly invited to attend joining the Thai athletic team as a sport medicine doctor. The highest honor and in his life was when he was appointed to be the Personal Royal Physician of His Majesty King Bhumibol of Thailand.
In the last 20 years of his life, Dr. Roongtam truly dedicated the majority of his time to this role, He consis- tently accompanied His Majesty on visits to help people in remote rural areas as well as attending daily func- tions in the Royal Palaces. With sincere friendship, Dr. Prasert Prasarttong-Osoth, the President of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Plc.,sometimes heartily reminded Dr.Roongtam to allocate some portions of time to his family. Nevertheless, Dr. Roongtam insisted earnestly that dedicating his entire life in true attendance upon His Majesty the King was his highest preference.
As a result of continuously supporting the H.M. King’s multifarious duties by providing medical assis- tance to needy people in remote areas, Dr. Roongtam learnt that many people suffered from unhealthiness and disease. In the meantime, even though govern- ment hospitals were equipped with the most up to date medical technologies, their capacities were not adequate enough to support healthcare facilities and give timely services to everyone.. This was the likely inspiration for Dr. Roongtam to establish a private hospital that could provide complete healthcare services which were on a par with government hospital facilities. Consequently in 1960, the first private hospital in Thailand was proud- ly established under the name of Bangkok Hospital, a private hospital where advances in medicine meet with compassion. Dr. Roongtam was one of the founders and he served on the Board of Directors of Bangkok Dusit Medical Services Company Limited (BDMS) - the juristic entity’s name of Bangkok Hospital development towards maximizing patient satisfaction and the enthusiastic ambition to step forward as the top model of Thai private hospitals, Dr. Roongtam desired to differentiate Bangkok Hospital from other general hospitals. He promoted Bangkok Hospital as a private hospital that was specialized in neurological diseases. In consequence, on February 1998, Bangkok Neuro- science Center was established under the leadership of Dr. Roongtam. It was a specialized center with state of the art technologies, highly experienced physicians, and well-trained medical staff. In addition, Bangkok Neuroscience Center was a pioneer in using imported Leksell Gamma Knife technology to help relieve patients who were suffering from brain diseases. At present, Bangkok Hospital has already become an internationally certified leading private hospital in Thailand.
Dr. Roongtam was responsible for granting led the greatest honor and pride to Bangkok Hospital. Due to Dr. Roongtam’s great credibility and his consistent loyalty toward His Majesty King Bhumibol, Bangkok Hospital received the highest prestige and honor when H.M. King Bhumibol formally visited the hospital. 28th May 1997 was a day that would remain in all Bangkok Hospital staff memories forever. The highl respected King had arrived at Bangkok Hospital in the late evening and Dr. Roongtam had the honor to present His Majesty the Leksell Gamma Knife technology. His Majesty the King was very appreciative and was interested to learn its technical and mechanical functions. After demonstrating the Leksell Gamma Knife, Bangkok Hospital and the radiologist team were pleased to have the honor of providing MRI Spine to their beloved King. With his great intuition and genius,H.M. King had many questions regarding his MRI Spine interpretation and human anatomy. Eventually before his departure, His Gracious Majesty granted Dr. Roongtam, Bangkok Hospital’s executives, and medical staff to take the group photos.
With regard to ethics and morals, Dr. Roongtam was a role model for medical professionals. Dr. Pongsak Vid- dayakorn, a BDMS Board of Director and Executive Advisor, complimented Dr. Roongtam, saying that he always mindfully emphasized the patients wellbeing. “To save a patient’s life, no matter of what time it is, the hospital could call Dr. Roongtam 24 hrs. And he would come to the hospital offering treatment immediately.” reported Dr. Pongsak.
One of the many achievements of Dr. Roongtam was his successful removal of a tumor in the brain of dog. This was one of the cases in which Dr. Roongtam had closely worked together with his son, Dr. Parameth Ladpli, also a neurosurgeon. This operation was conducted successfully and smoothly in cooperation with a team of neurosurgeons, Dr. Chirochana Suchato (a radiologist), and a team of veterinarians. This case well deserved to be considered a landmark case in developing further surgical techniques in Thai veterinary medicine.
Another particularity of Dr. Roongtam was his posi- tive attitude towards egg eating. He always encouraged Thai people to eat two eggs every day. He clarified that eggs are a low price ingredient that contains high nutri- tional values. The degree of cholesterol from egg was relatively low compared to its benefits. Egg also helps nourish the human brain, possibly preventing dementia and Alzheimer problems.
As to Dr. Roongtham’s family life, Dr. Roongtam was married to Ms. Jeeranan Sawaittanan,who was Miss Thailand 1964 and 2nd Runner-up Miss Universe 1966. His joyful family life was completely fulfilled by the addition of his three beloved children, Dr. Atinuch Ladpli, Dr. Parameth Ladpli, and Ms. Napawan Ladpli.
