MASTER'S MESSAGE (SEP 2012)

28 September 2012

Dear Fellow Academicians

The Academy of Medicine, Singapore has reached another milestone in its history.  Fifty-five years on, the Academy continues to strengthen and renew its fellowship at the annual Induction Comitia.

This year, 75 new Fellows were formally inducted to the Academy’s fellowship at the Induction Comitia held on 23 August 2012.   Guest-of-Honour, Dr Amy Khor, Minister of State for Health, was joined by invited guests, colleagues, friends and family, to bear witness of the conferment in a capacity-filled auditorium at the Health Promotion Board. 

I took the occasion to address and remind all Fellows the challenges, standards and duty of a good physician, and call to emulate the standards of professionalism and ethical practice exemplified by Sir William Osler and Sir Gordon Arthur Ransome. 

In her speech, Dr Amy Khor highlighted that the Ministry recognised the Academy’s important role in supporting continuing medical education (CME) activities over the years.  She also noted the Academy’s strategic plans and the key priorities, namely to be the leader in providing continuing professional development (CPD) and the maintenance of professional standards for specialists.  To that, she commended the Academy for its high sense of duty towards its Fellows.

The entire proceedings of the Induction Comitia, i.e. programme, speeches, quotes and photo gallery, can be viewed on our website.

The Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration fundraising campaign, chaired by Dr V Anantharaman, was launched at the Induction Comitia with a moving tribute to the man and his contributions to medicine.  Professor Ransome is not only the Academy’s Founding Master but is also widely regarded as the father of modern medicine, who taught and nurtured many of our eminent clinical leaders.

I am pleased to update that the fundraising campaign has received to-date donations totalling $31,500.00 since its launch.  We hope to achieve our target of $400,000.00 by the next Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration which will be held on 23 August 2013.

We are still a long way from our mark.  Hence I wish to urge our Fellow Academicians to contribute and help perpetuate the legacy and teachings of Professor Ransome who embodies the highest standards of patient care and education.

To donate, please visit the Gordon Arthur Ransome Oration page.

Once again, the College of Physicians, Singapore has put together an outstanding programme for the Medicine Review Course.  The 2-day programme, held on 8-9 September at the Khoo Teck Puat Hospital Tower B Auditorium, was well attended by 188 registered delegates. 

Led by Dr Lau Tang Ching and members of his Organising Committee, the course weaved in a rich mix of common and important topics in Internal Medicine, keeping fellow medical specialists and trainees abreast of the recent updates and important developments.  The programme was further enhanced by the exceptional choice of speakers and topics for the Seah Cheng Siang Memorial Lecture and College of Physicians, Singapore Lecture. 

Prof A Vathsala delivered the 22nd Seah Cheng Siang Memorial Lecture and gave an insightful and open account on “Renal Transplantation in Singapore: A Historical Perspective, Controversies, Challenges and Future Directions”. The 9th College of Physicians, Singapore Lecture was presented by Prof C Rajasoorya who offered an engaging and thoughtful perspective on “Medical Education and Professional Training: Changing the Trajectory.”  For Fellows Academicians who have missed the excellent lectures, I strongly encourage you to review the lecture slides featured on the course website.

It is also well-timed to note the Academy’s contribution towards medical education in the formative years.  Since 1978, the Academy has endowed several NUS Medals and Prizes to inspire medical students, our doctors of tomorrow, to strive for the highest standard in academic excellence. 

Please join me to congratulate the award recipients of Academic Year 2011/2012 on their outstanding achievements:-

The Subordinate Courts of Singapore recently initiated a new practice directive for personal injury claims of less than $20,000, which are the bulk of cases.  The procedure is intended to streamline work-flow, cut down on unnecessary and prolonged documentation and red-tape, and reduce costs.  The Academy was consulted on the matter of medical reports for such claims and had been actively involved in assisting the Subordinate Courts with this new scheme.  The scheme is set to roll out on 22 November 2012.

On 31 August 2012, the College of Dental Surgeons, Singapore responded in support of the Ministry of Health’s water fluoridation policy to be an ecologically safe and effectual public health measure. The Academy and its Colleges will continue to be active in providing professional opinions to the Ministry of Health and the public.

One of the top Academy’s priorities is to increase our fellowship and professional representation.  One of the more influential catalysts to achieving this is you.  I hope you can join us to call upon our non-Fellow specialists to join the Academy. 

The practice of medicine and the interest and future of our specialties should be decided by specialists.  There is a whole range of challenging professional issues which we need our voices to be included.  Clearly, strength lies in numbers.  A strong and well-represented Academy will be a more dominant body to advocate for our profession and to improve standards of medical care.

A stronger membership will also enable the Academy better critical mass to improve its membership benefits and privileges.  Here is where you can find more information to interest your non-Fellow friends and colleagues to join: http://ams.edu.sg/membership/join-the-academy. 

We can all make a difference for the Academy, our Fellows and our profession.

Best Wishes

Dr LIM Shih Hui

Master

Academy of Medicine, Singapore

Back To Top