Dr Lee and Dr Loo represent the Residents in sharing their feedback at group and ministry levels to fine-tune programmes
Moulding Future Leaders in Medicine
From left: Dr Katrina Heng, Dr Benny Loo, Dr Jill Lee and Dr Muhammad Fairuz
The largest sponsoring institution for residency programmes in Singapore, SingHealth Residency strives to develop our Residents into innovative, highly skilled medical leaders and self-directed learners with a strong sense of ethics and compassion who are able to provide better care for patients. With two hospitals, five national specialty centres, nine polyclinics and a community hospital, along with training from major participating site, Changi General Hospital, SingHealth has high clinical volume and rich variety of specialties and subspecialties, thereby providing Residents with comprehensive clinical training and opportunities for growth. Together with a strategic Academic Medicine partnership with Duke-NUS, interdepartmental rotation, and exposure to developing research and teaching programmes, it is apparent that SingHealth Residency offers Residents the best capacity to grow. Dr Benny Loo, a Pediatric Resident, took all this into account when he joined SingHealth Pediatric Residency Program. He cites dedicated clinician mentors like Prof Tan Cheng Lim, Emeritus Consultant, Department of Paediatric Subspecialties, Haematology Oncology Service, KKH, as one of the many role models at SingHealth whom he looks up to. Having been with SingHealth from the start of his career, Dr Loo shared that “the strong value of appreciating all doctors is a major factor in my decision to stay with SingHealth.” For Dr Jill Lee, an Obstetrics & Gynecology Resident, she chose the program for its rich opportunities. “I felt welcome and enriched, not just by the good clinical
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training, but also by the positive relationships I developed with my peers and seniors,” said Dr Lee. As co-chairs of the Residents' Committee (2012-2013), Dr Lee and Dr Loo represent the Residents in sharing their feedback at group and ministry levels to fine-tune programmes. In FY 2012, the committee initiated offsite access to electronic medical journals, as well as childcare facilities and scholarships. These initiatives will better Resident’s welfare and educational needs. There are also plenty of opportunities for them to hone their leadership skills, such as representing Residents at the Graduate Medical Education Committee (GMEC); through involvement in various research and education events, such as a Resident-led workshop at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Education Conference 2013; and facilitating the upcoming SingHealth Duke-NUS Scientific Congress in 2014. To improve the learning environment for Residents, the Committee also places great emphasis on ensuring an all-rounded development for Residents with many projects planned for the year ahead in the areas of volunteerism, social and team building. Being firm believers of the Academic Medicine ethos, both of Dr Lee and Dr Loo also instill and encourage fellow Residents to incorporate Academic Medicine in their daily clinical practice. “Modelling themselves on Academic Medicinepractising faculty members allows trainees to learn the ropes and know who to turn to when they encounter difficulties. SingHealth's growth as an Academic Healthcare Cluster will also attract more talented doctors to participate and contribute in this field. When Residents have a greater sense of satisfaction practicing Academic Medicine, it will serve as a positive reinforcement, spurring them on in the long run,” said Dr Loo.
