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S R E Sayampanathan
Master (2016-2018)
Academy of Medicine, Singapore
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20 June 2016
Transition of leadership can be smooth or tumultuous. It is praiseworthy that the recent handover of the position of Master was so seamless and slick that there were just smiles, no baited breath or heavy hearts. Indeed, all the credit goes to the Immediate Past Master, Dr Lim Shih Hui.
During his term as Master (2012 to 2016), he built on the hard work of predecessors. He encouraged and cultivated cooperation and collaboration within the Council, Colleges and Chapters. He harnessed the positive and constructive strengths of various personalities and channeled it to high level productivity of the Academy. He also gave experience of various portfolios to people like me, so that we appreciated the multi-faceted impact of Academy's actions on the healthcare scene in Singapore.
With a strong Council in the AMS, well represented by the specialist doctors from all sectors of the Singapore community, changing the Master did not lead to a change in policy or direction of the Academy. Previously, there had been a false notion/fear that an election may result in a new Council with unexpected different purpose, and this led to some undeserved distrust of the Academy. With more than half of the Council unchanged at any one time, and with appointed Councillors (in the form of duly and democratically elected Presidents/Chairmen by respective Colleges/Chapters), there is a very stable situation with continuity of leadership. Also, we have a mature electorate of responsible specialists. More importantly, as will be elaborated later in this Message, we have created institutions like the Deanery, the Office of Professional Affairs and Standing Committees which ensure continuity of policy, direction and action in most areas.
We have elected new members from time to time, to inject new blood and new ideas into the Academy at various levels (Academy, Colleges and Chapters). Capable, tested and trusted people who have completed terms of office from our ranks will be enlisted to do posts of longer tenure. As an example, there are many Past Masters, eg. Dr Chew Chin Hin, Dr Chee Yam Cheng, Dr Ho Lai Yun, Dr Fock Kwong Ming, Dr Tan Kok Chai, etc. who have diligently served in certain committees on a voluntary basis even after stepping down. Similarly, another example is Dr Benjamin Ng Boon Lui who has just stepped down as President of the College of Public Health and Occupational Physicians, and he will be helming the Office of Professional Affairs for the next 5 years.
As testimony of the smooth and seamless transition from one Council to the next, the line-up of the new Council is largely unchanged, and even though may have retained previous posts, their tasks have been expanded. As an example, although Dr Teo Eng Kiong will be Assistant Master (Academic Affairs), he will be contributing a lot to the Deanery and its formation.
We would like to thank two Council members who retired at the AGM on 11 June 2016. They are Dr Thirumoorthy and Dr Ong Hock Soo. They have served the AMS Council particularly well over the years.
There are two new elected Councillors: Dr Yeo Jin Fei and Dr V Anantharaman. They are experienced and extremely capable. The new Council line-up is as follows:
ELECTED COUNCIL
Dr S R E Sayampanathan |
Master |
Dr Teo Eng Kiong |
Assistant Master – Academic Affairs |
Dr Khoo Kei Siong |
Assistant Master – Administrative Affairs |
Dr Chan Yew Weng |
Scribe |
Dr Lai Fon Min |
Bursar |
Dr David Lye |
Assistant Bursar |
Dr Yeo Jin Fei |
Censor-in-Chief |
Dr Lim Lay Cheng |
Censor |
Dr Alan Ng |
Censor |
Dr Venkataraman Anantharaman |
Censor |
Dr Wong Chiang Yin |
Censor |
Dr Wong Tien Yin |
Censor |
APPOINTED COUNCIL
Dr Ti Lian Kah |
President, College of Anaesthesiologists, Singapore |
Dr Bryce Lee |
President, College of Dental Surgeons, Singapore |
Dr Arijit Biswas |
President, College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Singapore |
Dr Marion Aw |
President, College of Paediatrics and Child Health, Singapore |
Dr Chan Choong Meng |
President, College of Physicians, Singapore |
Dr Chua Eu Tiong |
President, College of Radiologists, Singapore |
Dr Ho Kok Sun |
President, College of Surgeons, Singapore |
Dr Goh Siang Hiong |
President, College of Emergency Physicians |
Dr Wong Tien Yin |
President, College of Ophthalmologists |
Dr Ng Beng Yeong |
President, College of Psychiatrists |
Dr Vernon Lee |
President, College of Public Health & Occupational Physicians |
Dr Pierce Chow |
President, College of of Clinician Scientists |
Dr Inny Busmanis |
Chair, Chapter of Pathologists |
Dr Lim Tiek Whai |
Chair, Chapter of Intensivists |
Dr Tan Boon Yeow |
Chair, Chapter of Family Medicine Physicians |
Dr Erle Lim |
Chair, Chapter of Clinician Educators |
EX-OFFICIO
Dr Lim Shih Hui |
Immediate Past Master |
Dr Tan Eng King |
Editor, Annals |
Also as testimony to the smooth and seamless transition of leadership, the organisation structure we will adopt is something which has been discussed and decided over time. It was drawn up by Immediate Past Master, Dr Lim Shih Hui, and fine tuned after detailed discussion with the AMS Council.
The new structure reflects the two main trusts of AMS i.e. education and professional affairs. By grouping most of our Committees under the Deanery and the Office of Professional Affairs (OPA), this would help to stream-line all related matters. In addition, the leaders of these offices would hold office for 5 years, to ensure good planning and continuity of direction.
As the plans of the Council evolve, I will share more information with everyone. We look forward to working together.
Best Wishes
Dr S R E Sayampanathan
Master
Email: master@ams.edu.sg
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