Published on 08 December 2023

To the Graduating Class: Heal the World

Professor Joseph Sung
Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine

To the class of 2023, Congratulations!!! Your determination and hard work are paying off. As you leave our School grounds, I want to leave you with a few words. I pray that these words will guide you in your career for many years to come.

You are now equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills as a physician and I urge you to go out and “Heal the World”. This is the title of a Michael Jackson song released in 1991. Have you heard of it?

people crying, there are people suffering. If you care enough for the living, you can make a better place for everyone, including you and me.”

You may ask: Is that an exaggeration? Who am I to make the world a better place? You may not save the world tomorrow, but you can start from the first day in your first job, the first clinic, first ward round, first prescription, first surgery and from your home country to other countries which are also in need. Day by day when you become more experienced and more skilled, you can certainly help more people. You need to “care” and “care enough” for others. We certainly care enough for our income, our work-life balance, our career, but most importantly, we need to care for others.

Do you remember when we interviewed you for admission to the School? We asked you why you want to study medicine. I don’t know what you have pledged but I hope you said you love to care for people.

If that is what you have pledged, please don’t forget it. Don’t let your dreams die. Don’t say you were too naïve. Don’t give up on your goal. Don’t be frustrated with the system. Don’t claim that you are more mature now and becoming more pragmatic. Do keep your dreams alive and keep that place in your heart thriving, because there are people waiting.

When you start working in the hospitals, as a house officer, remember to help your colleagues, watch over each other’s shoulders, cheer up people who are down with exhaustion and disappointment. Walk the extra mile with your colleagues; share each other’s experience and knowledge. Don’t be selfish. Don’t be mean. Only when you are willing to help each other, and working together as a team, then you will get your colleagues to help you when you are in trouble. Your seniors will see that this is a good fellow to train. Your patients will realise that they are in the hands of a doctor with his/her heart in the right place.

Heal the world. My best wishes to all of you.

Professor Joseph Sung
Dean, Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine