Student doctors from the Lee Kong Chian School of Medicine in Singapore are joining frontline healthcare services having completed their studies.

LKCMedicine – a joint medical school between Imperial and Nanyang Technology University (NTU) – held a virtual celebration event as the students finish their studies and join the healthcare frontline in Singapore.

As the COVID-19 pandemic meant they could not have an in-person Convocation ceremony just yet - an online event Celebrating the Class of 2020, was organised for the students to mark the first major milestone in their careers. 

Guest-of-Honour Deputy Prime Minister Mr Heng Swee Keat sent his congratulations and thanked the LKCMedicine Class of 2020 for working tirelessly with others on the frontline, to keep us safe in a critical time of need. 

DPM ended his speech with, "You may have graduated in the wake of a global pandemic, but your future is bright and full of promise.

"I hope you also remember the values of – humility, integrity, compassion, continuous learning, and professionalism – that LKCMedicine has taught you. You must always remember the Physician’s Pledge that you will soon be taking – the values that you will uphold, and your responsibility to your patients.

"Your journey has just begun, and I hope that you continue to learn and grow. In your hands, we entrust the health of our people. Congratulations once again."

Imperial's leaders sent a video compilation of congratulatory messages, led by President Professor Alice Gast.

Professor Gast said: "Never before has the importance of medical professionals been more apparent.

"We are certain that you will have a tremendous impact not only in Singapore, but throughout the world.

"As alumni of NTU and Imperial, you are now and forever part of our Imperial family."

NTU President Professor Subra Suresh also sent his well wishes to the newly-minted doctors via a pre-recording.

In his message, Professor Subra said the Class of 2020 is now part of Singapore's frontliners, who are not only battling diseases but also COVID-19.

He added, "I know it is not easy on you. However, when the going gets tough, ask yourselves these questions: What drew you to pursue medicine? Why did you want to be a doctor? At the end of the day, what kind of doctor do you hope to be? Please don't ever lose sight of why you are here."

LKCMedicine Dean Professor James Best then introduced the Class of 2020 and the Medal and Prize winners.

Valedictorian Dr Ong Kim Yao who was also awarded the Lee Kuan Yew Gold Medal for best overall performance throughout the programme of study.

Dr Ong said: "The relationships are some of my best memories from medical school, and I'm sure they will continue to be some of our biggest takeaways from our medical careers.

"May we continue to extend the same compassion that we have for our patients to each other as we journey through the next few decades together - to dignify rather than reduce, to help instead of judge and to continue to support each other unconditionally.”