It was a splendid night at Regent Hotel's Royal Pavilion Ballroom on 6 May 2017, as doctors and friends of SMA convened for this year's SMA Annual Dinner. Gracing the event as our Guest of Honour was Minister for Health, Mr Gan Kim Yong, who was greeted with a warm round of applause upon his arrival. Other distinguished guests in attendance were Senior Minister of State for health, Dr Lam Pin Min; Permanent Secretary for health, Mr Chan Heng Kee; Member of Parliament, Dr Chia Shi-Lu; and Director of Medical Services, A/Prof Benjamin Ong. The evening's programme officially commenced as SMA President Dr Wong Tien Hua took to the stage to deliver his welcome address, where he shared key developments and challenges in Singapore's healthcare landscape. He also thanked all for their presence and support, and introduced the 58th SMA Council.
Conferment of the SMA Honorary Membership
The SMA Honorary Membership is the highest possible honour that SMA can present to individuals who are distinguished in public life or who have rendered meritorious service to the medical profession or to the Association. This year, Dr Chan Sing Kit and A/Prof Goh Lee Gan were conferred the Honorary Membership and received the awards from Minister Gan.
Throughout her career, Dr Chan has been a mentor and role model to paediatricians here. Before going into private practice in 1977, she was a clinical teacher and examiner for the MBBS (NUS) and MMed (Paediatrics) examinations, and head of Paediatric (East) at Singapore General Hospital. Till today, Dr Chan continues to see patients at her clinic at Glenagles Medical Centre. A/Prof Goh has dedicated much of his time and effort to the profession. For the past 30 years, he served in multiple committees within MOH and other professional bodies, including SMA where he was President from 1999 to 2001.
Prof Tan Cheng Lim and A/Prof Cheong Pak Yean delivered the citations for Dr Chan and A/Prof Goh, respectively (see pages 12 to 14).
SMA Merit Awards
The SMA Merit Awards were presented to four recipients who have contributed significantly to SMA, the medical profession, or to social service in the community. SMA would like to thank and recognise them for their good work.
A/Prof Chew Suok Kai has helped in the advancement of public health in Singapore through his leadership roles in the protection of public health, delivery of healthcare services, and regulation of professional and healthcare services. He has received National Day Public Administration Medals (Silver) in 2003 and 2016 for his efforts in overcoming SARS and his leadership contributions, respectively.
The next SMA Merit Award recipient is Prof Ho Lai Yun, who has contributed to the advancement of paediatric care in Singapore. In 2010, he received the National Outstanding Clinician Mentor Award from MOH, as well as the Public Service Star National Day Award.
A/Prof Toh Han Chong is the third recipient of the award. He is recognised for his work in the field of cancer immunotherapy, immunology and inflammation, and was a recipient of the National Clinician Scientist Award for his pioneering work in cell therapy for cancer.
The final Merit Award recipient is Dr Wee Teck Young. Dr Wee has been involved in humanitarian and social enterprise work in Afghanistan for the past 12 years, and volunteers as a mentor to young Afghans with the Afghan Peace Volunteers. For his contributions, he was awarded the International Pfeffer Peace Prize in 2012. Dr Wee could not be present to accept the award in person.
SMA Long Service Awards
The SMA Long Service Awards were presented to ten individuals, in recognition of their constant support and service to the Association.
10 years of service
Dr Liau Kui Hin: Singapore Medical Journal (SMJ) Editorial Board since 2006.
A/Prof Lim Swee Han: CPR Training Committee since 2005.
A/Prof Poh Kian Keong: SMJ Editorial Board since 2006; SMJ Editor-in-Chief since 2014.
Dr N Venketasubramanian Ramani: SMJ Editorial Board since 2006.
Dr Tan Yia Swam: SMA Council since 2006; SMA News Editorial Board since 2008; SMA News Editor since 2014.
Prof Teo Eng Kiong: SMJ Editorial Board since 2004.
Dr Woon Yng Yng Bertha: SMA Council since 2007, Vice-Chair of the SMA Professional Indemnity Committee since 2011; Board Member of the SMA Centre for Medical Ethics and Professionalism since 2011.
Staff
Ms Lin Shirong: five years of service in the SMA Secretariat.
Ms Li Li Loy: ten years of service in the SMA Secretariat.
Ms Angeline Teoh Siok Hwa: 20 years of service in the SMA Secretariat.
SMJ Best Research Paper Awards 2016
The winners of this year's SMJ Best Research Paper Awards were selected from 74 original papers published in SMJ from January to December 2016. This award seeks to encourage the publication of high-quality research papers in the journal, and to recognise local and regional researchers for their effort and achievements. The winning teams each received a commemorative trophy and a certificate, presented by SMJ Editor-in-Chief, A/Prof Poh Kian Keong.
The first prize was awarded to the paper "Can venous base excess replace arterial base excess as a marker of early shock and a predictor of survival in trauma?" which was published in the February 2016 issue of SMJ. Adj Assistant Prof Ramesh Wijaya received the prize on behalf of his team.
Dr Lee Le Ye received the second prize for her team's paper "Limited benefit of hepatitis B immunoglobulin prophylaxis in children of hepatitis B e antigen-negative mothers", which was published in the October 2016 issue of SMJ.
Placing third was the paper "The effect of chlorhexidine in reducing oral colonisation in geriatric patients: a randomised controlled trial", which was published in the May 2016 issue of SMJ. Dr Chong Mei Chan and Sharifah Shafinaz Binti Sharif-Abdullah received the award on behalf of their team.
Conclusion
It was a delight to see members of the profession – practitioners, pioneers and mentors, friends and partners – gathered to catch up, reminisce and share their experiences. Medical students also had the opportunity to interact with Minister Gan Kim Yong, Dr Lam Pin Min and other distinguished members of the medical profession. The evening concluded on a high note and we hope to see all of you again next year!
SMA thanks our lucky draw prize sponsors: 3M Singapore Pte Ltd, Crystal Time (S) Pte Ltd and novita Singapore, and booth sponsor: Summit Planners Pte Ltd for their support. The 58th SMA Council would like to thank all guests for joining us and for making the evening a special and memorable one.
Lucky draw winners
Ms Irene Chen: 3M Littmann Electronic Stethoscope (E3200) worth $575.30 sponsored by 3M Singapore Pte Ltd
Ms Yanley Beh: Edox Grand Ocean Ultra Slim Calibre Watch worth $2,124 sponsored by Crystal Time (S) Pte Ltd
Mr How Ti Hwei: novita AirCare Pro Air/Surface Sterilizer NAS12000 worth $1,899 sponsored by novita Singapore