#whyLKCMedicine2024: Offerees understand why LKCMedicine should be their top choice!

Choosing a medical school requires careful consideration as it can shape a potential doctor’s entire career in healthcare. Students who have been awarded a place to study at LKCMedicine were specially invited today to the Novena Campus to learn more about the School's refreshed MBBS programme, faculty, facilities, and student life. The #whyLKCMedicine2024 engagement event provided ample opportunity for both students and parents to ask questions, interact with current students and faculty, and get a sense of whether the School is a good fit for them.

Some 300 attendees went on specially curated student-led tours to explore the LKCMedicine’s state-of-the-art, award-winning learning spaces at the Clinical Sciences Building (CSB). Due to the attendee numbers, the tours were split into two sessions, with student ambassadors bringing guests to different facilities to showcase components of the LKCMedicine MBBS programme such as Team-based Learning (TBL) at the custom-built Learning Studio, anatomy teaching at the Anatomy Learning Centre, which is home to plastinated specimens and the Anatomage table, clinical communication with simulated patients at the Communication Suite, as well as clinical procedures training at the Practical Skills Lab.

Among the highlights of the tour was a Career Talk with Alumni at the Medical Library, located on the top floor of the CSB. Guests were treated to a panoramic view of Singapore’s skyline in the background. The talk was led by Associate Professor Tang Wern Ee and Dr Lucy Wilding, with alumni from the Classes of 2019 to 2024 sharing their work experiences, as well as what potential students can expect from LKCMedicine in terms of career preparation.

In between the talks, our Chief Operating Officer Dr Serene Ng and other staff were on hand to speak with parents and the prospective students, demonstrating our full commitment to address questions about the medical school.

The main programme of #whyLKCMedicine2024 featured a line-up of speakers from LKCMedicine and our primary clinical partner, the National Healthcare Group (NHG).

LKCMedicine Dean Distinguished University Professor Joseph Sung, who is also NTU Singapore’s Senior Vice-President for Health & Life Sciences, set the tone for the session in his opening address by sharing a personal anecdote about what motivated him to read medicine and how it enabled him to better care for the people around him. He also emphasised that LKCMedicine prioritises nurturing doctors who show compassion and care.

“We will teach you how to become future-ready. You will know how to use available data to learn to become a doctor that can use technology, but at the same time, a doctor with a heart that understands the suffering and needs of patients. We really need to see our patients in a different perspective. We may not be able to cure every disease, but we can care for every patient. LKCMedicine aims to train you to be a doctor as such.”

LKCMedicine Vice-Dean for Education, Professor Jennifer Cleland then gave an overview of the School’s enhanced curriculum, and what students can expect in each year of their study. She also highlighted new features in the programme such as the introduction of cadaveric dissection, professional growth programme, as well as new sites for overseas electives and partnerships.

“We have also enhanced the Year 5 experience, where curriculum time and clinical learning opportunities will be maximised. Students can expect more detailed feedback via the learning dashboard. Students enrolling in this year’s cohort would be the first to graduate with a NTU MBBS degree,” she said.

Guests were then provided insights into the life of a LKCMedicine student by President of the LKCMedicine Students' Medical Society (LKCMedSoc) Lim Rong. The Year 4 student shared his perspective on what makes the LKCMedicine curriculum distinct, ranging from its use of TBL to clinical simulation and anatomy practicals. He further provided an overview of the House system, student-led events as well as community outreach programmes organised by LKCMedSoc.

LKCMedicine Assistant Dean (Year 5) and Senior Consultant Emergency Physician at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH, NHG) Prof Tham Kum Ying touched on how the School has designed its curriculum to suit students’ learning needs and pace, as well as better prepare them to be able to handle real challenges in the hospitals. She said, “Shaping Year 5 was a big concern. We wanted to make sure that the transition of our students to Post-Graduate Year 1 [in the hospitals] is as painless as it can be, because it will come with its challenges and stress. This is why we brought forward the exams. Having the exams earlier allows our students to focus on their Student Assistantship Programme which is like a full-dress rehearsal before they start work practising in the wards as junior doctors.”

The programme came to a close with an engaging Q&A session chaired by Assistant Dean (Admissions and Overseas Electives) Professor Kwek Tong Kiat, along with a panel featuring Prof Sung, Prof Cleland, Prof Tham, LKCMedicine Alumni Association President Dr Ken Chua, and Lim Rong. The panellists answered questions on overseas exchange opportunities, the independent NTU MBBS degree, hall stay and National Service deferment, among others.

Today’s event also saw the launch of a new initiative named Pre-Med Pals which connects our current students with prospective students via Telegram. It provides a platform for questions and clarifications on student activities, studies and campus life, so that the latter would be able to make a well-informed decision. By the end of the #whyLKCMedicine2024 event at 5pm, more than 120 students had signed up on Pre-Med Pals!

#whyLKCMedicine2024 was an enlightening experience for the attendees. Here are what prospective students, parents and our alumni had to say:

“I really like the vibrant school culture, especially the House system and Team-based Learning (TBL). I think it really sets it apart from the rest as other schools still use lecture-based style of teaching. I feel TBL suits me more because it is more independent learning at my own time and target. The current students and alumni are very well-spoken – a key aspect I have noticed about LKCMedicine graduates. Their communication skills are basically top tier. My brother is also studying at LKCMedicine, so I have seen both his personal and professional growth throughout the years. It has inspired me to also want to read medicine at LKCMedicine.”

-         Cassie Chua, 19, Anglo-Chinese Junior College

“The reason why my children choose LKCMedicine is because of the teaching methods and pedagogy. They are very impressed with the Team-based Learning. It is more effective to study at home first before attending classes for a lively discussion. Students learn via their mistakes, so I think that is a very good approach which both my children prefer.”

-         Alcas Chua, parent of Cassie Chua

“I came down today to take a look at the rather innovative style that LKCMedicine has. I think the community here is quite tight knit. I see that most of the students here know each other, and they bond really well with each other. I had a very good understanding of what life is like at LKCMedicine, as well as all the extra-curricular activities that NTU offers. I will be accepting the offer at LKCMedicine.”

-         Chantel Harshni, 19, Raffles Junior College

“The pedagogy that LKCMedicine uses, which is Team-based Learning, is the way forward with healthcare education. Being an educator myself, I think there is a lot more self-directed learning and peer assessment with TBL. I also liked the Career Talk with Alumni as it gave me diverse perspectives. My pre-conceived notion has now been broken by the fact that the School has a whole range of students who have pursued different fields and also specialised in their respective fields. The very strong foundation laid by LKCMedicine is evident.”

-         Pricilla Rajini, parent of Chantel Harshni

“What attracted me to LKCMedicine is the overseas elective programme. It is an enticing factor especially for prospective students like me to be able to go overseas while still studying locally. I also appreciate the way LKCMedicine formats its exam structure. It makes it convenient for students to consolidate their learning without being put in a very academically stressful environment. That for me is a huge draw, as compared to other medical schools where they have more frequent tests.”

-         Zhu Kun Yuan, 20, Hwa Chong Institution

“LKCMedicine offers quite an enriching programme that involves both technology and soft skills in medicine. The programme is future-proof, training doctors that the healthcare system would need to have eventually. The Team-based Learning is a feature that will allow me to grow as a doctor and team player.”

-         Lee Yi, 19, Hwa Chong Institution

“It’s really nice to see all the pre-med students and to share our experiences at the hospitals with them. Giving them a realistic account of our experiences would hopefully offer them a better idea of what to look forward to. I am also glad to be back at LKCMedicine again, reminiscing all the good times of being a student.”

-         Hannah Abbott, Class of 2022