me+SH issue 01 FY11

ISSUE 01/FY11

Duke-NUS Report Card

IN THIS ISSUE

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A SingHealth Staff Publication

I AM Academic Medicine

SingHealth Excellence Awards

PIONEERS

MEDICINEOF

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30 Take5 : Dr Toh Han Chong

Lvme + Living

30

me+SingHealth or me+SH (pronounced /mesh/) represents who we are in SingHealth—as

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MICA(P) 028/04/2011

SingHealth Editorial TeamTan-Huang Shuo Mei

Amelia Champion

Katheryn Maung

Arthur Wong

Stephanie Jade Arlindita

Rozlin bte Othman

Pepper GlobalAlvin Ee

Richard Soh

Michael Koek

75B Pagoda Street

Singapore 059234

Tel: +65 6221 1286

Photography for cover and

home feature:

A Pixels Photography Pte Ltd

Copywriters: Monica Lim

and Debbie Chia

I AM Academic Medicine

03 I AM Caring

04 I AM Teaching

05 I AM Innovating

15 Attracting talents

22 International faces at SingHealth

Special Report

Duke-NUS Pioneer Batch

06 Duke-NUS report card

10 Dukies on campus

CONTENTS

f

Slme + Spotlight

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16 Visionary Leader

17 Champion of Change

18 People Leader

19 Distinguished Educator

20 Distinguished Mentor

21 Distinguished Researcher

Clinician Scientist Awards

24 Dr Tina Wong

25 A/Prof Marcus Ong

26 Dental research in NDC

28 IT in SingHealth

36 Announcement & contests

Hrme + Horizon

36

01 Dr Mimi Yow — The First Steps

02 On the Cover : Pioneers of Medicine

Academic

Medicine

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34 Work-life balance

Members of the SingHealth Group

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THE FIRST STEPS

DR MIMI YOW Senior Consultant, Department of Orthodontics

Co-director, Orthodontic Residency Program

Chairperson, SingHealth-Duke-NUS Oktoberfest

(2008-10)

Guest Editor

“The fi rst steps you take on any journey Won’t get you where you want to go.But without those fi rst steps And the many more that follow,You would always be standing right where you are,Looking towards the future and wondering What it would really be likeTo see the world the way you always dreamed it could be.” Nick Santana (author)

P ioneers are sighted with visions that sense a direction into the future.

The pioneering spirit defi es the order of things, to take that fi rst step to

dare to do things differently. But what is more important is the renewal

of the desire to constantly take those fi rst steps.

Traditions spawn campus cohesion. Camaraderie and a spirit of the campus

are fostered and slowly woven by the warp and weft into its social fabric; our

own SingHealth and Duke-NUS collaboration in Oktoberfest evokes this spirit.

Formal or informal gatherings are potent crucibles on campus, to spark off

and blaze new trails, to push the frontiers of medicine into the future and

beyond. When hospital staff, faculty, residents and students get a chance to

know one another, it engages a diversity of minds and expertise. By bouncing

wild ideas off each other, the curious and the creative will fi nd answers to

many medical mysteries.

Competence in healthcare demands more than theories, facts and skills.

It requires a translation of hard sciences to the heart of medicine. Medical

practice has much to do with having a heart in the right place and a passion

in purpose to restore health and the well-being of patients. There is healing

when hearts and minds connect in compassion, and communicate with

concern. There is no panacea to replace the human touch in healing.

To practise is a privilege and this privilege is the torch passed on to the

cohort of pioneers in medicine, the fi rst graduates of the Duke-NUS Graduate

Medical School. As with all pioneers, much expectation is heaped upon them:

to use their heads, hands and hearts to light a new dawn and to forge a new

era in medicine. We look forward to many pioneering footsteps that will inspire

the trampling of new paths ahead.

Location: Machu Picchu, Peru

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A/PROF LOO CHIAN MINAdjunct Associate Professor,

Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

“A pioneer is someone who does something different and makes a difference to others. A pioneer has the courage to face the challenge and know that he will succeed.”

A/Prof Loo, along with other clinicians

from SingHealth institutions, are the

teaching faculty that guide students

in their clinical rounds and facilitate

classes in Duke-NUS.

Teaching the students bring about

“very diverse points of views because

the students come from different

backgrounds.”

A/Prof Loo recounts his encounter with

Liming and her classmates.

“We were in the Intensive Care Unit

discussing about medications, then

Liming went on to describe in great

details the dose, indication, and side

effects of the drugs. I was wowed!

“Someone then whispered that Liming

was a pharmacist before she took up

medicine!”

A/Prof Loo wishes that “this graduating

batch would excel in whatever fi eld

they choose to do and in the end

surpass us, their teachers.”

Read more about A/Prof Loo’s love for

teaching in page 4.

ONG LIMINGPioneer graduating batch student,

Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School

“Four years in Duke-NUS has allowed me to fi nd my desired career path. It also developed my reasoning and thinking skills, which are very useful in my career in medicine”

Liming described A/Prof Loo as a very

encouraging mentor that never fails to

highlight practicality and emphasise

patient care when he teaches.

Not limited to the science of medicine,

Liming has also learned much through

voluntary services she organised as

Community Service President during

her time in Duke-NUS.

Studying medicine brings together

what she enjoys most together —

people and science.

After graduating, Liming will be doing

her residency in Pediatrics in KK

Women’s and Children’s Hospital.

“I am really excited to be graduating

soon and having my own patients to

care for!”

Find out more about the Duke-NUS

students’ journey in pages 10-13.

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The partnership between Duke-NUS and SingHealth will bear its fi rst fruits this May, as the fi rst batch of students graduate and start their careers as doctors.

PIONEERS OF MEDICINE:DUKE-NUS’ FIRST BATCH OF GRADUATES

ON THE COVER

Ms Ong Liming, A/Prof Loo Chian Min


Academic

Medicine

They say it takes one to know one, and in Dr Esther Chuwa’s case it can’t be more true.

Having to cope with her mother’s diagnosis of cancer at the young age of 17, Dr Chuwa is in the perfect position to help her patients.

She works at the Breast Unit of KKH as a breast surgeon, shouldering the responsibility of delivering the bad news and then treating women diagnosed with breast cancer.

“It’s easier for me being a female because I can hold their hand, talk to them and listen to their response. Then I reassure them that we are capable of treating them well despite it being breast cancer,” relates Dr Chuwa.

After delivering the unfortunate news, the next step for her is to educate the patient on their illness.

“Having experienced it fi rst hand, it helps me emphatise with my patients and their families. That’s why I spend a lot of time explaining what cancer care entails.

“I’m all for patient education, and I think they need to know what they’re in for. I want them to be provided with the right information and be empowered to make the right decisions for their treatment to prevent recurrence,” she affi rmed.

But a doctor has to treat more than the body. Dr Chuwa is also concerned with the minds and spirits of her patients. That is why she actively advocates improving the psychosocial aspects of breast cancer patients through a structured, evidence-based breast cancer support group.

Set up in 2008, Alpine Blossoms is a support group with various stages of care for patients from diagnosis, through treatment and even beyond recovery.

Realising that the most vulnerable time for breast cancer survivors is after they complete their treatment, Alpine Blossoms provides a series of programmes so that patients do not feel like they’ve been left alone.

Not just scraping the surface of psychological support, Alpine Blossoms also implements information support with educational programmes and workshops.

As to how important this support is to her patients, Dr Chuwa puts it simply, ‘how well you live as a cancer survivor is probably as important as how long you’re going to live’.

CaringDr Esther ChuwaConsultant, Breast Unit, KKH

The I AM series profi les SingHealth staff who are key drivers of Academic Medicine — those who through their outstanding contributions help defi ne tomorrow’s Medicine.

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Academic

Medicine

A /Prof Loo Chian Min is a very busy man. In two days he’s seen numerous patients, undergone

two photoshoots, one interview, several meetings, and a whole lot of emails on his Blackberry.

But from the hurried footsteps and packed schedules comes an equally energetic fervor for medical education.

As many doctors before him, A/Prof Loo places great importance on teaching.

It was 1990. A then Dr Loo, fresh out of medical school, was faced with a patient who had just collapsed. It was also his fi rst day on call.

The patient’s blood pressure was dropping, he was getting increasingly breathless; the ECG began to slow and then eventually stopped. The young doctor panicked.

“It was really terrifying, but fortunately the Medical Offi cer (MO) on call that day was very calm and collected. He took care of the situation and was the main person behind the resuscitation.

“He set a good example and I learnt the importance of being calm and collected in the face of an emergency,” he recalled.

Such is the environment that A/Prof Loo hopes to bring to medical education in SingHealth. From the textbooks to the wards, the passing of knowledge and wisdom from doctor to doctor ensures the continued progession of patient care.

Perhaps it was the impressive show of example by the MO that also inspired

A/Prof Loo to embark on teaching the pioneer batch of Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School students in 2006, who graduates this year (read about them in pages 6-14).

He is naught but proud of his pioneer batch.

“I am glad to say that the faculty has done well and we would want all the students to be our residents because we have a lot of confi dence and are very happy with them.

“This is also something that will spur the faculty on and hopefully produce future batches that will surpass the fi rst.”

A/Prof Loo sees this milestone as a team effort by the faculty at both SGH and Duke-NUS — who have studied, planned and modifi ed the curriculum of their students from day one.

He thinks it will also be a team effort that brings medical education into the future.

“We must see education as part and parcel of our work as clinicians — just like our ward rounds and clinics. I feel that education should be like second nature to us, and we have the responsibility to push ourselves a little more to train new doctors that will surpass the current generation.”

With a team of clinician educators supporting him at SingHealth, A/Prof Loo’s vision of medical education may be realised sooner than he thinks.

Teaching

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A/PROF LOO CHIAN MINHead and Senior Consultant, Department of Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine, SGHAdjunct Associate Professor, Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore


Academic

Medicine

Innovating

It takes a certain kind of passion to delve into the realm of medical research. A researcher has to be

relentless in his pursuit as well as creative in his methods, working for the greater purpose of tomorrow’s Medicine.

Meet Dr William Hwang. He specialises in the study of blood.

Cord blood to be exact. And it’s got Dr Hwang all excited.

“Blood stem cell transplant has traditionally been restricted by the fact that you must need a full-matching donor, which not every one can fi nd.

“Cord blood transplantation has expanded the number of donors we have available and many more patients can fi nd the match that they need,” Dr Hwang explained.

One limitation of this method is the relatively small amounts of cord blood cells that can be transplanted.

At the helm of the research at the Singapore General Hospital, the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Singapore Cord Blood Bank, Dr Hwang and his team plan to change that by trying to increase the number of cells available for infusion by expanding them in culture.

But research can sometimes be defeating – successes are sown from dozens of failed attempts. For example, in a recent cord blood transplantation

study in the laboratory, when two cord blood units were infused into mice, the cord blood unit that was expanded in culture “lost” to the unexpanded unit.

However, Dr Hwang believes that even in failure there are lessons to be learnt.

“Failure is part of research. The reason we do it is to fi nd out if something would work. When experiments don’t work or have the outcome that you expected it can be quite daunting.

“Sometimes amidst the failure, if you look at it carefully, there is actually a hidden meaning behind the results and it tells you something afresh,” he said.

When his team looked at the results, they were delighted to fi nd that even though the expanded cord blood “lost”, it somehow managed to help the unexpanded cord grow much better.

When they looked deeper, they found that this was likely because of properties of the expanded cells.

“It wasn’t what we expected, but on the other hand the experiment went very well — the expanded cord blood cells somehow helped the non-expanded cells to engraft. We also found later that human clinical trials showed similar results,” Dr Hwang said.

And that is his bottom line — that eventually patients will be the ones benefi ting from his research.

DR WILLIAM HWANGMedical Director, Singapore Cord Blood BankSenior Consultant, Department of Haematology, SGH

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By Monica Lim

Duke-NUS pioneer bat

ch students

(L-R) Kare

n Nadua,

Lim Kheng Choon

and Ong Lim

ing, pictured h

ere with

Dean Prof

Ranga Krishn

an.

”It seems like o

nly yesterday

that the scho

ol started. Time

has fl own by an

d now the students a

re ready to fl

y on the

next phase of

their journey to

become phys

icians! We are

very proud of w

hat the students h

ave achieved an

d for the

many faculty and

staff who hav

e helped make thi

s a reality.”

- Prof Ranga Kr

ishnan, Dean

28 May will be a special date for Duke-NUS Graduate Medical

School. It is when its fi rst crop of graduates, groomed from the

partnership betwen SingHealth and Duke-NUS, will bear fruit.

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For the longest time,

medical education has

been considered a sacred

cow. So when Duke-NUS

decided to take a radical

approach, it met with skepticism

from many quarters.

“We felt we had a great idea,” Dr

Sandy Cook, Senior Associate Dean,

Curriculum Development of Duke-

NUS said candidly. “But there was

no precedence for this strategy and

we were really going by faith that it

would work.”

Now, four years on, with the pioneer

intake of Duke-NUS students ready

to graduate in May 2011, they have

earned the right to say with every

certainty that their staunch belief in

the program has been well placed.

The results achieved by the

students have been nothing short

of outstanding, exceeding all

expectations.

In the International Foundations of

Medicine Examination, two Duke-

NUS students emerged among the

top ten of about 2,000 candidates

from around the world. Some 34%

of the class scored within the top

10% of the exam, and received a

certifi cate of excellence.

Similarly in the United States

Medical Licensing Examination,

Duke-NUS students scored above

the US national average, even

impressing their counterparts from

Duke, Durham. In fact, Duke has

already sent several faculty to study

the pedagogy of Duke-NUS, with

every intention of applying the same

methodology back home.

Preliminary data at KKH has also

shown that, to everyone’s surprise,

patients liked having the medical

students attend to them because

the students had more time to

listen to their stories and had better

continuity of care with them. This in

turn, means more holistic and better

care.

With SingHealth progressing

towards academic medicine and

Duke-NUS moving in tandem, it

looks like a perfect partnership has

been born.

So what sets Duke-NUS apart from

other medical schools?

Celebrate and Leverage on Student Diversity

Duke-NUS welcomes students

from varied backgrounds and

educational qualifi cations.

Duke-NUS students have

already earned Bachelors,

Masters and PhDs in a variety

of areas from the arts and

humanities to science and

engineering.

This, according to Prof Bob Kamei,

Vice-Dean of Education, Duke-NUS,

is one of the key strengths of the

program.

“If you’re going to be on the leading

edge of medical science, you have to

look at problems in new ways,” he

explains.

“I remember sitting in the fi rst year

class and a student, who was a

nurse, was able to see a problem

from a much more patient-centric

d

t

has

rom

age

Prof Bob Kamei, Vice-Dean of Education

point of view than the other students

who had little previous experience

with patients.

People mistakenly think medical

training as a graduate student is

an “education startover”. It’s not.

They’re bringing their wealth of

experience to the training and

adding medical training to it.

This is where the value lies. And with

learning done in teams, the students

bring these diverse backgrounds to

help educate their team mates.”

These students hail from different

countries and among them are

two world-class sailors, a Peabody

scholar who has competed at the

prestigious International Frederic

Chopin Piano Competition, a world

class fencer and a chess champion.

To Prof Kamei, these achievements

are examples of the students’

creativity and mettle.

“We don’t just want the straight A

student. Problem-solving is more

than following best practices by

memorising facts; it takes passion,

dedication and the ability to see

a problem from different angles.

That’s why we look for people who

are multi-dimensional.”

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“We don’t just want the straight A student. Problem-solving is more than following best practices by memorising facts, it takes passion, dedication and the ability to see a problem from different angles. That’s why we look for people who are multi-dimensional.” — Prof Bob Kamei, Vice-Dean of Education


The Power of Team-based Learning

At Duke’s campus in the US, it was found that attendance at lectures had been dwindling, since students prefer to watch the video lectures at their own time outside of the classroom. Student feedback revealed that while they studied much of the “whats” and “hows” in their medical training, they did not always understand the “whys”. They didn’t understand how the science they were learning actually applied to clinical medicine.

Thus began a massive exercise and opportunity for Duke-NUS to re-design a different form of teaching, to provide students with a better educational experience. The result was TeamLEAD – a ground-breaking approach utilising the team-based learning concept.

Instead of attending a class to amass information, students at Duke-NUS are expected to do independent learning before they attend a class.

This allows students the fl exibility of studying at their own pace – an important factor especially since the students hold vastly different pockets of existing knowledge. For instance, a PhD holder in micro-biology will have pre-knowledge of certain modules compared to someone with an anthropology major.

In class, students sit for a Readiness Assurance Test, to assess their understanding of key concepts both as individuals and as a team.

Established clinicians partner with basic scientists as faculty to facilitate discussions where teams can pose additional questions and other teams are assigned to answer them. Students then move to a practical application of the material through problem-solving activities. They are allowed to use textbooks and the internet to

quickly answer questions they don’t know or facts they don’t remember that are necessary to solve these problems.

The active engagement of students means much higher-level discussions, moving away from basic concepts and delving into the “whys” of medicine.

Dr Cook admits that the debate is sometimes so challenging, even the faculty themselves are stumped!

“But this is excellent because as doctors and teachers, the worst scenario is to think that we have all the answers. The best doctors and teachers continue learning all the time.”

Studies have shown that students learn best by teaching and interacting with each other, instead of passively from a lecturer. TeamLEAD harnesses that power and translates it into results. As Prof Kamei succinctly puts it, “To teach is to learn twice.”

“The best doctors and teachers continue learning all the time.”

— Dr Sandy Cook

or

The Man Behind The TeamA paediatrician by training, Prof Bob Kamei had the largest general pediatric practice at the University of California, San Francisco, when he was asked to become the Director of the residency training program and take overall responsibility for the training of the pediatrics residents.

When he expressed concern over taking this role and giving up time to treat his patients, his mentor replied, “Bob, by training residents, you will be helping treat their patients.”

Having trained approximately 450 paediatricians over a period of 17 years, Prof Kamei is a fervent believer in the impact of teaching. “Physicians have a social commitment to pass on the knowledge,” he expounds. “I fi nd it inspiring to be around brilliant minds and my students spur me to improve.”

The next step for Prof Kamei is to implement Team-based Learning into clinical training.

fcoa

Satau

Dr Sandy Cook, Senior Associate Dean,

Curriculum Development

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Caring for Future DoctorsAt Duke-NUS, students are nurtured with the same warm and personalised

approach that they experience in their learning. Students here are not just

faceless entities. In fact, many of them are known by name even to those in

the School’s top management.

Senior doctors are appointed as College Masters to look after student needs

beyond academics. “Our faculty are engaged with our students in many

ways, including coaching, advising, assessing, and encouraging” said Dr

Craig Stenberg, Associate Dean of Student Affairs and Admissions. Financial

concerns are also taken care of, with a team ensuring that needy students

receive support.

“This is to ensure an environment where everyone is actively engaged in

learning, where questioning is encouraged, where learners are from diverse

backgrounds, where innovation and entrepreneurship is encouraged, where

everyone is supported and challenged.”

Set out to Groom Clinician-Scientists

“A good doctor has clinical skills and knowledge. A great doctor uses that knowledge to improve the practice of medicine. Duke-NUS students all have signs of becoming great

doctors.”

One of the hallmarks of the Duke-

NUS curriculum is its emphasis on

research. Instead of the traditional

two years on basic science that

US medical schools undertake,

Duke spends just one year on basic

science (Year 1). The additional

time is allocated to research in

Year 3, something that is becoming

increasingly important in medical

science, especially in Asia.

“We used to think that we can rely on

the research of other countries and

just apply them here,” explained Prof

Kamei.

“But for example in Asia, we’re

fi nding that patients react very

differently to medicine than those in

US and UK. Another example, why is

there such a high level of diabetes in

Singapore?

What’s special about the disease

pattern here? If we don’t do research

in Singapore, we will not be able to

fi nd these answers and improve the

way we practise medicine here.”

“It is much easier just to care for

patients,” clarifi es Prof Kamei,

“At Duke-NUS, we want to groom

academic physicians who improve

the care of patients, which is a much

bigger goal.”

Dr Cook adds, “A good doctor has

clinical skills and knowledge. A

great doctor uses that knowledge

to improve the practice of medicine.

Duke-NUS students all have signs of

becoming great doctors.”

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Photos courtesy of Duke-NUS

Photo on page 6 by Tang Yew Chung, Duke-NUS


How did you feel on your fi rst day as a medical student?Eunizar Omar (EO): I was nervous and

wondered if I would be able to cope but

also felt very blessed and privileged to

have been so warmly welcomed into

the Duke-NUS family.

Daniel Yong (DY): Excited that I was

embarking on a whole new journey!

How were TeamLEAD sessions like to you? EO: TeamLEAD sessions were often

intense and sometimes very heated,

but usually a healthy exchange

between faculty and students.

DY: Besides sharing knowledge, we

also have to maximise each other’s

“skills” and balance team dynamics.

It can be both fun and frustrating at

times. I was glad that I had a team to

help me with learning.

What fi rst year moment was particularly memorable to you?EO: The donor memorial ceremony. It

reminds me to be thankful to patients

and their families, who, despite

their sufferings have put aside their

needs and willingly helped us on our

journey to becoming good doctors.

The first year at Duke-NUS is a rigorous immersion in the basic sciences; the building blocks of medicine. History and physical examinations are integrated with the basic science content being studied. In this way, students are fully prepared to begin their clinical rotations in the second year.

me+SH follows the journey of fi ve students who were in the pioneering Duke-NUS class of 2007

DUKIES ON CAMPUS

EUNIZAR OMAR If I were a superhero… I would like to be able to manipulate time. I could slow time down if I needed more of it or fast forward through boring or painful moments. I could also rewind time to review and change past mistakes.

YEAR 1:Igniting the Spirit

DANIEL YONG If I were a superhero… I would want to be like Wolverine. Soft and furry on the outside, but made of titanium inside.

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Why did you decide to become a doctor? My undergraduate degree in

bioengineering gave me a glimpse

into the world of medicine through

courses in anatomy and physiology

and working on medical devices and

biomaterials. It was towards the end of

my course that I realised that I wanted

to be involved in patient care in a more

direct manner.

Can you describe your experience in your medical clerkship? My medical clerkship in the second

year was the fi rst time that I was

directly in charge of patients and

responsible for reporting their

progress to the team. My team

strongly believed in teaching

and would pause to explain the

complexities of diagnoses and

management plans despite their

busy schedules. This is something

that I will always be grateful for and

will endeavour to recreate a similar

learning environment whenever I have

the opportunity.

Tell us a bit about your work in second year with Prof Lim Shih Hui, your neurology clerkship leader!Prof Lim has been a very inspiring

and dedicated teacher who is also a

mentor and role model for many of us.

He devoted a tremendous amount of

time and energy to hone our clinical

skills despite his numerous other

commitments. Prof Lim will also be

involved in our Hooding Ceremony at

graduation, and it is our humble way

of saying ‘thank you’ to a great teacher

who has been there for us every step

of the way.

What’s the most memorable experience you’ve had in your second year? My most fun experience was during

my neurology clerkship. My fellow

classmates and I developed a great

working relationship and camaraderie

while we saw patients with a wide

variety of conditions.

How has your experience as a medical student helped you grow both personally and professionally over the past four years? EO: Being able to interact with patients

gave me a greater appreciation

for what I have and has helped

improve my communication skills.

Professionally, being immersed in

clinical research has really opened my

eyes to the unique challenges faced by

clinician scientists.

DY: Although I started medical school

as a “mature” student, I feel that I have

grown as a person. I’ve learnt to accept

that there are certain things that are

beyond me in terms of what a doctor

can do for a patient, but I should

always strive to do the best within my

capabilities.

How does it feel now that you’re only weeks away from offi cially becoming one? DY: Just as excited as my fi rst day as a

medical student. I will be starting the

journey for real! A little calmer and

wiser, but the enthusiasm remains the

same.

Prof Lim Shih Hui is a Senior Consultant at the National Neuroscience Institute. Having taught the pioneering batch since 2007, Prof Lim is proud to say that he knows almost everyone in class.

The Neurology clerkship coordinator is responsible for planning the students’ clerkship curriculum, ensuring that they receive adequate exposure to the fi eld in the short three to four weeks.

Under his guidance, aspiring medical professionals are imbued with the pioneering qualities to “always be prepared to take on new challenges, go into uncharted territories and fi nd new ways to do things better.”

We talk to one of them, Shera Chaterji.

Prof Lim Shih Hui won the Distinguised

Mentor Award at the inaugural

SingHealth Excellence Awards. Read

about his achievements in page 19.

YEAR 2:Involving Patient

Care

SHERA CHATERJIIf I were a superhero… I would want my superpower to be ‘super speed’. This will give me the ability to dash from one patient to another during busy night calls and attend to emergencies quickly.

In the second year, students focus on becoming effective clinicians by going on a series of core clerkship rotations. The clinical rounds have been designed to develop students’ clinical skills in history taking and physical examinations and the ability to appropriately use resources to diagnose patients.

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Duke-NUS’ unique third year provides students an unparalleled opportunity to do in-depth research in their area of particular interest for a full year. It allows individuals to gain scholarly experience in research, explore and clarify long-term career goals, and develop a creative, insightful approach to medicine.

Dr William Hwang, a Senior Consultant at the Department of Haematology at SGH recalls his experience guiding students Ann Mei and Liming on their third-year research projects.

Helping students deal with setbacks and fi nd their own innovative solutions to problems are his goals as a mentor. He believes that these qualities are what make the future pioneers in medicine.

One memorable moment he shares was seeing the delight in her eyes when Ann Mei was told her paper was accepted by Bone Marrow Transplantation.

“That was worth it!” he exclaims.

Why did you decide to become a doctor?

I became interested in studying clinical medicine in my fi nal year of undergraduate studies when I took up pathology. Once you understand the basis of how disorders arise, you can tailor treatments for the individual. The whole process poses intellectual challenges and the doctor-patient relationship is also extremely satisfying.

Can you describe your experience in your research year?

It was an excellent educational experience as I was able to learn how to publish a paper and present in an academic setting. My project was to determine the optimal dosage and route of administration of chemotherapy in stem cell transplant that will decrease the side effects in patients while providing the best effi cacy.

Dr Hwang is an extremely supportive mentor who led me in the correct direction and taught me critical skills in research.

Furthermore, I was allowed to attend his clinic so as to better understand the clinical aspect of stem cell transplants.

He taught me how to be a better doctor in terms of medical knowledge and doctor-patient relations.

What perspective has research given you in your future career as a clinician?

It taught me how to practise evidence-based medicine and better critic scientifi c journals. I was taught not to believe everything published at face value, but to dive down to the nitty-gritty details and decide for myself if the evidence presented is trustworthy.

What’s the most memorable experience with your Duke-NUS classmates?

Role-playing different types of patients with my classmates in preparation for our clinical skills exam.

Despite all the stress, we bonded and made each clinical encounter fun and fi lled with laughter. It made me realise the importance of teamwork and friendship.

YEAR 3:Focusing on

Clinical Research

WONG ANN MEI If I were a superhero… I would want to have the ability to heal and provide comfort — that’s the reason why I study medicine.

YEAR 4:From Student to

Clinician

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In their fourth and final year, students prepare to enter the world of clinical medicine and enhance their preparation for internships and residencies through clinical rotations. By the time of graduation, students’ clinical experiences would have created a context that bridges the gaps between course material and clinical practice.

Dr Tan Thiam Chye, a Consultant in KKH’s O&G Department is the Clerkship Coordinator that helped Tat Xin tailor his six-week sub-internship. Dr Tan believes in building confi dence in students as they mature into clinicians. “Humility and a positive learning attitude are most important in medicine,” he adds.

“As a pioneer class, all eyes are on these students, so it is necessary that they exhibit even more humility in their lives and work.”

Outside class, Dr Tan even had the chance to witness a surprise marriage proposal between Tat Xin and his fi ancée during a research presentation in Spain. It certainly was “a touching moment”.

EE TAT XINIf I were a superhero… I would like to be able to help people forget all their worries and be happy with a snap of my fi ngers.


The loss of my grandparents to cancer made me very curious about this deadly disease when I was a teenager. I went on to obtain a degree in science and spent a year doing research in cancer biology. These experiences further crystalised my interest and belief that being a doctor is the most effective way to help people battle illnesses.

How was your fourth year medical clerkship like?

The fourth year has been a whirlwind of early mornings, overnight calls, and a fi rst-hand taste of what Residency will be like. I am particularly grateful to all the Consultants who have taken the time and effort to impart precious knowledge and skills amidst the busy ward rounds and clinics. I am equally grateful to my seniors who helped me through the challenging sub-internships.


Ann Mei: I became interested in studying clinical medicine in my fi nal year of undergraduate studies when I took up pathology. Once you understand the basis of how disorders arise, you can tailor treatments for the individual. The whole process poses intellectual challenges and the doctor-patient relationship is also extremely satisfying.

Can you describe your experience in your research year?

It was an excellent educational experience as I was able to learn how to publish a paper and present in an academic setting. My project was to determine the optimal dosage and route of administration of chemotherapy in stem cell transplant that will decrease the side effects in patients and while providing the best effi cacy.

Dr Hwang is an extremely supportive mentor who led me in the correct direction and taught

Tell us a bit about your experience with Dr Tan Thiam Chye!

Dr Tan tailored the programme to allow me to have maximum exposure to various departments in KKH and constantly encouraged me to stretch my limits. He is an exceptional mentor and was instrumental in a decision making for Residency application and my subsequent decision to pursue my career in Obstetrics and Gynecology.

How does it feel now that you’re only weeks away from offi cially becoming a doctor?

I’m both excited and apprehensive of what lies ahead. Nonetheless, I look forward to fi nally graduating and taking the fi rst baby steps in Medicine.

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Photos by Bryan Tan, Duke-NUS


PARTNERS IN EDUCATION

In collaboration with Duke-NUS, SingHealth provides the clinical teaching environment for its students in our campuses. Its location within our SGH campus fosters collaborative efforts between the institutions. Our clinical staff contribute

their practical skills and knowledge in care and research as members of the School’s teaching faculty.

APRIL 2005 Duke University and National University of Singapore formalise the partnership to establish a graduate medical school

JULY 2005 SingHealth welcomes

Duke-NUS with the establishment of its

interim campus in SGH Campus at 2 Jalan

Bukit MerahAUGUST 2007 The fi rst 26 students begin classes. Their white coat ceremony offi cially recognises the passage from general membership in the community at large into the select family of practitioners of the art and science of medicine.

SEPTEMBER 2009 Offi cial opening of Duke-NUS

Graduate Medical School campus.

Named after Tan Sri Khoo Teck Phuat, the 11-storey building located

at 8 College Road in SGH Campus houses technologically advanced

research laboratories and modern teaching & education spaces

OCTOBER 2010 SingHealth – Duke-NUS

inaugural scientifi c congress, ‘Bridging Healthcare in the

21st Century’

MAY 2011 Graduation of the pioneer

batch of students from Duke-NUS

OCTOBER 2009 The fi rst faculty appreciation night / Oktoberfest celebration. In this annual celebration, SingHealth staff and Duke-NUS faculty and students bask in the fun, laughter and activities. Students also pay their tribute to teaching faculty.

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I t’s an important decision – one that shapes how their lives turn out – and one which they all have

to make at the tender age of 16!

Where do you go after the ‘O’ and ‘A’ Levels?

With concerned parents in tow, hundreds of school leavers fl ocked to the HealthCareers event held at *SCAPE to fi nd out more about a career in healthcare. What greeted them was a dazzling, if somewhat confusing, array of information – the event venue was packed with exhibitors from the public healthcare clusters in Singapore, offering career options in all aspects of healthcare!

Which one do I go to?! Who can help me?

Luckily, SingHealth professionals like Sharon Ong, a SingHealth Health Science Scholar, were on hand to answer the queries of parents and wards alike. Sharon shared her experiences and satisfaction as a Radiographer at KKH with enthusiastic and attentive school

leavers, along with her nursing and allied health colleagues who were also on the scene to provide a helping hand.

“They asked a myriad of questions – some wanted to know what a radiographer does while others were interested in career development prospects and scholarships,” revealed Sharon.

The school leavers were also treated to an interactive forum in which healthcare professionals like Sharon took to the stage with celebrity hosts, fi elding questions from the audience about an exciting career in healthcare.

Said Ms Lim Sook Luan, Assistant Director of Strategic Human Resource at SingHealth, “This event is important to SingHealth because it allows us to communicate directly with the youth on what healthcare is all about.

“By answering their questions and clarifying their concerns on a career in healthcare, we hope to make them feel that SingHealth is a caring employer and wants to help them develop a career with us.”

As the day wore on and the crowds thinned, it was not a sense of fatigue but one of satisfaction that Sharon felt.

“In the course of my job, I’ve met many who are surprised that radiography is a specialised allied health profession. But there were many at the event who showed that they had a very good idea about what a radiographer does!”

So for all the school leavers and parents who attended the event, making that life-changing decision just became that much easier, more enjoyable, and enriching, thanks to the helpful boost given by our SingHealth professionals.

Way to go team!

About HealthCareers

Jointly organised by SingHealth and other healthcare clusters in Singapore, HealthCareers aims to increase awareness and interest in a career in healthcare for school leavers. This year, the joint efforts see a myriad of avenues employed to achieve this objective, with magazine and newspaper articles, television and radio commercials, as well as the live event at *SCAPE.

Read the full interview with Sharon on the SingHealth Facebook page!

SingHealth nursing and allied health professionals were on hand to help tell spirited youths more about careers in the healthcare sector in this year’s HealthCareers event held at *SCAPE.

TALENT,TALENT, ALL THAT TALENT!


With a vision for better eyecare, Prof Donald Tan has led SNEC and SERI to historic achievements and an impact on a global scale.

VISI N IN ACTIONPROF DONALD TANDirector, Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)

DISTINGUISHED LEADER AWARD

VISIONARY LEADER


T o most, Prof Donald Tan

clinching the Visionary Leader

Award comes as no surprise.

Surgeon, educator, researcher

and leader. In the fi eld of cornea

and refractive surgery, few names

inspire as much professional respect

in Asia as Prof Tan. For over two

decades, the Director of SNEC has

made his mark in clinical, surgical,

translational research and education

achievements, becoming a much

admired role model for others.

Under Prof Tan’s leadership,

Singapore Eye Research Institute

(SERI) has blossomed from a

fl edgling eye centre to become one

of the world’s leading eye institutes.

To date, SERI has published more

than 1,000 scientifi c papers, obtained

93 grants valued at $77.9 million,

won 100 national and international

awards, and registered 18 patents.

In 2008, International Ophthalmology

highlighted Singapore as the world’s

top contributor of eye publications

per population, of which 98% were

from SERI.

He has put SNEC and SERI on the

world map with his achievements.

Prof Tan introduced osteo-odonto

keratoprosthesis (also known as

Tooth-in-eye) surgery in South

Asia, resulting in the successful

restoration of sight to 38 patients

from 13 countries, some from as far

as the US and Australia.

Envisioning the rapid development of

research knowledge and education

in the Asian ophthalmology scene,

Prof Tan negotiated with ARVO

from USA, the largest eye research

meeting, to establish an Asian

version. This led to the landmark

Asia-ARVO, which has become

the main sharing and networking

platform for eye doctors and

researchers in the region.

Transforming vision into action

is Prof Tan’s forte. When he

became the Medical Director of the

Singapore Eye Bank fourteen years

ago, there was low awareness of

local cornea donation.

Dissatisfi ed with this, he spurred a turnaround which led an impressive increase of local cornea donations from 27% then to 93% currently.

These are a clear testament to the

forward thinking of the man at the

helm. A world with better sight,

thanks to such leaders with vision.

By Monica Lim and Debbie Chia

On 25 March this year, the inaugural SingHealth Excellence Awards were

presented. These awards, consisting of eight categories, honour leaders and talents

who epitomise excellence at the cluster level. These outstanding individuals not

only make signifi cant contributions through their performance, they are role models

who are committed to realising our vision and mission.

CELEBRATING THE BEST AT SINGHEALTH

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CHAMPION OF CHANGE


She developed the clinical audit

function into a full department

in 1995, which has now

been recognised in the fi eld as an

excellent and cost effective model to

monitor outcomes and to measure

clinical quality.

The following year saw her setting

up the Quality Service Department

which focuses on quality service

training programmes and develop

strategies to improve patient

satisfaction.

In 2009 SNEC saw a mounting

increase in patient load and long

waiting time, with 70% of subsidised

patients waiting more than 60 days

for an appointment. Charity sprang

into action .

With the medical leadership, she

implemented quick measures like

ad hoc Saturday clinics, as well

as more sustained changes in the

management and discharge of

patients. Codenamed “three strikes

out”, the system ensured timely

discharge of patients or onward

referrals to appropriate subspecialty

clinics for further management,

freeing up appointment slots for new

patients.

Charity ensured good and open

communication with all staff to

explain the measures taken and

to achieve close teamwork in the

overall mobilisation and rostering

of additional duties. As a result,

appointment waiting time was

reduced signifi cantly from 70% to

14.7% at the end of 2010.

Several strategic opportunities

were engineered by Charity in the

international arena to fulfi l SNEC’s

vision of International Eminence in

Ophthalmology. Charity represented

SNEC and along with like-minded

eye centres in Europe and USA

founded the World Association of Eye

Hospitals in 2008.

In all these achievements, Charity

credited the symbiotic and catalytic

relationship she has developed with

the medical leadership as a key

ingredient for success. She likened

the relationship between the medical

staff and those in administration as

that between the pilot and the air-

traffi c controller.

The doctor is the pilot who has

overall command whereas the

administrator’s role is very much

like that of the air-traffi c controller

who provides vital fl ight information,

upcoming weather and traffi c

conditions to support the pilot in the

navigation of the plane. Both are

professionals who must know their

jobs well and must work together.

One cannot do without the other

but there is no doubt who is in the

driver’s seat.

Charity also commended her

administrative team for the strong

trust and support they have given

her all these years.

She said, “in the end, every change and improvement made in the organisation depends on people wanting to do something differently and better and to dare to do the mission impossible. “

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When SNEC saw a mounting increase in patient load, a lesser person would have caved under the pressure of escalating demands. But not Ms Charity Wai. Described by colleagues as the “architect in developing the administration and management structure for SNEC”, she took the matter in her stride and made decisive changes to the existing system.

DARE TO DO THE MISSION IMPOSSIBLE MS CHARITY WAIChief Operating Offi cer, Singapore National Eye Centre



Ms Lee Heng Pheng, is no

stranger to crises, having

led her nurses through the

trying periods of the SARS outbreak

in 2003 and a more recent one, the

H1N1 outbreak in 2009. In both

instances, there was an atmosphere

of fear among staff and quelling the

anxiety was one of Ms Lee’s biggest

hurdles.

Prof Ivy Ng, CEO of KKH, recalled

how one of their outpatients was

among the fi rst to be diagnosed

with SARS. KKH made the decision

to close the affected clinic and was

then faced with the daunting task

of having to contact all the over 500

patients who were at that clinic that

day, to inform them that they may

have been infected. “Heng Pheng

showed no hesitation to proceed

with this undertaking,” remembers

Prof Ng.

“She galvanised the whole senior nursing leadership and we stayed back together all night, making the necessary calls. She sets the pace and the people follow.”

It is this indomitable spirit that led

to her winning the People Leader

Award.

Ms Lee’s keen people skills can

also be seen in the way she rallies

and develops her staff. To deal with

high staff turnover and shortage

of paediatric nurses, she initiated

the transfer of more nurses into

the Children’s Tower and stepped

up sponsorship of nurses for the

Advanced Diploma in Nursing

(Paediatrics) course. She has also

groomed Nurse Clinicians and

Resource Nurses, and drives the

development of Advanced Practice

Nurses to raise standards of nursing

at KKH.

Like other successful leaders, Ms

Lee has her fair share of challenges

among others having to help nurses

overcome personal diffi culties

and motivate underperforming

teams. But whatever the situation

is she remains approachable and

is always ready to help. Those who

work with her describe her not only

as a supportive leader but also a

concerned friend.

Ms Lee describes this award as the

pinnacle of her achievement in her

40 years on the job. “It will motivate

me to improve my leadership skills

and give me more confi dence in

mentoring my team, especially in

developing future leaders.”

An effective communicator, Ms Lee Heng Pheng harmonises dissenting voices through collaboration, engagement and a decisive leadership style.

LEADING BY EXAMPLEMS LEE HENG PHENGAdviser, Nursing Management, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital


PEOPLE LEADER

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to devote more time and energy

to students who have diffi culty in

class.

This passion spurred Duke-NUS

students to invite him to mentor

them, and further led to a slew of

Appreciation Awards from the

school in 2009 and 2010.

It comes as no surprise that Prof Lim is now working with Duke-NUS to develop new teaching methods with the ambition of making clinical neurology “a fun subject to learn”.

Prof Lim’s teaching legacy goes

well beyond Singapore’s borders,

as he has trained neurologists

from around the region as well as

organised teaching courses under

the Asian Epilepsy Academy

(ASEPA) and the ASEAN

Neurological Association (ASNA).

In fact, the standard for

Electroencephalogram (EEG)

reporting and interpretation in

Asia can be attributed to Prof Lim.

He initiated the ASEPA-ASNA

EEG Certifi cation Examination in

2005, now codifi ed as the national

standard by China’s Ministry of

Health. This outcome is especially

fi tting for Prof Lim, who considers

one of his greatest achievements to

be the stellar results obtained on an

acupuncture diploma in Beijing.

That and an MBA acquired from

NUS in 2003.

Prof Lim is still considering

contributing to medical education

“in a more structured manner”,

particularly if junior doctors feel

that they will reap the rewards of

his instruction. It is clear to those

who have studied under him that

this is indeed the case.

A beacon of inspiration for generations of medical students, junior doctors and specialists, the popular Prof Lim Shih Hui was highly sought-after as one of the top educators in clinical neurology at SGH. However, he has always eschewed big group teaching in favour of small, intimate group tutorials. His reason: it simply allows him to spend quality time with his students.

DISTINGUISHED

EDUCATOR

AWARD

PROF LIM SHIH HUISenior Consultant, Department of Neurology,

National Neuroscience Institute — SGH Campus


Such concern for the

excellence of his teaching

is a consistent theme

throughout the Distinguished

Educator Award winner’s 20-year

track record in clinical education.

Prof Lim has infl uenced and

inspired legions of medical students

in his various capacities — including

undergraduates at the NUS Yong

Loo Lin School of Medicine,

students at Duke-NUS Graduate

Medical School, and postgraduates

in SGH and NNI, as well as

neurologists from the Asia-Oceania

region.

His dedication to students is

formidable. As a time-strapped

clinical physician, Prof Lim still

found the time to conduct bedside

tutorials. He also took extra care

TEACHINGWITH

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P rof Yeo blazed the way

forward in the development

of clinical protocols

and guidelines as the Head of

Department of Maternal Fetal

Medicine at KK Women’s and

Children’s Hospital between

1993-2006. There, he established

an academically rigorous, evidence-

based approach to the medical

management of pregnancies. With

support from the National Medical

Research Council (NMRC) and

through translational research, Prof

Yeo’s efforts have given rise to the

incubation and development of young

doctors involved in medical research.

Capable young talents had gravitated

to the department over the years,

and many developed to hold the helm

in O&G, education and research.

With his establishment of

multidisciplinary clinics in KKH over

the years, research and collaboration

in diverse fi elds — ranging from

neonatology to molecular biology –

have fl ourished.

The institutional standing of the Obstetrics and Gynecology community has grown over the decades, with Prof Yeo as an indispensable pillar of support.

Besides being an exceptional role

model, Prof Yeo has also always

had a deep understanding of the

infrastructure required to sustain

a nurturing learning environment.

He helped to ensure O&G interns in

Singapore had free access to a large

database of knowledge through

subscriptions to online journals.

He also developed strong

relationships with a network of

medical experts across the globe,

gaining access to their accumulated

experience. All these efforts have

served to enhance the knowledge-

based culture that he has always

fostered.

Beyond his present capacity as

a teaching faculty at the Duke-

NUS Graduate School of Medicine

and NUS Yong Loo Lin School

of Medicine, Prof Yeo has also

committed himself to conducting

workshops and bringing world-

class conferences and seminars to

Singapore. These efforts represent

a broader, international spirit of

mentorship that has enabled him to

promote a spirit of learning beyond

our shores.

With an ethos of care and learning,

and a nurturing approach to growing

and developing talent, Prof Yeo’s

success as a mentor will continue to

spur the development more talented

young people with of new ideas and

groundbreaking research in the

years to come.

A pioneer and visionary with the power to mould minds. This description of Prof Yeo Seow Heong — winner of this year’s Distinguished Mentor Award — indicates the extent to which he is held in high esteem by the medical community.

DISTINGUISHED

MENTORAWARD

TALENTINCUBATORADJUNCT PROF YEO SEOW HEONGSenior Consultant, KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital


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A/Prof Tan is an well-known

clinical neurologist and

researcher at NNI.

An outstanding researcher, he has been instrumental in leading research in the fi eld of Parkinson’s disease and Movement Disorders, particularly in the discovery of genetic risk factors unique to Asians and clinical observations that helped in clinical care.

His many achievements and

contributions include the setting up

of the Movement Disorders Service

at SGH in 2000. The Service, which

benefi ted patients with gait problems

and uncontrolled involuntary

movements, then paved the way to a

full integrated programme at NNI.

In 2006, the centre became the

only site in Asia to be accredited by

the US-based National Parkinsons

Foundation as an “International

Center of Excellence” for their

contributions in research and

patient care.

To reach out to the community,

recently, A/Prof Tan and his

colleagues from Parkinsons Disease

and Movement Disorders team at

NNI-TTSH Campus, together with

the Parkinson’s Disease Society

of Singapore have secured MOH’s

approval for a more than S$1m to

set up a one-stop patient care centre

in the community for Parkinson’s

disease patients.

In addition to being recognised

as a researcher in the local and

international healthcare arena, A/

Prof Tan is also an opinion leader

and well-known clinician with

patient referrals extending all the

way from Europe, USA and Asia.

Among the string of editorial and

professionals positions that he has

under his belt, he has acted as

an external expert for prestigious

universities and centres in USA

and Asia, and the only Singaporean

to be elected into the American

Neurological Association.

Successful research and their outcomes have the power to radically transform lives for the better. This year’s Distinguished Researcher Award winner, has undoubtedly done so for more than 15 years.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR TAN ENG KINGSenior Consultant, Department of Neurology,

National Neuroscience Institute – SGH Campus

DISTINGUISHED RESEARCHER

AWARD

MIND OF MEDICINE

The SingHealth Excellence Awards

evening ceremony on 25 March

also saw the presentation of

the GCEO Excellence Award for

outstanding professionals at the

institution level.

To see the list of winners of both

awards, visit

http://mysinghealth/Singhealth/ExcellenceAwards/ from your

SingHealth Desktop Portal.

S ingHealth Excellence Awards

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I t is common to see international faces not only among patients but also staff in our institutions.

Making up almost 20% of SingHealth’s professional staff, our colleagues from overseas are working side-by-side with their Singaporean counterparts in numerous professions ranging

from clinicians, allied health professionals to nurses. They bring with them invaluable experience and offer new methodologies and ideas that help SingHealth become increasingly dynamic.

Meet six professionals who’ve made Singapore their new home.

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Who: Jarlath LyonsWhat: PhysiotherapistWhere: Rehabilitation Centre, SGH.How long: less than 1 yearFrom: Ireland

He had barely graduated from Trinity College in Dublin, Ireland when he landed a job with SGH.

While some would think twice about heavy caseloads, for Jarlath the challenge was the factor which enticed him to Singapore.

“The patient load in Singapore is heavier than in Irish hospitals. This challenges us to multitask but still maintain high standards.”

Jarlath’s colleagues in SGH are supportive of him. The group always openly discusses different approaches to patient care and are on hand to advise one another on ways to confront work-related issues.

Interestingly, to blend in further with the local community, the soft spoken physiotherapist has been attending Malay language classes.

Making Singapore more of a home to him, he fi nds the MRT system in Singapore more reliable that the transportation system in Ireland!

Who: Dr Harsh SadanaWhat: Associate ConsultantWhere: Department of Oncologic Imaging, NCCSHow long: Over three yearsFrom: India

A practising consultant radiologist in India, Dr Sadana cited close proximity to his home country, excellent connectivity and a world-class medical and urban infrastructure as reasons why he moved to Singapore.

He fi nds the work environment at NCCS conducive, with “well-organised working environment and prompt availability of professional support from colleagues and seniors.”

Compared to the profession in India, Dr Sadana feels that the higher volume of quality work available at NCCS offers him greater professional challenges.

The shy radiologist does not feel homesick. He quips, “With the conducive work atmosphere, good interpersonal relations and mentorship, I have never felt that my home is away from home!”

Who: Sun XiaWhat: Senior Staff NurseWhere: Cardiothoracic Surgery, Intensive Care Unit, NHCSHow long: 11 years From: China

Sun Xia left her homeland to take up a three-year Nursing Diploma Course in Nanyang Polytechnic under a scholarship by MOH. She then went on to join NHCS in 2000.

Refl ecting on her 11-year stay in Singapore, Sun Xia added that her colleagues have played an important role in making her feel at home, “During festivals, they invite me to their homes for gatherings. There are many activities organised in almost every month. “

Singapore’s cultural diversity and the ability for the different races and cultural practices to exist together in harmony still amazes her.

“I’ve learnt to accept differences for the good of common interest. My colleagues and I exchange ideas for better mutual understanding and it enhances our working relationship and team spirit.”

SingHealth as melting pot of the world’s best talents BY DEBBIE CHIA

INTERNATIONAL FACES


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Who: Dr Pujan RaiWhat: RegistrarWhere: Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery Unit, NDCHow long: Three yearsFrom: Nepal

Dr Rai was a dental offi cer in Nepal prior to pursuing her Masters in Dental Surgery at NUS and then joining NDC.

“Having studied and worked here, I realise there are good opportunities in Singapore and also a great learning experience.”

Dr Rai sees the vast difference between working in Singapore and Nepal in terms of patients’ accessibility to healthcare services and availability of the latest medical equipment and infrastructure.

The cross-cultural work experience has helped Dr Rai to ease into work, “I have learned a great deal about better ways of doing things, different ways of treating and caring for patients. “

But it is not all work with her colleagues, “They invite me to their homes and I have invited them to mine. Discussing food is always entertaining.”

Who: Nicola DuffyWhat: Speech and Language TherapistWhere: Rehabilitation Department, KKHHow long: 2 yearsFrom: Ireland

Although Ireland’s recession at that time was a push factor, Nicola was equally attracted to the promising healthcare industry and the standard of living in Singapore.

Sharing on differences between Ireland and Singapore, “Healthcare services are not paid by Irish citizens, hence a longer waiting list. But it also means they are more willing to attend the sessions than Singaporeans.”

The various nationalities that make up Nicola’s team often compare different methodologies and explore the possibilities of putting them into practice in the local context.

However, some aspects of the local language and culture still confuse Nicola, “Here when someone says ‘can you help me with it,’ it means you do it on their behalf. I used to follow my colleagues around waiting to ‘help’ without realising I have to carry out the task myself!”

Who: Lusiana HasanWhat: Assistant ManagerWhere: International Patient Service, SNECHow long: 12 yearsFrom: Indonesia

Lusiana was attracted to work in Singapore due to its safe environment.

She was a practising optometrist and a lecturer at two optometry schools in Jakarta prior to working for SNEC.

Although initially she used to visit her brother’s family gathering in neighbouring Batam, her homesickness has since abated.

“My colleagues and I often meet during lunch time to discuss about interesting cases we handle during the day. We suggest solutions to one another.”

The camaraderie with her colleagues extends beyond the work place, “Most weekends I walk with them at Botanic Gardens, Hort Park or the MacRitchie Reservoir Park.”

“After living and working in Singapore for more than a decade, I really feel at home.”


G laucoma is the most

common cause of irreversible

blindness worldwide and

while surgery can be performed,

its long-term success can be as

low as 50% over ten years, due

largely to the high levels of post-

operative scarring. As Consultant

Ophthalmologist in SNEC, Dr Tina

Wong has seen her fair share of such

failures. This frustration has spurred

her to focus her research on wound

healing in the eye.

Her efforts have not been in vain.

Her research group has uncovered

interesting fi ndings, namely

that there is a particular protein

responsible for controlling the

amount of collagen produced. Too

much collagen production can lead

to scarring. By isolating the gene

that produces the protein, scientists

can neutralise it or manipulate it to

produce less collagen, and hence

less scarring in the eye.

This is good news indeed for

glaucoma sufferers but Dr Wong

is not content to stop there. As

part of the research, she has also

successfully completed studies on a

new way of delivering anti-glaucoma

drugs, which can also be used to

deliver the proposed anti-scarring

therapy after surgery. Slow-release

and sustained delivery of drugs

using nano technology is currently

already available for cancer, diabetes

and liver disease. Dr Wong wants

to apply the same technology to the

delivery of eye medication.

“One of the main problems

of treatment using

eyedrops is that it depends on

patient compliance,” she explains.

“If a patient forgets to administer

the drops, the treatment is

compromised. If we can deliver the

drug via an injection with sustained

release, we remove this obstacle and

also reduce side effects. I’m excited

about the potential improvement in

our patient management outcomes.”

This novel delivery system will

also be applicable to other eye

treatments, such as for the cornea

and retina. If all goes well, the

delivery system will be tested for

the fi rst time in a select number of

glaucoma patients at the end of

the year.

“This project is a prime example

of how research can work to solve

patient’s problems,” the dynamic

doctor asserts.

“We identify the problem in the clinic, go to the lab, fi nd the solution, test it and then bring it back to the patient. That’s true translational research.”

And how does she feel about winning

the award? “Relieved!”

This year, two out of the fi ve prestigious Clinician Scientist Award given out were won by SingHealth clinicians. Conferred by the National Medical Research Council (NMRC), the award is based on scientifi c merits of research proposals and the awardees’ track records.

Monica Lim fi nds out more about their winning research projects.

Cl inic ian Scient ist Award

CLARITYIN VISIONDR TINA WONGConsultant, Singapore National Eye Centre

Head, Ocular Drug Delivery Research Group,

Singapore Eye Research Institute

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24


It’s a well-known scenario —

a man is walking along the street,

suddenly he clutches his chest and

falls to the ground. Chances are he

has suffered a cardiac arrest.

What is needed is

immediate action to

restart the heart, usually via

Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation

(CPR) and defi brillation (delivery of

a life saving electric shock). If left

untreated, the chances of survival

decrease by 10% with every passing

minute. The fi gures are grim – in

Singapore, survival rate of Out-of-

Hospital Cardiac Arrest (OHCA) is a

dismal 2%, compared to the US or

Europe where it can be up to 20%.

Approximately 1,500 people die in

Singapore each year due to OHCA.

A/Prof Marcus Ong, Senior Consultant

in the Department of Emergency

Medicine at SGH, has witnessed

enough deaths by cardiac arrest to be

determined to make an improvement

to these statistics.

“We need to fi nd out what factors can best address the current shortcomings of the public health system in this area,” he affi rms, “ultimately so that we can save more lives.”

His project, which won him the

Clinician Scientist Award 2011, does

just that. It looks at the entire public

health system involved, namely the

public, the ambulance system, and

the hospital. Five strategies have been

pre-identifi ed as interventions that

can potentially improve survival from

OHCA: increasing rates of CPR and

defi brillation by the public, reducing

ambulance response times,

enhancing life support training of

ambulance crew, and improving post

cardiac arrest intensive care.

The project has attracted much

interest from the region. Ten countries

in the Asia-Pacifi c have come

together to share data on OHCA under

the Pan-Asian Resuscitation

Outcomes Study (PAROS), using an

online secure platform.

To date, over 9,000 entries of OHCA

cases have been collated, making this

the fi rst large OHCA study in Asia. The

target is to hit 30,000 entries.

Through this study, Dr Ong hopes that

the most cost-effective strategy with

maximum survival benefi ts can be

identifi ed and implemented. “The

potential impact of this research is

tremendous because it targets not

just the individual patient but the

healthcare system as a whole,” he

clarifi es. The dedicated doctor has

already published numerous papers

on this topic and consults one day a

week with the Ministry of Health

on pre-hospital emergency care

health policies.

Winning the award is a great

encouragement for Dr Ong and he

hopes this will send the signal to

other clinical researchers that what

they do is important and recognised. It

is also his personal wish that more

will embark on research in healthcare

services. “Research is one of the best

ways to advocate better outcomes for

patients,” he emphasises. “Seeing

your research make an impact is

highly rewarding.”

Cl inic ian Scient ist Award

BEATING THE ODDS FOR CARDIAC ARREST

A/PROF MARCUS ONGConsultant and Director of Research,

Department of Emergency Medicine,

Singapore General Hospital

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25


In the arena of medical and

healthcare research, the case for

dentistry is often overlooked.

Caring for one’s teeth is hardly

the fi rst thing that comes to most

minds when thinking about cutting-

edge medicine. This is one of the

misconceptions that the researchers

at the National Dental Centre of

Singapore (NDC) are challenging

with their work.

Contrary to popular belief,

scientifi c research behind dental

care is not just cosmetic. Instead,

dental research concerns itself

with understanding the science

underlying dental treatment and

fi nding better ways to care for

patients.

Medical professionals all agree

that quality research establishes

medicine as a profession rather than

a trade. As Dr. Alvin Yeo, one of the

key active researchers at NDC and

Deputy Chair of the NDC Research

Committee points out, without

ongoing research and evaluation,

“patient care will stagnate and not

progress”.

Progress is the keyword here as

dental research impacts our lives

in ways that we often take for

granted. An exciting example is the

Branemark implant. A research

discovery, by accident, that titanium

could bond fi rmly to bone paved the

way for the fi rst permanent dental

implants. Such innovations have also

been known to spur developments

in other medical fi elds. It was found

that the Branemark implant could

also be used to provide secure

anchorage for replacement facial

features or even prosthetic limbs.

Another piece of recent research

suggests that the health of our

gums can have a signifi cant effect on

diseases like diabetes, heart disease

and pregnancy complications. In

short, a beautiful smile is a sure sign

of a healthier body.

Such research has the potential to

translate to improved healthcare

provision. For instance, with

collaborations between dentists

and clinicians to manage dentally

compromised patients.

Example 2

How dental research can apply to Medicine

Example 1

Branemark titanium implant

dental implant

anchor for prosthetic

leg

Gum diseases may have

impact on other conditions

heart disease

diabetes

pregancy complications

stroke

BEHIND THE TOOTHThe National Dental Centre of Singapore gives dental research something to smile about By Debbie Chia

“Without ongoing

research and evaluation,

patient care will stagnate

and not progress.”

– DR ALVIN YEO

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26


As part of a push to consolidate its expertise and establish thematic projects, NDC has to date nurtured and grown four clinician-researchers who have obtained their PhDs while pursuing their research interests – with three more soon on the way.

regenerative approach that not

only reduces patient morbidity and

‘downtime’ but is also affordable,

predictable and effective”.

One thing is clear: although research

in NDC may still be in its infancy, its

practical, purposeful and patient-

oriented approach to research holds

great promise for the future. Not

just for the future of dental research

in Singapore – but also for those

patients whose improved quality of

treatment and care will enable them

to lead healthier, happier lives.

As a clinical centre fi rst and

foremost, NDC has also focused on

managing research activities and

resources, and the development of

infrastructure needed to support

research – including the NDC

Research Committee (RC) and

Research Resource Unit (RRU).

To achieve this, it conducts robust

training programmes for young

researchers while emphasising the

practical relevance of their research.

The direction of research is led by

the RC, chaired by NDC research

director Dr Andrew Tay, as it

develops research policy, builds

collaboration networks and human

capital, and monitors the overall

progress of research.

The RRU, on the other hand,

functions as a coordinator and

facilitator of research. In recognition

of the importance of building human

capital, the Academic Centre for

Oral Health Research (ACORN) was

inaugurated in 2008 to provide a

formal structure for research and

education programmes through its

dual research administration and

education arms.

Together, the RC and the ACORN

Secretariat function as twin keystone

pillars supporting the entire

research agenda of the NDC.

As part of a push to consolidate its

expertise and establish thematic

projects, NDC has to date nurtured

and grown four clinician-researchers

who have obtained their PhDs while

pursuing their research interests –

with three more soon on the way.

Besides pioneer PhD recipients Dr

Chew Ming Tat and Dr Alvin Yeo,

whose research interests include

jaw reconstruction and regeneration,

the other two PhD researchers are

Dr Goh Bee Tin and Dr Shermin

Lee. Their interest in mandibular

reconstruction, according to Dr Lee,

“gave rise to various collaborations

among different parts of the world.”

Collaborating with overseas

researchers is one strategy that is

paying off for NDC. Dr Goh remarks

that it offers a “continuous learning

process” for himself and other

researchers here.

Besides that, it has enabled NDC to

surge ahead in the last fi ve years,

despite its relatively limited core

group of manpower and expertise.

And internally, Dr Yeo points out that

NDC’s slow and steady approach to

research allows them to focus on

their core strengths at this

early stage.

Meanwhile, Dr Yeo’s own work

continues to press on with its

goal of developing “a viable bone

Example 3

Change in practice

Head & neckcancer patient

Radiotherapy

Normal Healing

Dental extractions and

treatment

Head & neckcancer patient

Dental extractions and

treatment

Poor Healing

Radiotherapy

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27


He’s been in healthcare IT for 20 years, but Benedict Tan has never been so excited. me+SH fi nds out why. By Arthur Wong

IN THE FACE OF CHANGE IT in SingHealth

When you put things in perspective, SingHealth is very much similiar to

Apple’s iPhone.

“The beauty is in its simplicity,” professes Benedict Tan, Chief Information Offi cer at SingHealth.

Given our experience, the last thing we would associate healthcare IT with is simplicity, so Benedict goes on to clarify,

“All of us at SingHealth work for one common purpose — to improve the lives of our patients and to care for, treat and heal them.

“For that one simple purpose we use various applications that we develop with the help of our healthcare professionals to change the way things are done. It’s pretty much like Steve Jobs’ model of having developers make apps for his iPhone.”

And like the popular smartphone, Benedict sees healthcare IT in SingHealth becoming more specialised and easier to use — information at a glance with a touch of a button or a swipe of your fi nger.

While IT used to be mainly for administrative purposes, its role is evolving fast. From clinical care and treatment to research and education, IT innovations by Benedict and his team will make it even easier for us to care for patients and improve care.

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28


IT INNOVATIONS

Rheumatoid Arthritis Smartphone Application (MobileCare)Singapore’s fi rst smartphone app for

rheumatoid arthritis empowers the

patient with a daily health diary that

can be accessed easily by caregivers

and medical staff. Using graphs,

quick summaries and detailed

histories, patients can now monitor

disease progression for rheumatoid

arthritis.

SGH Bed Management SystemAllows real-time tracking of

patients through RFID technology,

automating the patient fl ow process

from admission to discharge.

KKH Inpatient Pharmacy Automation System (IPAS)The fully automated unit uses

robotics and barcoding to improve

the pharmacy dispensing process by

picking and packing drugs.

“IT is fi nally entering the area where it supports direct patient care, with more and more innovations coming in the near future. We see a direct inpact to patients’ lives and something good will come out of all this change.” Benedict Tan, CIO, SingHealth

No wonder he’s excited.

This change will mean four things – paper-less, fi lm-less, script-less and chart-less.

Imagine a future, not so far away, where a patient can receive the best care from a seamless, integrated healthcare system built with ease in mind. Everything happens at the touch of a button and healthcare professionals are able to analyse and translate the data received from treatment into research for better methods and cures as well as to educate the next generation of healthcare professionals.

It’s simple, really – faster, easier and more accurate. The patient of tomorrow’s healthcare has a lot to look forward to.

And it may not even take a long time to happen either.

“The speed of healthcare IT has picked up over the last fi ve years, and I can see with enough emphasis and resources it will continue on the accelerating path,” said Benedict.

Add this to the teamwork between SingHealth and Integrated Health Information Systems (IHiS), and you’ve got a winning formula.

Formed to provide integrated IT services to the healthcare clusters in Singapore on a full cost-recovery model, Benedict thinks IHiS is ready to start performing at an even higher level having overcome the many challenges of starting afresh.

Some key projects that are coming our way for 2011 are the upgrade into the Clinical Sunrise Manager level 5.5, automated visitor management systems, new messaging functions to your email platform

and infrastructure and network bandwidth increases.

Looks like healthcare IT has got endless possibilities.

So where does it all end? Benedict thinks healthcare IT Nirvana can be achieved through knowledge management and health analytics.

“The difference between an experienced doctor and a new one is the wisdom gained from all the years of practice. We need to harness that wisdom and use it in the training of future clinicians to ensure that it does not end with one person. Our clinicians will also need a data analysis system to allow them to treat patients with more accuracy and ease.”

What about patients turning to the internet for their diagnosis? Won’t that turn doctors into professionals who recommend medication as prescribed by some health website?

Benedict relates a previous conversation with a senior clinician: “He told me that if you use google to check your symptoms, the chance of a correct diagnosis is as high as 80%. This is information technology at work.

But having said that, whether you can arrive at the right treatment is a whole different matter! Clinicians will always play that all important role of being by the side of the patient on their road to recovery.”

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29


Dr Toh Han ChongTake5 With...

Lvme + Living

30

“Healthcare providers have to take care of themselves

or risk burnout. We have to enjoy lighter moments in life

like kopi and makan with friends and family, and taking

time out, to sit back and refl ect.”

Location: Pandan Reservoir, Singapore Amateur Rowing Association


People who work with

cancer patients often get

a perspective on life not

many see.

“Being in this fi eld can sometimes be

a tough and humbling battle. When

you’ve used up all your weapons to

hold back the march of the disease,

the focus is to walk with the patient

to the end, while still providing care,

relief and hope, ” said Dr Toh Han

Chong, Head and Senior Consultant

of the Department of Medical

Oncology at the National Cancer

Centre Singapore (NCCS).

“We are privileged to be in a

position to help people at their

time of greatest need”.

Having spent time abroad in the US

receiving fellowship training at

Massachusetts General Hospital,

Harvard Medical School and Baylor

College of Medicine, Dr Toh has

gained his global perspective.

Comparing stints at these world-

renowned institutions, he sees

Singapore’s huge potential to be at

the cutting-edge.

He elaborates, “Striving to provide

good clinical service in our hospitals

is the main priority and we must

continue delivering it. The next step

forward is to be innovative in care and

research. Being an ‘innovation nation’

will allow us to stay competitive

globally, elevate healthcare and to

lead rather than just to follow the rest

of the world.”

Having been involved in medical

research as a clinician-scientist,

Dr Toh has fi rst-hand experience in

steering both bench and clinical

research, and his efforts in

establishing cell therapy for cancer

has been encouraging. He pays

tribute to his NCCS colleagues from

whom he draws inspiration for their

dedication, passion and intellectual

fi repower.

“We’ve come a long way in the last 20

years. The climate in Singapore has

been more conducive for research

and there are now multiple funding

opportunities to compete for. A key

challenge is to balance the busy

patient-centric clinical work within a

high-performance health system

while also optimally driving a vibrant

research culture.”

A particularly exciting development in

translational research, Dr Toh

shares, is a study he is leading. Using

the patient’s own defence system to

fi ght cancer, white blood cells are

extracted and over a few months

grown to more than a billion elite

white cells. These cells can now

fi ght cancer and are infused back

into the patient’s body, letting his

re-engineered immune defence

system do the work.

“It is currently the largest study in

the world of its kind and the cell

production from bench to bedside is

extremely intensive. While still early

in the follow up, this treatment

strategy has achieved the best

results to date against advanced

nasopharyngeal cancer. We feel

very gratifi ed as tremendous hard

work has been put in.”

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31


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32

With his role as College Master at the Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School, Dr Toh is also pushing the Academic Medicine envelope in other ways. He ensures that the spirit of inquiry in Medicine stays strong and believes the vibrant environment of the school cultivates it.

“Coming from diverse backgrounds, these students remind me of my own time overseas at United World College (UWC) in Canada. The ferment of boundless creativity, talent, and energy have created a breathtaking and enriching medical school ecosystem.”

“But I look after the touchy feely stuff,” he disclaims with a chuckle. “If they have problems such as coping with the course work, it is our job to be proactive. We also engage in dialogues ranging from healthcare economics, ethics, research, career choices and confl ict resolution. It feels more like being a nurturing big brother!”

As someone so immersed in the many facets of Medicine, it is hard to imagine Dr Toh being anything else. Surprisingly, Dr Toh had hoped to be either a fi lm director, architect or writer as a child.

“Now I edit the Singapore Medical Association (SMA) newsletter instead,” he jokes. ”I chill out by reading submitted articles, and occasionally writing editorials”.

His other pastimes include recreational rowing at Pandan Reservoir, road biking – a midlife crisis decision, he offers – relaxing with family and watching DVDs.

Of the last, Dr Toh jumps to share his enthusiasm and recommends fi lms such as The Godfather Part II, The Shawshank Redemption, Terms of Endearment, Okuribito (Departures), and Chungking Express as some of his favourites.

“I like all kinds of fi lms, including the hilarious comedy The Hangover, Korean war movie 71: Into the Fire and the American football fi lm Friday Night Lights.”

Of the importance of downtime, Dr Toh refl ects, “Healthcare

providers have to take care of themselves or risk burnout. We have to enjoy lighter moments in life like kopi and makan with friends and family, and taking time out, to sit back and refl ect.”

It is this balanced approach that has kept Dr Toh at the forefront of his profession. That, and a real belief in making a difference.

1. If you could have dinner with a famous historical fi gure, who would it be?I would prefer a casual dinner party!

I would invite the great human

freedom fi ghters Martin Luther

King, Nelson Mandela and Sun Yat

Sen. Actress Audrey Hepburn, fi lm

directors Zhang Yimou and Wong

Kar Wai, architects Le Corbusier,

Tadao Ando and Rem Koolhaas,

writer James Joyce, economists

Adam Smith and Amartya Sen,

thinkers Malcolm Gladwell, Albert

Camus and Simone Weil, scientist

Sir Peter Medawar, physician Sir

William Osler, the very funny Tina

Fey and Tiger Mom Amy Chua, so I

can fi gure out why she would want

to hothouse her kids and burn their

soft toys as punishment. I will have

a long wooden table outdoors with

Italian food and sweet offerings, but

will also ask Mr Ramly to cook up

sizzlingly delicious Ramly Burgers.

2. What’s your favourite thing to do when you need a break from work?What break? ;-)

3. Can you describe the condition of your desk?Too much paperwork! I have a tonne

of papers to sign here and might end

up with “signusitis”. I also have a tin

of love letters biscuit homemade by a

very charming nonya cancer survivor

patient.

4. If someone could write a book about you, what would the title be?‘OOPS’! This is because I never

really planned my life the way it

turned out. I never really thought of

Oncology as a specialty while I was

a junior doctor. I like to be pleasantly

surprised and have been many times.

I usually hold on to faith and hope

that things will turn the corner and

turn out fi ne in the journey of life.

5. What’s your guilty pleasure?Chocolate, durian and ice-cream.

You can get solid durian ice-cream at

Udders next to United Square and at

the Daily Scoop at Sunset Way.

Take5

Dr Toh Han Chong leads the research for cure for nasopharyngeal cancer using the patient’s own defence system.



Our doctors, nurses and allied health professionals are those who play important roles of defi ning tomorrow’s Medicine. Managing work with life’s demands can be a challenge both on and off duty for them. me+SH fi nds out how three of our professionals manage to maintain

their work-life balance.

What is your normal workday like?

I have four to fi ve busy clinic sessions

a week. I am also in charge of

inpatient consultation. The ward

rounds usually starts at 8am and

ends at 11am. Other duties include

planning, teaching medical students

and seeing patients referred from

other departments. Outpatient work

can spill over to time outside clinic

and administrative tasks such as

emails can seem endless.

How do you fi nd time to squeeze

in personal time amidst your busy

schedule?

Most of us have other roles to play

– we are also parents, spouses and

children. Hence, work-life balance

is important to keep our health in

check, so we don’t get burnt-out at

work and are still able to spend time

with our family.

I have a young family, so I try to

spend my spare time with them,

such as playing badminton during

the weekend.

I’ve also started joining a Chinese

painting class and found it rather

therapeutic. I can be so immersed

in painting that I can temporarily

forget the day’s stress. By joining the

class, I get to have at least one day

in a week to end work on time as the

class starts at 6pm!

Any tips for staying healthy and

keeping sane?

You can make use of your institution’s

learning portal and attend self-help

or improvement courses. Get enough

rest and exercise. Don’t try to do too

many things, say “NO” sometimes.

Lastly, know that no one is in charge

of your happiness except yourself.

DR. CHONG YONG YEOW

Consultant, Dept of Rheumatology & Immunology, SGH

Lvme + Living

34


AIZAWA HIDEMASA MARCOStaff Nurse, Ward 56, NHCS

What is your normal work day like? As I work shifts, there is no fi xed schedule for me. It is important for me to have suffi cient rest to keep up for a day’s work.

When I am on night shift, coffee is my best friend. Supper is also helpful in keeping me awake!

How do you manage work-life balance amidst your irregular working hours?There must be something for me to do to take my mind off work and to keep my body healthy. I develop my own routine. After my morning shift, I usually go for a bike ride or run or spend the evening with my friends or family.

Before an afternoon shift, I would go for a morning run. I’ve learnt to

adapt my activities around my work. I also prefer to do such activities at night, where the traffi c is less hectic and the weather is cooler.

Any tips for staying healthy and keeping sane?It is all about working hard and playing hard at the same time! If you have the time, go to the gym or have a walk in the park to relax your mind after a long day’s work.

MARIA GOHSenior Optometrist, Optometry Services, SNEC

What is your normal work day like?Typically, I start work at 8am and take a quick 30-minute break around noon. I do not have a fi xed clinic time as I move around different clinics in SNEC. Occasionally, I’m stationed outside of SNEC, too. A typical day ends around 6pm.

How do you fi nd time to squeeze in work-life balance amidst your work schedule?Work-life balance is important as it helps me reduce accumulated stress, and improve my performance and

immunity. Good time management is crucial.

I will arrange to complete the necessary admin work at the beginning of the week, for example, staying back late on Monday or Tuesday to meet my deadlines by Wednesday so I can spare the rest of the week for sports and leisure activities.

I also try to participate in activities that are near my work place so that I can save on travelling time.

Any out-of-the-ordinary habits you do to squeeze in more time for exercise?As I stay near SNEC, I walk to and from work everyday, rain or shine. I also make it a habit to walk if the distance to my destination is only a few bus stops or MRT stations away.

Any tips for staying healthy and keeping sane?Stay calm when encountering any diffi culties and don’t sweat the small stuff!

All activities are for the respective institution’s staff only unless stated otherwise.

Staff activitiesLooking for a little work-life balance? Here are some activities at various

SingHealth Institutions!InstitutionSingHealth

Activity

Pilates Workout$6.50 x 12 sessions

Walk-a-Jog

Stair Climbing

Start DateTuesdays (till June 2011)

Wednesdays

Tuesdays and Thursdays

Contact PersonSandy Lim Lai [email protected] 8589

NHCSTaichi Class

Walking Group

Sundown Marathon 2011

Thursdays

Fridays

28 May

Noor Hudayah Mohamed [email protected] 7662

NDCTalk on Exercising

Pilates

Taiji Quan

May

May

On-going

Woo Kwai [email protected] 8886

or

Sandra [email protected] 8881

Note: activities are open to staff from all SingHealth institutions

Lvme + Living

35


A NEW, EFFICIENT PEDAGOGY METHOD:

BLENDED LEARNINGBusy work schedules, high patient loads, short attention spans, decreasing retention rates. Many factors can affect learning and teaching in healthcare — an industry where continuing education and professional development are vital for the provision of quality patient care.

In enhancing healthcare education, Blended Learning is a pedagogical practice that increases learning effi ciencies and improves training. Blended Learning is a concept of the integration of traditional classroom-based teaching methods with modern learning technologies.

A classic example would be the combination of didactic face-to-face lectures with e-learning technologies. A blend of

such educational activities creates a conducive environment for healthcare professionals to learn even outside of class time, and through dynamic online content that will help reinforce the curriculum.

SingHealth Academy has launched a Call for Interest for faculty and staff to submit their interests in the development of Blended Learning content. Participants will receive full assistance by the Academy in the development of their Blended Learning content.

For more information, please visit http://www.singhealthacademy.com.sg/Programmes/Blended-Learning

Donors play a signifi cant role in ensuring that Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School students receive the precious gift of education. Support our aspiring physician-scientists in the following ways:

1) COMMUNITY OUTREACH Education should be holistic, thus all

students are encouraged to participate

in at least one local and one regional

community outreach project. “Your gift

will support such projects, which in turn

help develop servant leadership skills

in our students”.

2) MEDICAL EDUCATION In line with our curriculum, our students

must understand and conduct research

to practice medicine. Your gift will provide

them with fi nancial assistance to attend

and present at medical symposiums,

crucial to their learning and development.

3) STUDENT AID No deserving student should be denied an education

because of fi nancial diffi culties. Your gift will help alleviate

the fi nancial burden of needy students through bursaries.

Please contact Duke-NUS’ Development Offi ce at

[email protected] for more details.

You can also donate on our website www.duke-nus.edu.sg

Hrme + Horizon

36




Documents

me+SH issue 01 FY11