AMA VICDOC Summer 2024 - Magazine - Page 21
L I N CO L N
-
I DID NOT PLAN A CAREER IN MEDICINE. I
OBTAINED A UNIVERSITY POSITION IN AEROSPACE
ENGINEERING FOR MY LOVE OF PHYSICS.
-
My life path changed after embarking on
a medical mission trip to Nepal and North
India before my mandatory military service
in Singapore. I saw the great disparity in
the access to health services between the
rich and poor. It was at this point that I
chose to embark on my path to pursue
medicine as I wanted to help care and treat
people with my own knowledge and skills.
I am thankful that I can marry my love
for physics and medicine in radiology.
MEDICINE IS A LIFE OF SERVING OTHERS
AND HELPING PEOPLE IN NEED, ESPECIALLY
WHEN THEY’RE MOST VULNERABLE.
-
Many doctors or healthcare practitioners
have sacrificed a lot of their youth for the
greater cause. A life in medicine can be
challenging due to our constant pursuit of
knowledge, exams and, at times, high stake
decisions that can make a lasting impact
for the remainder of an individual’s life.
Through these challenges, I have always
felt that I am blessed and privileged to be
able to help others.
HAVING GOOD MENTORS IS IMPORTANT.
-
Through my career, I have had many great
mentors who have shaped me as a medical
professional. At this stage of my career,
I am hoping to provide the same level
of support I received and help guide the
next generation of doctors. As the founder
and current executive committee member
of my public health service’s radiology
research committee, I provide guidance
and a centralised spot for junior doctors
to begin their careers in academia. It was
through this I had the pleasure of working
with Zoe. Zoe is not afraid to take up
a challenge and follows through with
whatever she is trying to pursue.
This includes working towards her private
pilot’s license! I have a lot of respect for her.
I THINK ONE FACET OF HEALTHCARE IN
AUSTRALIA THAT COULD BE IMPROVED IS
SUSTAINABILITY — WE NEED TO REDUCE
OUR CARBON FOOTPRINT.
-
Our reliance on single-use medical
equipment quickly compounds to
significant wastage that impacts the
sustainability of our industry. In addition,
a technologically advanced specialty like
radiology relies heavily on sophisticated
machinery which inadvertently results
in high energy consumption and carbon
footprint. I believe that in our roles
as healthcare professionals, we should
be cognisant and mindful of our roles
pertaining to sustainability in healthcare.
Much more can be done in terms of
research and initiatives to help reduce
our carbon footprint in medicine.
ONE FACET OF MY RESEARCH INTERESTS LIES
IN THE FIELD OF ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE.
-
I am excited to be part of the National Lung
Screening Working Group through the
Royal Australian and New Zealand College
of Radiologists and the Australian and New
Zealand Society of Thoracic Radiology’s
AI and VNA [Vendor Neutral Archive]
subdivision committee. We are collaborating
with the Cancer Council and Australian
Government to establish the world’s first
National Lung Screening Programme to
help increase cancer detection, encourage
early intervention and reduce morbidity
through opportunistic screening.
VI CD O C SU M M ER 2024
21
