You would have probably read all about the SMA Annual Dinner in last month's issue of SMA News. Besides being an event where professionals of the medical fraternity met to catch up on the latest trends of the healthcare landscape and exchanged pointers on medical practices, the Dinner also brought together the Estate of Dr Michael Toh and its adopted student beneficiary Mr Tan Jian Zhou. The SMA-Dr Michael Toh Kok Kuan Medical Students' Assistance Fund was established in July 2017 and Jian Zhou, a Year 2 student from Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine, is one of its inaugural recipients.
This was the very first "reunion dinner" opportunity for our donors and student beneficiaries to meet and mingle since SMA Charity Fund's (SMACF) inception in 2013. Other guests who joined us at the SMACF table were Dr Chong Yeh Woei, co-founder of SMACF; Dr Martin Chio and Dr Daniel Yeo, SMACF donors; and student beneficiaries of SMA Medical Students' Assistance Fund (SMA-MSAF) from all three local medical schools.
While some students had their shelf examinations the day before the dinner and others had their usual rotation/module-based examinations just around the corner, everyone was glad to take a breather after weeks of intense studying. They also picked up useful "survival tips" from the senior doctors who spent a happy evening reminiscing about their past struggles as students.
SMACF is really thankful that the students and donors made time for an evening of great company. It is our shared vision to remember the tradition of our profession and to nurture a new generation of compassionate doctors who will impact healthcare. This is only possible with strong support from physician role models who inspire the next generation of doctors through their industry, perseverance, compassion and generosity.
Over the years, SMACF has been providing students with financial assistance for basic living expenses through the SMA-MSAF. In celebration of our fifth year of doing good, we hope to mobilise the medical profession to come forward as one.
ANNOUNCEMENT
SMA-MSAF bursary application for AY2018/19 is now open. All applications with full supporting documents are to be submitted online. For further enquiries, please visit our Frequently Asked Questions page at http://bit.ly/2JTUfQa or write in to bursary@sma.org.sg.