Dr Joseph Kong

Dr Joseph Cherng Huei Kong is an academic colorectal surgeon with specialist interest in all general and colorectal conditions including anal bleeding, anal pain, anal fissure, anal lesions, haemorrhoid, perianal disease (fistula and abscess), pilonidal sinus, inguinal hernia, femoral hernia, incisional hernias, diverticular disease, inflammatory bowel disease, rectal prolapse, colorectal cancer (primary and recurrent), small bowel cancer, appendiceal cancer and peritoneal cancers. He obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in 2006 from University of Auckland and completed his surgical training at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne. He became a Fellow of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2015.

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In order to ensure he is well trained in the practice of his choosing, he first undertook a Master of Surgery at the University of Melbourne in 2010 with a focus in biostatistics, epidemiology and colorectal surgical outcomes. During his candidature, he developed a risk mortality model for major colorectal surgery and graduated with first class honours (H1). This further stems his desire to become a clinician scientist. In Feb 2015, he embarked in a PhD at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and was integrated into the Ramsay Translational Laboratory doing basic translational research on colorectal cancer immunology. He discovered a novel test to predict individual patient response to chemoradiotherapy for rectal cancer and was a finalist in the Category of Improving Healthcare Through Clinical Research by the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards in 2019.

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Dr Kong returned to a formal subspecialty training with the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ). He completed a 2-year accredited colorectal fellowship at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane and Alfred Hospital, Melbourne, in which he had the opportunity to specifically train in laparoscopic colorectal surgery, cytoreductive surgery and trauma as both hospitals are major trauma centres in its respective state. 

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To further consolidate and refine his knowledge and skills, Dr Kong underwent a further fellowship at MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA, a world-reknowned center in cancer care, with high volume, complex and advanced colorectal cases. There he trained in robotic colorectal surgery and pelvic exenteration.

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He is now a consultant colorectal surgeon at Cabrini Hospital (Malvern, Brighton and Hawthorn), and Alfred Hospital and Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. He is a Senior Research Fellow at Monash University and being supported by two fellowships; the Discovery Partner Fellowship and Foundation for Surgery Research Fellowship to continue his research in colorectal cancer. He is currently the head of a translational research laboratory called Colorectal Cancer Immunology Laboratory at Burnet Institute and he has a research team consisting of post-doctoral scientist, research assistants and PhD students. He remains devoted to mentoring trainees and young academic surgeons. He strives to improve patient care through new discovery and innovation.