From Student to Doctor
By Retna Devi D/O Shanmuga Retnam
LKCMedicine’s convocation, an annual rite of passage, marks this milestone transition for our medical students. Despite the heavy downpour and gloomy sky, this remained true for the Class of 2026 at this year’s ceremony held on 25 July 2026.
While convocation is a celebration of the future that awaits them, it is also a celebration of the dreams, the grit and all the memorable experiences that brought the Class of 2026 to this defining point.
A walk down memory lane
Looking back on his medical school journey, Dr Zachary Vincent considers his six-week stint in Uganda as part of an overseas elective in his final year as one of the more challenging but rewarding experiences at LKCMedicine.
“It was my first time seeing rural medicine and delivering care with limited resources, but I chose Uganda because I knew it would be a unique learning opportunity and I had heard wonderful things about the doctors there. Although it was quite a challenge to adapt to their way of life, the high volume of surgical cases gave me the chance to scrub in and sharpen my clinical reasoning and skills,” he reflected.
(L-R) Drs Lee Xin Tien, Zachary Vincent and Roshini Selvakumar
Similarly, Dr Roshini Selvakumar found the overseas opportunities presented by the School to be invaluable in nurturing her into a doctor who thinks critically and cares with a worldly and compassionate perspective.
“I observed many rare neurological diseases when I did my overseas electives in the United Kingdom. It was truly a privilege to be a part of the diagnostic process and discussions, and to witness the thought process behind these complex diagnoses, ranging from rare diseases like moyamoya to newly diagnosed infiltrating cancers.”
Coupled with her community service work in India through LKCMedicine’s Overseas Community Involvement Project, Project Kolkata, Dr Roshini had the benefit of being exposed to underprivileged communities and vastly different healthcare systems — an eye-opening experience that has inspired a commitment to help people in need.
Dr Jonathan Lim’s time at LKCMedicine was far from conventional. Two weeks before his final-year MBBS examinations, the national fencer was in Thailand competing in the 2025 SEA Games, where he clinched a team gold medal in the men’s foil event and a bronze in the individual category.
While fencing and medicine may appear to be worlds apart, Dr Lim finds them complementary. “Both medicine and fencing require discipline, resilience and a commitment to continuous improvement. During a match, pressure is extremely high and staying calm and focused is pivotal. Medicine, on the other hand, has honed my ability to analyse and break down problems to arrive at diagnoses and management plans. Both experiences have reinforced each other and improved how I approach challenges,” he explained.
Dr Haziq Rohani celebrating with his family and friends
For Dr Haziq Rohani, studying medicine at LKCMedicine has been profoundly transformative.
“Prior to medical school, I believed that being a doctor meant having all the answers. However, my postings during my clinical years and the Student Assistantship Programme in Year 5 made me realise that healthcare is fundamentally a team effort. Every member of the team contributes a unique role that is essential to patient care and no single individual can provide the best outcomes on their own,” he remarked.
To many, like Dr Eugene Chua, LKCMedicine’s close-knit community was a crucial source of comfort that made challenging periods a bit more bearable. Diagnosed with axial spondyloarthritis, a chronic inflammatory arthritis, at the age of 13, Dr Chua grappled with his health issues while managing medical studies.
“I found immense support from the School, my tutors and peers, who helped me to thrive as a student without compromising my health. LKCMedicine has not just made me a doctor, but also a better person, and I would not give it up for anything,” he said.
A celebration to remember
Similar deeply personal and formative memories from the last five years were reflected in the smiles of the graduates at this year’s convocation, all proudly dressed in their blue robes and purple hoods.
Attended by leaders of NTU LKCMedicine, Imperial College London and NHG Health, the ceremony was presided over by LKCMedicine Governing Board’s Chair Ms Chan Lai Fung, with Dr Janil Puthucheary, Senior Minister of State for Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and Ministry of Education, as guest speaker.
Introduced by Professor Joseph Sung, LKCMedicine Dean and NTU Senior Vice-President (Health & Life Sciences), Dr Janil drew on his personal experiences in healthcare to encourage the newly minted doctors to stay curious throughout their career.
“To this day, when I attend teaching rounds in the hospital, I continue to learn and discover things that I do not know. So, I have to read up and educate myself. Lifelong learning is ultimately most successful and effective when it is a value that we have internalised… I encourage you to start on that journey of understanding the value of being a self-driven lifelong learner.”
He added, “It is not an aspiration, it is a professional responsibility. We have to continue to update our skills to provide the best possible care to our patients.”
The much-anticipated MBBS degree presentation began with graduates being specially recognised for their stellar academic achievements, including Dr Loh Pei Yi, who received the NTU President’s Prize for Community Service. Introduced this year, the Prize is awarded to NTU students whose sustained contributions have created a meaningful impact in communities beyond NTU.
Ms Chan Lai Fung, LKCMedicine’s Governing Board Chair presenting the awards to Dr Loh Pei Yi
Having received several other awards, including the prestigious Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal and Anthony SC Teo - Gordon Johnson Gold Medal, to name a few, Dr Loh views these accolades as a reaffirmation of her choice to study at LKCMedicine.
“I started medical school with a lot of uncertainty about myself and questions about the profession. I am grateful that LKCMedicine took a chance on me and fostered a supportive environment where I could discover myself with no fear and realise my calling to use this profession to serve vulnerable populations and contribute to a variety of fields,” shared Dr Loh.
As the names of all 169 graduates were recited, the auditorium was filled with applause and cheers from family, friends as well as LKCMedicine faculty and staff present, each having played an instrumental role in our graduates’ journey.
Valedictorian Dr Colin Goh brought the ceremony to a close with a poignant speech, where he reflected on many shared memories with his peers.
“I bring up these memories because they made medical school special to me and more than just a degree. Given the chance, I would do it all over again because of the people we met along the way. My message today is simple: I hope we remember the people seated with us today. These are the people who understand what the last five years demanded of us,” elaborated Dr Goh.
Congratulations to the awardees of LKCMedicine Convocation and School Awards/Prizes 2026
| Award/Prize | Name of Graduating Student |
|---|---|
| Valedictorian | Goh Ming Hui, Colin |
| Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award | Gan Wan Nee (Yan Wanni) |
| Koh Boon Hwee Scholars Award | Goh Ming Hui, Colin |
| Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal | Loh Pei Yi |
| Toh Kian Chui Gold Medal | Zachary Allen Vincent |
| Wang Lee Wah Gold Medal | Loh Pei Yi |
| Anthony SC Teo - Gordon Johnson Gold Medal (Award 1) | Kvan Yam Jie Ming |
| Anthony SC Teo - Gordon Johnson Gold Medal (Award 2) | Loh Pei Yi |
| Ong Hok Tien Gold Medal | Ashley Foo Li-Ann |
| Chew Chin Hin Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Clinical Medicine | Lim Hui Yi, Caren Karim |
| Low Cheng Hock Gold Medal for Outstanding Achievement in Surgery | Loh Pei Yi |
| Chee Yam Cheng Gold Medal in Professionalism, Ethics, Law, Leadership and Safety (PELLS) | Goh Yun Yao |
Now, officially doctors and LKCMedicine alumni, the Class of 2026 wore their new identities with great pride as they exited the auditorium, grateful for the memories and eager to make a difference.
Well done, Class of 2026!
