LKCMedicine Celebrates 7th Cohort of Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine
On 14 November 2025, LKCMedicine graduated its seventh cohort of 19 students in the Graduate Diploma in Sports Medicine (GDSM) programme, marking another milestone in Singapore’s sports medicine landscape. During the graduation ceremony held at the Novena Campus, faculty leaders and partners praised the graduates’ commitment to excellence, noting their remarkable dedication in balancing family, full-time clinical practice, and the rigours of postgraduate training.
GDSM Programme Director Dr Fabian Lim welcomed guests on behalf of LKCMedicine and expressed appreciation for the strong partnership with the Sports Medicine community and the faculty’s dedication that has made the programme successful. In encouraging graduates to embrace lifelong learning, Dr Lim said: “Graduating from the GDSM programme is the beginning of a lifetime of learning and engagement in Sports Medicine, and I am confident that the skills, knowledge, and enthusiasm embodied by this graduating class will drive innovations in health, fitness, and physical performance. I urge you to carry forward the principles of lifelong learning, empathy, and creativity as you embark on your professional paths.”
LKCMedicine Vice-Dean (Education) Assoc Prof Faith Chia praised the programme's strong academic and practical training and expressed confidence in the graduates' ability to impact healthcare positively. She commended their dedication in balancing studies and work, acknowledged the faculty and partners' contributions, and thanked families for their support.
“The partnership between LKCMedicine and Changi General Hospital (CGH), and with all the supporting hospitals and institutions has allowed us to create a programme that is not only academically rigorous but also highly practical and relevant to the challenges of modern healthcare. I am confident that the training you have received here has prepared you to make a meaningful impact in your respective practices and beyond,” said A/P Chia as she addressed the graduates.
SingHealth’s Group Chief Education Officer, Clinical Associate Professor Tan Choon Kiat Nigel was Guest-of-Honour at the ceremony, presenting the certificates to the graduates. He noted that the impact of the GDSM programme goes beyond individual patients to the wider Sports Medicine and Sporting communities and the healthcare system.
“Currently, there are about 40 Sports Medicine Specialists in Singapore and this pool of doctors are frequently overstretched, between running clinics, covering of major events like the F1 race and in supporting Team Singapore athletes in international competitions. Against this backdrop, the GDSM programme has produced around 150 alumni over the last seven years, which forms a critical pool resource to meet the increasing demands for Sports Medicine services in Singapore, especially when there are major games, such as the SEA and Asian Games,” said Assoc Prof Tan.
Dr Sylvia Tiong, a Family Physician with Healthway Medical, received the Top of Class award. In her Valedictorian speech, she stressed that importance of teamwork. She said: “Throughout this programme, we have come to understand that sports medicine is not practiced in isolation. It thrives on teamwork. It exists at the intersection of multiple disciplines: physiotherapists, exercise physiologists, dietitians, general practitioners, sports physicians, orthopaedic surgeons, nurses, coaches, and more. We have learned that better outcomes do not come from working alone, but from working together united in our goal to improve quality of life through movement and care.”
The eight-year partnership between LKCMedicine and CGH’s Department of Sport & Exercise Medicine underpins the sustained success of the programme. Faculty collaboration and institutional support from organisations including Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Tan Tock Seng Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Sport Singapore, and the Singapore Armed Forces have played key roles in developing the GDSM into a leading academic initiative. More than 30 dedicated faculty contribute to the curriculum and student experience, with consistently positive feedback from each cohort.
L-R: Dr Zulkarnain Bin Ab Hamid, Dr Jyoti Singh and Dr Lau Puang Huh Bernard
“My children are involved in competitive sports, including taekwondo and silat. I am usually a volunteer parent at my kids’ silat competitions, where I would help to oversee injuries, helping the injured with initial stabilisation before referring them to the hospitals. That was where my interest in pursuing the GDSM started. It is not just about treating elite athletes but also children involved in sports. Through this programme, I have gained valuable knowledge and skills to better support young athletes, ensuring they receive appropriate care and injury prevention advice.”
Dr Zulkarnain Bin Ab Hamid, 47
Senior Consultant
Emergency Department, National University Hospital
Urgent Care Centre, Alexandra Hospital
“The course was programmed very well. Each module was followed by a workshop where we could clarify our doubts, and there was a very good balance of theoretical knowledge and hands-on experience. It is going to help me in my day-to-day family physician practice, with more awareness on managing sports injuries, gym-related injuries, and musculoskeletal problems.”
Dr Jyoti Singh, 44
General Practitioner, Shenton Medical Group
“I pursued this course to deepen knowledge on how to manage orthopaedic and sport injuries non-operatively. The e-learning component was very helpful allowing us to learn at our own pace, after which we came together to consolidate our learning. The hybrid learning model provided the flexibility to balance our professional commitments while gaining practical skills through interactive sessions and hands-on workshops, enhancing both our understanding and application.”
Dr Lau Puang Huh Bernard, 45
Orthopaedic Surgeon (private practice)