Honouring Founding Chairman Lim Chuan Poh at Appreciation Dinner

On the crisp evening of 13 February, LKCMedicine held a special dinner for founding Chairman Mr Lim Chuan Poh in appreciation of his more than 14 years of exceptional service to the School.

Attended by some 60 leaders, partners, students and alumni, the event celebrated the immense success of his leadership, which began at the end of 2010 when the School was first set up jointly by Nanyang Technological University, Singapore and Imperial College London. 

Mr Lim stepped down as Chairman of the medical school on 1 January this year, and leaves behind sturdy foundations and a strong legacy, reflected in LKCMedicine’s internationally benchmarked MBBS programme, the seven cohorts of young doctors now delivering care with compassion on the frontlines of Singapore’s healthcare system, the School’s transformative research programme aimed towards better patient outcomes, and the solid corporate governance at the School.

In her welcome speech, new board Chair Ms Chan Lai Fung opined that as former Permanent Secretary for Education at the Ministry of Education, and having been involved in the creation of Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School back in 2005, Mr Lim was the best person for the job, as she recalled the first event she attended at the School – the groundbreaking ceremony of LKCMedicine in May 2012.    

“As I stood there at the event, I was thinking what a masterstroke to get Chuan Poh to chair this young medical school… as then-Permanent Secretary for Education, knowing that Chuan Poh was going to be the chair, I can rest easy.”

Dean Professor Joseph Sung then shared the highlights of his working relationship with Mr Lim, during which Mr Lim paid equal attention to efforts towards education excellence, groundbreaking research and good governance. “Thank you Chuan Poh … it is more than about your comforting presence; it is knowing that we can always rely on your institutional knowledge, your familiarity with every key stakeholder, and your sharp reading of what needs to be addressed.”

Mr Lim has had a sterling record in public service, helming several sectors in his distinguished career spanning defence, education, research, foreign service, and future technology. As a gesture of thanks and deep appreciation for his invaluable contributions and staunch belief in the School’s mission, on behalf of the School, Ms Chan presented him with two tokens of appreciation: a framed number 1 print of a watercolour painting of the School’s heritage headquarters building, and a specially-produced coffee-table book capturing highlights of his 14-year stewardship of LKCMedicine.

During dinner, guests watched a video featuring well-wishers near and far – all of whom worked with Mr Lim at different junctures.

Among them, Professor Kenneth Mak, Director-General of Health at the Ministry of Health, also a member of the LKCMedicine board, who shared, “Chuan Poh has been very keen to explore how the School can do better in Singapore not just in the delivery of healthcare but also in the research and innovation space. He’s always asking questions about whether or not this research that we are going to fund and support value-adds to our system not just in the here and now but also in the future when it comes to the care model that we are influencing and impacting.”

Dean of Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, Professor Chong Yap Seng, observed, “One of the greatest things I’m most happy about is as two undergraduate medical schools in Singapore, we have similar missions but slightly different styles. Under your chairmanship, the differences have been sources of inspiration, and reasons for collaboration, rather than competition or conflict. And for that, we have you to thank for, for the way you set the tone in the way the two schools work together.” 

Permanent Secretary in the Prime Minister’s Office for National Research and Development, as well as Public Sector Science and Technology Policy and Plans, Professor Tan Chorh Chuan remarked, “The LKC[Medicine] school is so lucky to have Chuan Poh serve as its founding chairman over the last 14 years. Chuan Poh has brought tremendous vision, knowledge and leadership that has helped the School move quickly from an idea to its successful fruition. It is now a very important part of our health, research and educational system.”

NTU Provost Professor Ling San thanked Mr Lim, “Chuan Poh has been with LKCMedicine right from the very beginning so he knows a lot of things that have happened from the very beginning and this has been very helpful in a lot of the decision-making and a lot of the crossroads we have had to travel… With this kind of perspective, it helps us to make decisions, understanding how previous decisions have been made.” 

Imperial Provost Professor Ian Walmsley contributed his views, “Your vision and guidance has been instrumental in shaping the School’s growth and strengthen its reputation, and in fostering a culture of excellence in medical education and research. It’s been an honour to work with you on the LKCMedicine board and I and my colleagues deeply appreciate your unwavering commitment to advancing healthcare and education in Singapore.”

Also from the UK, Professor Jenny Higham, former Senior Vice-Dean of LKCMedicine, now Vice-Chancellor of the University of Suffolk, added, “Many years ago I first met you, and your mastery of both the detail and the strategic was so fantastic during the pro-tem governing board, and substantive arrangements.”

Former NTU President Professor Bertil Andersson, who was right at the start with Mr Lim in setting up the medical school, recalled, “NTU and Imperial had both come to the conclusion that Lim Chuan Poh was the perfect choice,  which also received governmental support… Under Lim Chuan Poh’s long and dedicated leadership of the board, LKC[Medicine] has become a prime institution in Singapore. Thank you Chuan Poh. It has been exciting to work with you during those pioneering years of LKCMedicine.” 

And from Group Chief Executive Officer of National Healthcare Group, Professor Joe Sim, “We have worked together to produce generations of doctors who are not just competent, but also having the right values and mindset that will take them far in their career as they make a difference to the lives they touch and the system that they serve.” 

Others who recorded their views brought more smiles and knowing glances among the audience.

The dinner ended on a high note, with laughter peppering the candid photo-taking of Mr Lim with attendees at every table.

The School is immensely grateful to Mr Lim for his many years of service, his time and tireless support to bring our vision to fruition. It is with pleasure that we wish him the very best for his next adventure!