Birth date: Sep 10, 1940 Death date: Jan 5, 2019
Donald W.S. Yim, 78, passed away peacefully in the comfort of his home in Kailua on Saturday, January 5, 2019. Born in Honolulu, Hawaii on September 10, 1940 to the late Herbert and Audrey Yim. Donald is survived by children, Andr Read Obituary
Prayers for Dr. Yim and his family. To Andrea and Kathy, thank you for taking care of, and putting up with, me as a patient. Your dad was so much more than a fine doctor. I was blessed to receive not only his ENT expertise, but so much more. The best compliment I can give is that I have tried to emulate him and adopt much of his approach to life.
RIP fellow Domer Dr. Don.
I am much saddened by Don’s passing. We were in surgical residency together and became great friends. When I visited Hawaii, Don invited my whole family to the house and Sylvia had a festive meal for us...those were happy memories. Don completed his general surgery, was board certified and proceeded to ENT as well. He accomplished much in his lifetime, as a surgeon and as a teacher.
I feel very fortunate to have been Don’s colleague and good friend, and now may he Rest In Peace.
Jack H.M.Kwaan,M.D.,FACS
Mahalo and Aloha from the Tripler ENT ‘Ohana:
Dr Yim was so incredibly dedicated, intelligent, professional yet so understated. He took such great care of people (patients and colleagues alike). I can't help but smile and feel immense admiration at his tremendous legacy. Think of all the "stones" he threw into the pond; their ripples continue to spread further and further positively impacting people all over the country. We were very fortunate to have his leadership and guidance.
I feel fortunate to have had him as a professor and friend. He taught me much more than surgical technique or medicine. He taught me to think…criticality… about new technology, about how we decide to do what we do. “Never be the first - never be the last” has served me very well over the years. I have passed it on to hundreds of people. I cannot express my gratitude enough. I can only say that my young residents and partners are passing it on. Thank you for the life lessons Don Yim.
Don Yim was the philosopher-scientist, who was the godfather and soul of a great program. He started having the graduating residents responsible for throwing their end of the year party to foster the mind set of giving back. He dedicated his life to giving back and influenced all that he crossed paths with. His "Yim-isms" are legendary. His smile and joy for life are infectious. Truly a giant among us. The parable of "teach a man to fish" he used to quote so much is well demonstrated in the influence he had. Truly a life well lived. We will miss you Don.
YIM-ISMS
About Residents
Don’t give residents the fish, teach them how to fish.
You should be reading two hours per night at 800 words per minute.
You don’t have histologic eyes.
You MAY want to do this…
We’re training otolaryngologists, not residents.
What I want to tell you is this…
My boundaries are like a picture frame. All behavior within the picture frame is acceptable. The difficulty is in constructing the appropriate size frame.
About patients
Remember, the patient is the one with the disease.
Patients are living textbook.
Does the patient have a crooked nose, or is it a crooked face?
Even patients that love you will sue you. They’ll say that the lawyer made them do it
About Surgery
The most important part of the operation is remembering to breathe.
You must be a good assistant to be a good surgeon.
Yesterday was a time to think, today is the time to cut.
This is not an anatomy lesson.
Identify what you want to preserve, and the rest goes!
If you can’t talk and operate at the same time, don’t talk.
A surgeon’s job is to create bleeding, an assistant’s job is to stop it.
I can tell you like to operate…because this is taking so long!
You have never heard me yell, but if you keep doing what you’re doing, you will!
I still use Dr. Yim’s explanation of statistics. There are group statistics but they don’t necessarily apply to the individual. There are random statistics- that’s 50/50- it’s going to happen or it’s not. Then there are the statistics that apply to you as the patient- if it happens to you it is 100%. This is true.
Colonel/Dr. Yim gave something to all of us and had a deep understanding of human nature. He was a "one-in-a-billion" individual, father figure, surgeon, teacher, leader and patriot. His was a life well-lived. His teachings and mentorship live on in all of us today. Godspeed!
Dr Yim was our beloved Chief of Otolaryngology at Tripler and he taught many of us residents - not only surgery but great lessons in how to live a good life and make the world a better place. We all will miss him. Heartfelt condolences to the Yim family ❤️
It is truly a sad day. As when Sylvia passed as well. Don taught me a lot, as he did all of his residents and fellow staff. I can not express enough gratitude. He helped me think and care more than I might have otherwise done. He and Sylvia, with the Van Sants, established the Tripler ENT ohana, that will hopefully proceed as a legacy to them forever. I will also, personally be ever grateful that Don and Sylvia were god parents to our daughter Rachel. I, with great fondness, remember all of our wonderful clinic lunches and celebrations. But with even more joy, recall the wonderful New Years parties at their home. Don and Sylvia really knew what Aloha was and gave and taught it.
And when our work is done,
Our course on earth is run,
May it be said. "Well done;
Be thou at peace."
Be at peace Don and Sylvia, and may Andrea, Derrick, and Kathleen and their extended families be at peace with loving memories. Aloha, Larry and Carol Zieske
