Banking on passion

Despite a burgeoning career in a bank with promises of a new leadership role, Lim Chun Chai, 39, decided to pursue his dream of becoming a doctor. He obtained an undergraduate degree in engineering, followed by a Masters’ degree in finance. This landed him a job in a local bank, where he progressed from the role of management associate to vice-president. It was then that he decided to leave the corporate world to study medicine. In terms of age, Lim is the most mature student to matriculate in Duke-NUS, but his enthusiasm is apparent.  “It was a decision that I have been pondering over for years. I decided to make the leap as I wanted to do something for the greater good of the community. I am really fortunate to have my family’s - especially my wife’s - support in this whole journey,” he said.

Healing Force 

As a child, Eric Tay, 29, was regularly taken to Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) physicians when he was suffering from minor ailments. These were some of his first encounters with the world of medicine, which sparked his interest in TCM. Eventually, he obtained a degree in TCM and began working in a charity clinic.

It was here that he decided to alter his career path. “At the TCM clinic, I interacted with patients and worked on ways to improve their conditions. Along the way, I felt that I wanted to do much more, and decided that furthering my studies in medicine was the best way forward.” Tay is raring to harness his perspectives on eastern medicine in medical school.

Mission to Serve

Sivanesh Sivarajan’s career has taken him places. After graduating with a degree in commerce, he accepted a job as a civil servant with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where he worked in several countries and did policy work. This, the 29-year-old said, was an enriching experience. Yet, he felt there was more that he wanted to achieve.

“When I was younger, becoming a doctor was not on my mind. I was focused on making money and climbing up the corporate ladder. As I grew older, I began to gain confidence in my ability and rigour, which could help me to treat patients,” he said. It is with this sentiment that Sivanesh has entered medical school with the goal of serving the community in a meaningful way.

Headlines to Healthcare

Former investigative journalist Hoe Pei Shan has, for a long time, been interested in medicine. Back when she was a national gymnast, she felt that she could contribute towards enhancing the practice of sports medicine. As a reporter, the literature graduate has been to disaster-hit places and also worked with Red Cross to report on international aid missions. This spurred her on to become a volunteer. “My first-hand experiences showed me that many more healthcare professionals were needed to make a bigger impact. I believe that I can make a difference by studying medicine,” shared the 31-year-old.