Celebrating the Class of 2020

For LKCMedicine's Class of 2020, graduating in the midst of the Covid-19 pandemic meant they could not have an in-person Convocation ceremony just yet, so the School organised a virtual celebration instead. 

Held on 25 July, the celebration began with a warm welcome from LKCMedicine's Governing Board Chairman Mr Lim Chuan Poh, who congratulated the Class of 2020 on hitting this first milestone in their career as doctors, made all the more significant as it coincides with the School's 10th anniversary year. 

In a special pre-recorded message, Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat sent his congratulations and thanked the LKCMedicine Class of 2020 for working tirelessly with others on the frontline, to keep us safe in a critical time of need. 

DPM ended his speech with, "You may have graduated in the wake of a global pandemic, but your future is bright and full of promise. I hope you also remember the values of - humility, integrity, compassion, continuous learning, and professionalism - that LKCMedicine has taught you. You must always remember the Physician's Peldge that you will soon be taking - the values that you will uphold, and your responsiblity to your patients. Your journey has just begun, and I hope that you continue to learn and grow. In your hands, we entrust the health of our people. Congratulations once again". 

NTU President Professor Subra Suresh also sent his well wishes to the newly-minted doctors via a pre-recording.

In his message, Prof Subra said the Class of 2020 is now part of Singapore's frontliners, who are not only battling diseases but also Covid-19.

He added, "I know it is not easy on you. However, when the going gets tough, ask yourselves these questions: What drew you to pursue medicine? Why did you want to be a doctor? At the end of the day, what kind of doctor do you hope to be? Please don't ever lose sight of why you are here."

This was followed by a video compilation of congratulatory messages from various members of the Imperial leadership led by Imperial President Professor Alice Gast.

LKCMedicine Dean Professor James Best then introduced the Class of 2020 and the Medal and Prize winners.

Leading the cohort was valedictorian Dr Ong Kim Yao who was also awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal for best overall performance throughout the programme of study; the Anthony Teo – Gordon Johnson Gold Medal for outstanding achievement (Years 3 to 5); and the Chee Yam Cheng Gold Medal in Professionalism Ethics, Law Leadership and Safety (PELLS).

Dr Ong also received the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award which recognises students who have graduated with distinction, displayed strong leadership qualities, and contributed significantly to society.

Dr Reudi Chan Jun Wen was also awarded the Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award, as well as the Low Cheng Hock Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Surgery.

The Toh Kian Chui Gold Medal for best overall performance in the final year of study went to Dr Koo Jian Hui who was also awarded the Chew Chin Hin Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Medicine.

Dr Lee Jie Qi was awarded the College of Family Physicians Singapore Prize in Family Medicine, and Dr Alex Tanoto Lim was awarded the Academy of Medicine Singapore Medal which recognises the graduating student who has demonstrated qualities of independence, initiative, and resilience; and possesses qualities of leadership, passion, and compassion. The inaugural Singapore Medical Association Prize for Best Scholarly Project went to Dr Chong Hern Zi, Joelle.

Prof Best said the Class of 2020 has performed admirably in the five years of the MBBS programme. 

A video montage of the Class of 2020 created by the LKCMedicine Students Medical Society brought back fond memories of the years the cohort spent at the School.

Next, the attendees heard from Valedictorian Dr Ong, who summed up the feelings of his classmates as they embark on the next exciting phase of their journey towards becoming the doctors that you and I want caring for us. 

He said medicine is always about people.

"The relationships are some of my best memories from medical school, and I'm sure they will continue to be some of our biggest takeaways from our medical careers. May we continue to extend the same compassion that we have for our patients to each other as we journey through the next few decades together - to dignify rather than reduce, to help instead of judge and to continue to support each other unconditionally," said Dr Ong.

A rousing performance by MedLee took this celebratory event to another high. The performance was especially significant as the founding members of the acapella group were from the Class of 2020. 

Year 4 student Wong Wei Cong followed with a recital of his thought-provoking poem 'Letter to a Young Doctor'. 

President of the LKCMedicine Alumni Association Dr Leon Tan (Class of 2018) then welcomed the Class of 2020 to the LKCMedicine alumni family, before the hour-long event ended with NTU Deputy President and Provost Professor Ling San, Group CEO of NHG Professor Philip Choo, Director for Medical Services Assoc Prof Kenneth Mak, Prof Best, LKCMedicine Vice-Dean of Education Professor Naomi Low-Beer who represented the School, sending their best wishes to the class.