If you didn’t already know, I am into Emergency Medicine. My ultimate plan is to pursue a postgraduate degree in Emergency Medicine. [vide infra]
* Back in January 2007, armed with lots of determination and enthusiasm, I traveled down south to our neighboring Singapore to attend an interview for a post at the Department of Emergency Medicine, National University Hospital (NUH).
There at NUH, I sat and passed a written test designed to gauge the competency of a non-Singaporean doctor planning to work in the respectable Emergency Department of NUH. My interviewer was none other than Shirley Ooi, FRCS(A&E) who was at that time and still is the Head of Department of ED NUH.
We spoke at length about working and living in Singapore. She was keen to take me in. I, on the other hand, was looking for a good learning and working opportunity. ED NUH is rooted strongly in the tradition of sound training and teaching. I was therefore, drawn naturally to the reputable institution.
Today I have made a giant step towards achieving that goal.
Yes, yours truly have passed the formidable Part 1 MRCP(UK)/MRCS(A&E)Ed examination. Even though it is not a requirement per se to work in the island state, I took the exam out of sheer fortitude to prove my worth, an intimation conceived from the belief that Singaporeans will only tolerate the best. Just the same, the primary examination is a tangible evidence of my cache of clinical knowledge, the acquisition of which will aid me in my practice.
Five months of grueling preparation has finally bored its fruit. I am happy to say that my hardwork and perseverance did not go in vain.
It makes the road to Singapore that much easier. I can’t wait to work along side the likes of Shirley Ooi, Peter Manning, Malcolm Mahadevan, Seet Chong Meng etc… the great figures of Emergency Medicine in the region.
Not to externalize my vanity, but another brain drain is imminent.