Regent Singapore's Royal Pavilion Ballroom was ablaze with celebration as SMA hosted her 60th Anniversary Annual Dinner on 4 May 2019. Upon registration, guests went about to mingle with one another and visit our sponsors' booths,which included a splendid display of Maserati's Levante GranSport, before a night of feasting, catching up and collegial networking. With a fine fitting theme of red and gold, the reception area and ballroom were indeed ready for a celebration – complete with balloons and even an instant photo booth! SMA Charity Fund (SMACF) also took the opportunity to share with guests about their "Adopt-a-Bear" campaign, a newly launched effort that raises funds for needy medical students. A special drink designed for the occasion, dubbed the "SMAshing Sunrise", was also available on tap. Featuring our vibrant corporate colours, the mocktail represented the passion and optimism that SMA embraces as an Association ready for what's next on the horizon.
Dressed to the nines for SMA's landmark event of the year, the more than 500 guests in attendance included medical professionals and students, SMA volunteers, partners and stakeholders. Also in our midst was our Guest of Honour, Mr Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for Social Policies, and his wife; distinguished parliamentarians
Dr Lam Pin Min, Dr Tan Wu Meng, Mr Chan Heng Kee, A/Prof Benjamin Ong, Dr Chia Shi-Lu and Dr Lim Wee Kiak; as well as Dr Mohamed Namazie Ibrahim and Prof Rai Mra, Presidents of the Malaysia and Myanmar Medical Associations, respectively. The dinner commenced with SMA President Dr Lee Yik Voon delivering his opening address (see page 12), which touched on some important milestones that SMA has achieved over the past 60 years. He ended his address with a reminder for SMA to continue leading, integrating, facilitating and empowering to serve the healthcare needs of our nation.
Conferment of SMA Honorary Membership
One of the highlights of the evening was the conferment of the SMA Honorary Membership on Guest of Honour Senior Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam. First instituted in 1969, the SMA Honorary Membership is the highest honour that SMA can bestow on individuals who are distinguished in public life or who have rendered meritorious service to the medical profession or to the Association.
SMA Council Member Dr Wong Chiang Yin took the stage to deliver the citation for Mr Tharman (see page 14), during which he highlighted interesting facts about Mr Tharman and how his setbacks and detours leading up to his life as a politician "make him human in a crowd of superhumans".
Mr Tharman was then invited on stage to receive the SMA Honorary Membership from Dr Lee Yik Voon, in the form of a scroll written by well-known Master calligrapher Mr Kee Meng Cheng. Featured on the scroll is the Mandarin phrase "嘉谋善政", which means "excellent strategising and skilful governing", in alignment with Mr Tharman's role as a servant leader.
A celebratory toast
After the 60th SMA Council was introduced, wheeled to the middle of the stage was a special cake to celebrate the Association's big 60. A refreshing tropical combination of coconut, lime and mango, the cake signifies SMA's continual efforts to provide a refreshing take on matters close to the hearts of our profession. The 500-strong crowd rose from their chairs and toasted to SMA's achievements in its 60 years and to many more great years ahead.
Senior Minister Tharman addresses the crowd
Amid the evening's proceedings, Senior Minister Tharman took to the stage to deliver a short impromptu speech. He acknowledged that it is a uniquely challenging but also motivating period for Singapore healthcare as our society gets older. He commended our medical professionals, planners and policymakers for being up to the challenge, and said, "we really want to do something special in Singapore, to ensure that healthcare is both affordable and high quality, and that it is humanistic, not as a showcase to the world, but for our own people." Mr Tharman also offered a timely reminder to "not think of ourselves as [belonging to the] public or private sector, but think of ourselves as professionals in the service of society, playing complementary roles."
Presentation of awards
Over the span of the Dinner, SMA presented several awards to recognise and thank individuals for their hard work and dedication towards the Association, the medical profession and research, and/or to the community.
SMA Merit Award
Launched in 2003, the SMA Merit Award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to SMA and the medical profession, or social service to the community. This year, four recipients were awarded the SMA Merit Award.
Prof Chacha Pesi Bejonji is an orthopaedic surgeon who has contributed significantly to the advancement of microsurgery in Singapore and the region, as well as to the training of many young surgeons in the field. He credits his achievements in microsurgery to a few unsung heroes, including Prof Robert Pho, Prof Kanagasundaram, Mr Moorthy and Mr Tow Siang Hong, without whom the establishment of microvascular surgery in Singapore would not have been possible.
Prof Fock Kwong Ming is a clinical professor at National University of Singapore Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine and an adjunct professor at Duke-NUS Medical School. He has made great contributions to gastroenterology, the enhancement of the quality of care and patient safety, and the adoption of good risk management practices.
Dr Tan See Leng is the group chief executive officer and managing director at IHH Healthcare and its subsidiary, Parkway Pantai. For more than two decades, his foresight and expertise has helped transform Singapore's primary care landscape and strengthened our nation's reputation across the region and beyond.
Prof Wong Tien Yin is the medical director of Singapore National Eye Centre and the President of the College of Ophthalmologists in Singapore. Apart from several other professional commitments, he is also the immediate-past chairman of the SMACF. His thought leadership and altruism for the betterment of our profession is indeed commendable and inspirational.
We would like to congratulate the SMA Merit Award 2019 recipients for their good work towards Singapore's healthcare.
SMA Long Service Award
The SMA Long Service Award serves to appreciate individuals who have contributed their time and services to SMA's committees. A big thank you to all awardees for your hard work and support of the Association!
20 years of service
Prof Low Cheng Hock: SMA Pte Ltd Board of Trustees (since 2005); SMA Trust Fund Board of Trustees (since 2008); SMA Representative, Courage Fund Board of Directors (since 2013); SMA Council (1997 – 2004); SMA President (2001-2003)
Dr Jonathan Pang: Squash Convenor, SMA Sports and Games Committee (since 1990)
Dr Julian Theng: Tennis Convenor, SMA Sports and Games Committee (since 1996)
Dr Tan Kok Soo: SMA Complaints Committee (1991–2000); Private Practice Committee (1997 – 2005); Professional Indemnity Committee (1996 – 2006); SMA Trust Fund Board of Trustees (since 2006); SMA Council (1991 – 2001); SMA President (1993 – 1996)
SMA Secretariat Long Service Award
The SMA Secretariat Long Service Award recognises staff members' dedication and service to the SMA Secretariat, which assists the SMA Council in managing the diverse roles and responsibilities of the SMA.
Ten years of service
Mrs Sarah Lim, Head of Division, Publications
Mr Lee Sze Yong, Head of Department, Council Support
Five years of service<
Ms Nurul Faizzah Mohd Azmi, Senior Executive, SMJ
SMJ Best Research Paper Award 2018 recipients
The Singapore Medical Journal (SMJ) Best Research Paper Award seeks to recognise local and regional researchers for their exemplary research efforts, and encourage high-quality research work in the SMJ. This year, the top three research papers were selected from 62 original papers published in the SMJ from January to December 2018. The commemorative trophies and certificates were presented to the awardees by SMJ Editor-in-Chief A/Prof Poh Kian Keong.
The first prize was awarded to the paper "Patient satisfaction with the cervical ripening balloon as a method for induction of labour: a randomised controlled trial", published in the August 2018 issue of the SMJ. Dr Sheri Ee-lin Lim received the award on behalf of her team.
The second prize went to the paper "Frequent hospital admissions in Singapore: clinical risk factors and impact of socioeconomic status", published in the January 2018 issue of the SMJ. Dr Low Lian Leng represented his team in receiving the award.
Two research papers were tied for the third prize. The first paper, "Cost-effectiveness of two-dose human papillomavirus vaccination in Singapore", was published in the July 2018 issue of the SMJ. Dr Woo Yun Sohn received the award on behalf of her team. The second paper was "Prognostic factors for mortality due to pneumonia among adults from different age groups in Singapore and mortality predictions based on PSI and CURB-6", published in the April 2018 issue of the SMJ. Dr Zoe Zhang Xiaozhu, who was to collect the award on her team's behalf, sent her apologies as she was unable to attend the dinner.
A night to remember
As the night wore on, many guests were spotted catching up and snapping photos with fellow colleagues and friends, and we hope that the dinner was an excellent opportunity to kickstart meaningful conversations and rekindle old friendships. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Guest of Honour Senior Minister Tharman for taking time to grace the event, as well as SMA Members and guests for the evening of joyous celebration. Last but not least, we would also like to thank the following organisations for their support and sponsorship of the event: Tridente Automobili Pte Ltd, Oxley Holdings Limited and Summit Planners Pte Ltd. Till next year!
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