AHS Day 2026 Unites Leaders, Clinicians and Researchers at LKCMedicine

Text: Sanjay Devaraja | Photos: Aaron Koo

Leaders, clinicians, researchers, educators and administrators from NHG Health and LKCMedicine’s Academic Health System (AHS) gathered for a morning of celebration, recognition and partnership-building at NTU Singapore’s Novena Campus on 21 September 2026.  

Titled AHS Day 2026: Forging One AHS, the event underscored the “One AHS” vision by bringing together diverse stakeholders to celebrate shared achievements and foster collaboration in translational research and innovation which aims to deliver meaningful outcomes for patients and the broader community. 


The main programme commenced with welcome remarks by Professor Joseph Sung, Co-Chair of the AHS Steering Committee (ASC) and Dean of LKCMedicine, who emphasised the importance of unity and a shared purpose across the AHS.  

Prof Sung noted that in less than 24 months, AHS has established the Academic Partnership Office and 10 Academic Clinical Programmes. Highlighting both the rapid progress made and the work still ahead, Prof Sung framed the milestone as a launchpad for deeper collaboration across the academic health system.

“Today’s event is not only a celebration of what we have accomplished over the past two years, but also an opportunity to look ahead and reflect on what we aspire to achieve together in the years to come. I can see that the enthusiasm is growing. More young clinicians and clinician-scientists are coming forward to take on research projects and become more actively involved in academic activities. I would particularly like to emphasise that LKCMedicine should play a more active role in this partnership. We want to encourage our faculty, especially those involved in basic science research, to participate more actively in the Academic Health System,” shared Prof Sung. 


In his opening address, Professor Joe Sim, NHG Health’s Group Chief Executive Officer, spoke on the value of partnership and collaboration in advancing clinical care, research and education within the AHS framework.

“At the end of the day, an Academic Health System is not built only for clinicians and academics, but is also built for our population. Singapore is facing rapidly ageing demographics, increasingly complex chronic conditions and changing patterns of disease. The innovations we pioneer, the clinical models we develop and the research we translate must directly improve the daily lives of the two million residents living in central and northern Singapore. At the same time, our ambition must extend beyond our immediate geography. We have the opportunity and the responsibility to make a difference to many more people, both in Singapore and internationally. Ultimately, an Academic Health System is about ensuring that our patients receive tomorrow’s care today,” said Prof Sim.

Tokens of Appreciation were presented to the 10 Academic Clinical Programmes (ACP) in recognition of their contributions to advancing clinical care, education and research across the AHS, namely:  

1. Family Medicine ACP
2. Gastrointestinal Health ACP
3. Infectious Disease ACP
4. Mental Health ACP
5. Orthopaedic Surgery ACP
6. Rehabilitation Health ACP
7. Respiratory Health ACP
8. Rheumatology, Allergy and Immunology ACP
9. Skin Health ACP
10. Sustainable Ageing and Geriatric Excellence ACP

The Academy of Clinician Scientists and Innovators concluded the third Academic Health System (AHS) Awards 2026, which recognise individuals and teams who have made outstanding contributions to improve health outcomes or delivery and to promote the culture for continuous research and innovation.  

The call was opened from June to July 2026, followed by a review panel meeting in August to evaluate the nominations. A total of nine awards were presented across six categories, including the newly introduced Team Impact Award.

The impact of these contributions was further illustrated through awardee sharing sessions. Adjunct Associate Professor Kalisvar Marimuthu, Assistant Professors Fan Bingwen Eugene and Chow Minyang, as well as Dr Loh Pei Yi, a LKCMedicine alumna, also shared their inspiring journeys reflecting on their award-winning work, the significance of their contributions and the impact of their research and innovation.


The event’s centrepiece was a mentorship panel discussion titled “How Mentorship Shapes Research & Innovation”, which brought together senior clinicians, scientists and educators to examine how structured guidance nurtures talent across the AHS.

The panel featured Professor Lim Kah Leong, whose career spans translational neuroscience research and leadership in biomedical sciences; Associate Professors Sunny Wong and Mythily Subramaniam, who draw on extensive experience in clinical training as well as microbiome and mental health research respectively; as well as Dr John Ying and Dr Loh Pei Yi, who offered perspectives from the next generation of clinician–researchers.

Associate Professor Angela Chow moderated the conversation, drawing out practical insights on building mentoring relationships, sustaining research productivity and fostering a culture of innovation within AHS. 


Professor Benjamin Seet, NHG Health’s Group Chairman Medical Board (Research) and Co-Chair of ASC, delivered the closing remarks, encouraging researchers to work closely with NHG Health to access the support, expertise and resources needed to advance their research and translate findings into meaningful improvements in patient care. 

Prior to the main programme, attendees joined a guided tour of LKCMedicine research facilities, including the Dementia Research Centre, Singapore (DRCS), Co11ab, HELIOS: Health for Life in Singapore Study, Brain Bank Singapore and the various research laboratories at the Clinical Sciences Building. The tour offered a behind-the-scenes look at ongoing work in dementia, population health, neuroscience and translational research. 

Looking ahead, the NHG Health-LKCMedicine-NTU Academic Health System remains committed to translating research into clinical innovations that make a meaningful difference to patients and communities, both locally and internationally.