Message from Our Staff: Welcome, Class of 2027! 

By LKCMedicine Vice-Dean (Education) Professor Jennifer Cleland

Congratulations to each and every one of you. The opportunity to join our outstanding medical school comes in recognition of your academic and personal achievements. You bring a rich array of backgrounds, experiences and talents which will enhance not only our School but also the practice of medicine in Singapore.   

Over the next five years, you will learn the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for the practice of medicine. You will learn about healthcare and how to work with colleagues and patients. You will learn about research and medical education. We will provide you with many learning opportunities to develop your collaborative clinical and communication capabilities in preparation for future clinical work. You will learn to exemplify certain professional values and behaviours that engender trust from patients and the wider society.   

This transformation from “lay person” to doctor takes time. Don’t try to run before you can walk! You need to “be” a medical student before you can “be” a doctor. You need to be able to say, “I don't know.” There is no question too stupid to ask. You are committing to a lifetime of learning – know what you don't know, don’t feel bad about it, and know how to find out!  In fact, you will never know everything. It’s just not possible in our constantly and rapidly changing world. So be adaptable. Use information tools.  Keep a clear set of values and put patients at the centre of everything. As the author TH White said, learning “is the only thing which the mind can never exhaust, never alienate, never be tortured by, never fear or distrust, and never dream of regretting.”  

Please use the many opportunities available to explore the world of medicine. Be curious.  Keep an open mind as to the areas of medicine which might end up being your passion for the next 40 to 50 years. Be open to changing your mind as to what kind of doctor you will be. You will rotate through many different specialties over time, and we know that exposure to a specialty is critical to career decision making. 

We will guide you through this transformative journey, from new learner to new doctor. Indeed, everything we do at LKCMedicine is to support you in becoming dedicated clinicians who will have a sustained positive impact on the health of individuals and communities.

It’s not all work and no play. Please engage with the many student societies and activities within NTU and LKCMedicine. These include Arts and Culture events, the annual LKCMedicine Dinner & Dance, sport competitions and so on. Help others. Get involved in the local and international community projects. 

The more adventurous you are, the more you get to experience, the more you learn, and of course, the more you grow. Use this as a time for personal as well as professional growth. And please make sure you have fun.

Finally, the White Coat Ceremony is the first symbolic step into the profession of medicine. At the Ceremony, you receive your white coats from LKCMedicine faculty members, then take an oath pledging honesty and integrity in your practice of medicine. Family and friends are invited to witness as you take your first symbolic step into the medical profession. After two years of disruption due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we are so glad to be able to welcome you to the profession of medicine safely in person this year.

Welcome to LKCMedicine.