A Sensory Journey into Medicine at Anatomy Challenge 2026

By Ho Zhi Ling, Chairperson, Anatomy Challenge 2026 Organising Committee 

Anatomy Challenge 2026 kicked off on 18 April with an impressive 289 students from 26 participating schools. This year’s theme, “Perceptual Prism,” centred on the five senses – sight, sound, smell, taste, and touch.  

Following a warm welcome by Chairperson Ho Zhi Ling (LKCMedicine Year 2 student), the event began with the Individual Challenge, where participants were tested on their understanding of the anatomy and clinical relevance of the senses. 

For the second consecutive year, the Individual Challenge was conducted digitally, with the organising committee working closely with the School’s Digital Learning team to curate a more seamless individual challenge experience for our participants. The challenge was held across two venues to ensure optimal spacing and comfort.  

Participants then embarked on an experiential booth tour, engaging in hands-on anatomy learning through plastinated specimens, simulated patients, and anatomical models curated by the organising committee. At the Clinical Examinations station, facilitated by Dr Lim Yuan Guang, Neurosurgery Resident at the National Neuroscience Institute, participants tried their hand at various clinical techniques used to test for the sense of hearing and to elicit reflexes. Students were then taught to interpret these results and their implications.  

At the Simulating Pathologies booth, led by LKCMedicine students under the guidance of Dr Dimpy Gupta, Lecturer in Medical Education, participants applied clinical reasoning to diagnose conditions based on presented symptoms. Wearing glasses that simulated visual impairments, they gained a deeper appreciation of the challenges faced by individuals with sensory deficits in daily life. 

The Gross Anatomy and Clinical Examinations booths, supervised by Assoc Prof Sreenivasulu Reddy Mongali (Head of Anatomy) and Dr Tanya Tierney (Assistant Dean, Clinical Communication) respectively, offered participants a glimpse into the learning approaches at LKCMedicine, showcasing the modalities used in everyday medical education. 

Through these interactive stations, participants were introduced to diverse aspects of medicine, from gross anatomy to clinical communication and pathology, while gaining insight into the real-world relevance of their studies. Interactions with dedicated student volunteers and faculty further enriched their experience and deepened their appreciation for anatomy. 

The afternoon session opened with an address by LKCMedicine’s Vice Dean of Education, Assoc Prof Faith Chia Li-Ann, who welcomed distinguished guests, including prize sponsor Prof Low Cheng Hock, Emeritus Consultant in General Surgery at Tan Tock Seng Hospital, alongside other VIPs and participants. 

This was followed by an inspiring keynote by Guest-of-Honour Dr Tien Chih Hui Melissa, Senior Consultant in Ophthalmology, Head of Training & Education at NHG Eye Institute, and Adjunct Senior Lecturer at LKCMedicine. Dr Melissa shared her journey into ophthalmology, reflected on the importance of anatomy in her field, and encouraged participants to value their learning and apply it meaningfully in service of others. 

The finale gameshow saw teams from Anglo-Chinese Junior College, Hwa Chong Institution, Ngee Ann Polytechnic School of Health Sciences, Raffles Institution, and Temasek Polytechnic compete for the grand prize. This year featured a refreshed gameboard format inspired by Ludo, incorporating a modified dice system to reduce the element of chance based on feedback from previous editions.  

The competition provided a spectacle of gripping strategic plays kept the audience engaged throughout. In a closely contested finale, Hwa Chong Institution emerged victorious, clinching both the Anatomy Challenge Championship Trophy and the Low Cheng Hock Challenge Shield. 

Now in its second year, the Postcard Competition continued to expand Anatomy Challenge’s reach to a broader audience. The organising committee was heartened by the high quality and volume of submissions, reflecting a growing interest in the humanistic dimensions of anatomy. This initiative marks an exciting evolution of the Challenge, extending beyond clinical science into creative and experiential interpretations. The winning entry by P Sadhanah from Ngee Ann Polytechnic was featured as part of the official Anatomy Challenge merchandise. 

The Anatomy Challenge Organising Committee extends its heartfelt appreciation to the dedicated staff, faculty members, student volunteers, donors, and sponsors whose unwavering support made the event possible. Despite the challenges of organising an event of this scale, the team rose to the occasion to deliver a memorable experience. We hope all participants had an enriching and enjoyable time, and we look forward to welcoming everyone again at Anatomy Challenge 2027.