From Aspiration to Insight: Inside MedCamp 2026
MedCamp 2026 brought some 140 pre-university students from 26 schools to LKCMedicine for hands-on learning, research exposure and medical career insights.
Text by Retna Devi
MedCamp returned for its third edition, giving students a glimpse into the LKCMedicine curriculum and inspiring them to pursue educational pathways in the medical and healthcare sectors.
Held over two days, with the support of LKCMedicine staff, faculty, researchers and students as well as enthusiastic volunteers from Raffles Girls’ School and Hwa Chong Institution, the excitement surrounding this highly anticipated event was palpable from the very second the campers streamed through LKCMedicine’s Novena campus; the gateway to new friendships and renewed fervour to pursue their goal of becoming doctors and serving people.
MedCamp 2026 was packed with a line-up of immersive lab and learning experiences and interactive engagement sessions that kept the young minds engaged. It was a hit among the participants because it revealed three important aspects of being a medical student at LKCMedicine.
The people of LKCMedicine
The campers had the valuable opportunity of hearing from individuals who represent different facets of the LKCMedicine community: students, alumni, and senior leadership, including the Dean.
After a round of icebreakers, the first day of MedCamp was kicked off with welcome addresses by Associate Professor Faith Chia, Vice-Dean (Education), and Dylan Pang, LKCMedicine Students’ Medical Society’s Honorary Treasurer.
Dylan Pang, a second-year LKCMedicine student
Associate Professor Faith Chia, LKCMedicine’ s Vice-Dean (Education)
Assoc Prof Chia detailed unique highlights of NTU’s MBBS curriculum to help our students keep abreast of the ever-changing healthcare system, such as the recent introduction of compulsory surgical dissection in Years 3 and 4, the School’s growing emphasis on research and scientific enquiry, and the integration of Digital Health and AI in the curriculum.
MedCamp was not solely about passively listening to the speakers.
Much to the campers’ delight, they were able to ask their burning questions about navigating the gruelling hours, the steps to become a resident, admission processes and plenty more at the three Ask Me Anything sessions that took place over the two days.
Vice-Dean (Clinical Affairs) Professor Kwek Tong Kiat, moderating a discussion with alumni from the pioneer cohort, Drs Jean Chiew and Stewart Retnam
During the session with LKCMedicine alumni which was hosted by Vice-Dean (Clinical Affairs) Professor Kwek Tong Kiat, Drs Jean Chiew and Stewart Retnam from the Class of 2018 offered candid advice about planning their medical journey.
“Instead of projecting so far ahead and figuring out what you would like to specialise in, the most important thing to do now is to ground yourself in the basics of medicine and cultivate a strong attitude of wanting to work hard and grow,” said Dr Chiew, Registrar, Hand & Reconstructive Microsurgery.
Vice-Dean (Education) Associate Professor Faith Chia with Senior Consultant Dr Melissa Tien at the first Ask Me Anything segment
The session with Dr Melissa Tien, a senior consultant with the National Healthcare Group Eye Institute @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital, offered similar incisive insights. When asked how AI is affecting the profession, Dr Tien shared, “I do not think AI will replace certain parts of medicine. I think we need to learn how to use and regulate it ethically. You still need the human touch in this field, and AI will not be able to replace that.”
A highlight of this year’s MedCamp was the segment with Professor Joseph Sung, LKCMedicine Dean and NTU Senior Vice President (Health & Life Sciences). The campers listened with rapt attention as he recollected significant moments from his storied career.
Dean Professor Joseph Sung and Ms Christine Teh, Deputy Director of Communications & Outreach, sharing a light-hearted moment with a camper
Yet, medicine is not about accolades or prestige. Prof Sung was quick to remind the students that medicine is about helping people when they most need it
“You may not be able to cure the patient’s condition, but you can take care of them. In my 40 years as a doctor, I may not have cured patients with life-threatening conditions, but I was able to walk with them in the last part of their journey and help them maintain their dignity and comfort.”
Being privy to the insights of doctors at different stages of their careers provided the campers with a clearer understanding of what it means to be an LKCMedicine-trained doctor and the difference they can make.
The possibilities around medicine
For many, MedCamp revealed a whole new side to medical education.
“I thought medical school was all about studying and always looking at textbooks,” quipped Justin Siak. The Singapore Sports School student added, “I now realise that it can be interactive and even enjoyable compared to traditional learning methods.”
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Trying out VR headset for anatomy learning
A taste of LKCMedicine’s signature Team-Based Learning
Developing clinical communications skills with a chatbot
As the campers participated in a range of MedQuests, they found themselves immersed in LKCMedicine’s pioneering and progressive teaching methods, such as visualising anatomy using 3D models as well as augmented and virtual reality; testing their clinical procedures skills under pressure; practising clinical conversations with an AI-powered chatbot; and participating in a Team-Based Learning demonstration to appreciate active and collaborative learning with faculty and their peers.
The eye-opening experience extended beyond the School’s pedagogy to the different ways medical knowledge can be utilised to benefit society.
“I always thought medicine was about working in hospitals and did not realise that scientists have a part to play too. It was very interesting to see researchers thinking outside the box and even looking at bats to solve human problems,” mentioned Auni Almira Shah from Millenia Institute. The 17-year-old was part of a group of students who visited Assistant Professor Ahn Matae’s lab.
Students’ first-ever exposure to bat cells
Dubbed the ‘bat lab’, students had the novel opportunity of examining bat cells and understanding their significance in achieving healthy longevity.
Pipetting exercises to learn about cognitive biomarkers
Over at the Dementia Research Centre (Singapore), campers gained firsthand insight into how cognitive assessments, gamified tools and biomarkers contribute to dementia research at the frontlines. While other campers heard from researchers from the Health for Life in Singapore (HELIOS) study and Primary Care and Family Medicine programme, respectively, about the need for population- and community-based approaches to support health promotion and well-being as well as the central role of patients and primary care in improving outcomes and supporting informed, person-centred choices.
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An overview of population health studies by Associate Professor Jimmy Lee
Associate Professor Jo-Anne Manski-Nankervis detailing primary care’s role in preventive health
The place that is more than just a school
Campers were given a map and tasked to explore the campus during the MedChallenge segment.
The groups scurried around the Clinical Sciences Building and Headquarters Building, discovering the origins of the School and its namesake, the different House Rooms where LKCMedicine students spend their time in, and even the bus that shuttles students between NTU and Novena campuses.
A must-visit for all visitors, the campers also spent some time at the Sim Hoay Cheok – Sim Foundation Library where they were greeted with panoramic views of Singapore’s cityscape.
Mr Rindra Ramli, Head of the medical library, quizzing campers
Beyond being home to collections of medical journals, books and great views, the library empowers medical students with AI tools like Riley, the Information Literacy in Evidence-Based Medicine chatbot, with librarians guiding students to frame precise research questions and pursue innovative research.
And… when it all comes together
MedCamp 2026 came to an end with the 12 teams brainstorming creative ways to showcase all that they learned over the two days in a bid to win the highly anticipated first prize – a one-week hospital placement with NHG Health.
From acting skits to performing raps, the campers brought their A-game and filled the auditorium with laughter and applause.
Associate Professor See Jee Jian, Vice-Dean (Admissions and Overseas Electives) took the stage to give a short closing address. Expressing his hopes that LKCMedicine will be the school of choice for MedCamp participants, he provided an overview of the School’s admissions process and reminded participants of the values that create the “heartbeat of healthcare”.
This year’s iteration was another exciting addition to the MedCamp series, with the campers taking a step closer to deciding their future and creating lasting memories with new friends.
“When we first met, [my teammates] were initially shy but we got to joking with each other. I liked that we wanted to find out more about each other’s different school backgrounds. That curiosity made our team dynamic interesting too,” remarked Katrina Ayuni, a nursing student from Nanyang Polytechnic.
“MedCamp has been fun. The whole experience has been amazing as we don’t get this in school. It was a very valuable time spent at LKCMedicine,” said Warren Toh from Raffles Institution.
We look forward to welcoming the next batch of campers to LKCMedicine!
Watch the event highlights here.
Check out the exciting highlights of MedCamp 2026 here.
