Back
Monday, 25 Mar, 2024
Duke-NUS and DNMA celebrate Professor Ivy Ng
Professor Ivy Ng, Duke-NUS’ Governing Board member and former SingHealth Group CEO, was conferred honorary membership by the Duke-NUS Medical Alumni (DNMA) association for her pivotal role in forging the academic medicine partnership between Duke-NUS and SingHealth at an appreciation reception on 22 March 2024.
Held at the Duke-NUS atrium, the event was graced by distinguished guests including National University of Singapore (NUS) President Professor Tan Eng Chye, NUS Provost and Deputy Chairman of the Duke-NUS Governing Board Professor Aaron Thean and founding Chairman of the Duke-NUS Governing Board Mr Tony Chew. They were joined by senior leaders from across the School and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre (AMC) as well as members of the Duke-NUS community to celebrate Prof Ng's inspiring leadership.
“It’s a special night for a very special person…Professor Ivy Ng,” said Duke-NUS Dean Professor Thomas Coffman, as he kicked off the celebratory event. “We really wanted to have a special event where we could recognise Ivy’s many contributions to Duke-NUS over the years…and I think it’s important and apt that this is driven by our alumni.”
Dean Coffman also spoke about Prof Ng’s unwavering dedication to medical education in his welcome remarks.
Celebrating Professor Ivy Ng’s inspiring leadership (L-R): Duke-NUS Dean Professor Thomas Coffman; NUS Provost and Deputy Chairman of the Duke-NUS Governing Board, Prof Aaron Thean; Duke-NUS alumnus Dr Anu Pandey; Duke-NUS Governing Board member Prof Ivy Ng; Mrs Melanie Chew; founding chairman of the Duke-NUS Governing Board, Mr Tony Chew; NUS President Professor Tan Eng Chye; and Professor Lee Chian Earn, SingHealth Deputy GCEO (Regional Health Systems)
Besides her contributions as the School’s Governing Board member, Prof Ng was a strong driving force of the SingHealth Duke-NUS academic medicine partnership, ensuring that the AMC provided an environment “of high-level academic excellence, innovation, and curiosity” for alumni and existing students, stressed Dean Coffman.
Following Dean Coffman’s speech, Prof Ng was invited on stage where she was presented with a painting by alumnus Dr Shashendra Aponso (Class of 2015) titled “The forest is gold”, as well as a token of appreciation from Duke-NUS Governing Board Chairman Mr Goh Yew Lin.
Dean Coffman delivers his welcome remarks
Elaborating on the inspiration behind the title of his painting, Dr Aponso likened it to “Prof Ng’s golden touch” in transforming the School and the AMC into “a place we are so proud to call our home”.
The audience next heard from DNMA President Dr Anu Pandey (Class of 2015) who spoke about the honorary membership, which was introduced “to recognise members of our community who have demonstrated visionary leadership, stellar commitment, and extraordinary contributions to Duke-NUS and the AMC family”.
“You are a true champion and you will leave an indelible mark for generations to come. Your clinician-plus journey and leadership will be an enduring well of inspiration for all associated with Duke-NUS and the SingHealth AMC,” said Dr Pandey before inviting Prof Ng back on stage to receive the honorary membership.
Dean Coffman (left) presents Prof Ng (centre) with a token of appreciation from Duke-NUS Governing Board Chairman Mr Goh Yew Lin. They are joined by Dr Shashendra Aponso on stage (right) with his painting to Prof Ng titled “The forest is gold”.
Prof Ng (centre) and Dean Coffman (left) with Dr Pandey (right) on stage as she is presented with the DNMA honorary membership
Expressing her gratitude to the audience, Prof Ng said: “Every success we have is because of all of you.”
As she reflected on the AMC’s journey, Prof Ng also acknowledged the contributions of key stakeholders who were instrumental in making the academic medicine partnership a reality despite the uncertainties during its early days. “We continued to believe that the School and this partnership would be totally transformative to medicine, to bringing excellence we’ve never seen before, because of a partnership of our different skills and expertise,” recounted Prof Ng.
Pointing out the valuable lessons that could be gleaned from this chapter in the School's history, she emphasised: “It’s important to remember that…the impossible can be possible, so don’t lose yourself in barriers and the difficulties and the challenges as you journey to the next level.”
Prof Ng reflects on the AMC’s journey in her speech
Just before rounding up her speech, Prof Ng shared the secret sauce for a brighter future: compassion for not just patients, but juniors, seniors and the self; creativity to invent new ways of doing things; and courage to tackle the gaps ahead. “These are critical as we push into the future,” she concluded.
As dinner got underway, the impact Prof Ng had on the School’s alumni, students and faculty was palpable. From musical tributes to a flurry of requests for group photos, it was evident that Prof Ng was well-loved and respected among many whom paths she had crossed.
Referring to Prof Ng as the most valuable player for the AMC, Dean Coffman concluded: “One of her real gifts is to really elevate the aspirations and the accomplishments of the people around them.”
Upon her conferment, Prof Ng joins Mr Chew and Duke-NUS former Dean Ranga Krishnan as DNMA’s third honorary member.