I’m grateful to the University for not only in
giving me an invaluable education but also
equipping me with the wherewithal to serve our
people and nation. It has been a great privilege
and honour to be able to work with NUS all these
years since graduation to train, and educate,
successive generations of graduates of
the University.
”
Prof TAN Ser Kiat
FRCS Ad Hominem (Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh);
FAMS (Academy of Medicine, Singapore);
FRCS
(Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow);
MBBS (University of Singapore)
Clinical Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine
Emeritus Consultant, Singapore General Hospital
President, Singapore Medical Council
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- Prof Tan is a highly regarded, compassionate and popular orthopaedic surgeon. Hallmarks of his
12-year tenure as Group CEO of SingHealth, Singapore’s largest public healthcare group, include
enhancing patient care and staff development, and improving medical education. He has also
contributed tremendously to Singapore General Hospital, and was instrumental in setting up its
Department of Experimental Surgery.
- Prof Tan guided the healthcare group through the Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome outbreak in
Singapore in 2003 with courage and unwavering determination.
- A prominent thought leader, he has spoken at some 100 invited presentations and lectures, and
his original scientific thinking has culminated in more than 30 peer-reviewed publications.
- Prof Tan has dedicated 10 years of staunch guidance and support as a Duke-NUS Governing
Board Member from 2005 to 2016, and was a key pioneering force in establishing Duke-NUS
Medical School. He actively identified suitable faculty from SingHealth’s clinicians for the school in
its early days.
- As chair of Development Committee at Duke-NUS and in recent years a member of the
committee, he connected and engaged with key donors to secure support for research and student scholarships in the school’s infancy.
- A veteran of more than 40 years in public healthcare, Prof Tan has served in numerous national-level
committees that helped to shape the clinical care delivery framework and healthcare system
in Singapore. He demonstrates an uncompromising stance in terms of patient welfare, where the
first consideration of patients’ interest in clinical decision making, is emphasised.
-
Prof Tan’s influence extends well beyond Singapore and he currently serves as an Honorary Fellow
of various Colleges, including American College of Physicians; College of Surgeons, College of
Medicine of South Africa; Philippine College of Surgeons; Philippine Orthopaedic Association; and
Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
- Meritorious Service Medal, Singapore (2012)
- May Day Medal of Commendation (Gold), National Trades Union Congress, Singapore (2010)
- Public Service Medal, Singapore (2006)
- May Day Medal of Commendation, National Trades Union Congress, Singapore (2004)
- Public Administration Medal (Gold), Singapore (1999)
- Public Administration Medal (Silver), Singapore (1986)
" I look forward to continue working with NUS to make it an even better institute of higher
learning. I've no doubt that it will succeed in realising its vision of being 'a leading global
university centred in Asia'. "