The long waited SingHealth Career Series for Junior Doctors 2006 opened its curtain on 30 May 2006 at the Post Graduate Medical Institute.  It was well attended by audience comprising of medical students, house officers and medical officers.  Dr Ooi Choon Jin, Director Medical Manpower, gave a short opening address for the kick off session "Specializations in Clinical Medicine, Administration or Research".

The audience was awed by Prof Soo Khee Chee in his OT suit.  Prof Soo provided insight into SingHealth's vision to be an academic medical centre and biomedical hub of Asia.  The audience had a glimpse of where SingHealth is heading to in the future.  Prof Soo shared his personal reasons for becoming a professional doctor and for staying on in the public sector.  Prof Soo reiterated that to him, social contract - repaying his mentors through serving the public patients, is the reason.  

Dr Daphne Khoo gave a light-hearted overview of medical administration.  Dr Khoo pointed out the various portfolios for medical administration where doctors can contribute and lead with their ideas.   Medical administration plays a critical role in supporting and realizing the SingHealth vision.

Audience was well fed with sharings by Prof Malcolm Paterson on our research vision, scientific accomplishments, research prospects and career tracks in research.  Prof Paterson was proud to announce a few of our achievements - the first to offer Clinician Scientist Scheme in 2002 and we had obtained 49 percent of national competitive funding in FY2005.   More information on research resources and updates are made available on SingHealth's research internet and intranet.  Prof Paterson made it no secret that a good research scientist fails in order to succeed in research, thus he must possess commitment and tremendous perseverance! 

The evening session ended with enthusiastic audience clarifying their thoughts and doubts with our iconic speakers in the question and answer session.