Valedictorian Speech 2009
Pro-pro-Chancellor of the National University of Ireland,
Fellow graduates, families and friends, honoured guests,
It is a tremendous privilege and honour to stand here, on behalf of the class of 2009,
to say a few words this wonderful evening. I’m most thankful that all of you here are
able to share these precious moments with us as we conclude our journey in medical
school. It is strange how quickly 5 or 6 years have passed and this, perhaps, is the
last time the class of 2009 will be sitting together in the same room.
Going back to October 2004, I arrived in Dublin with 60 other RCSI classmates. We
started our very first day in the O’Flanagan lecture theatre in York Street learning
many new anatomical terms. If I had to pick a favourite word from all the new
medical terms we’ve learnt over these years – it would have to be the
gubernaculum. I remember walking into the dissection hall on the very first day and
it was an experience like no other. Recall the sight and odour of cadavers and of
course, the legendary surgeon prosectors, especially Mr. Sean Hanson who was ever
ready to slap us with a femur. It’s hard to forget the stress of the fortnightly
cardsignings, the enjoyable social events and wonderful people we’ve met during
our time in Dublin.
Coming back to Penang in 2007 was an exciting yet difficult time for many of us as it
meant leaving behind friends and familiar faces in Dublin, enduring a climate change
of epic proportions, learning to survive the Penang traffic, assaulting our coronary
arteries with local Malaysian food and the amalgamation of two classes from RCSI
and UCD to finally form the PMC Class of 2009. Equipped with clean white coats,
new stethoscopes and the protocol, we hit the wards in Penang Hospital and
Seberang Jaya in Residency 1, fighting with seniors for patients to clerk and examine.
We were then randomly grouped together and thrown out into the peripheries for 3
weeks to tour the country and to a lesser extent, learn Public Health – this
experience undoubtedly helped to forge many close friendships. Soon POP came
along and we had the privilege of welcoming new life into the world in Obstetrics &
Gynaecology, touching the lives of sick children in Paediatrics and learning about the
fragility of the human mind in Psychiatry. Before we knew it, final year was upon us
and it was time to dig out and learn the protocol again. With the high expectations
our consultants and tutors set for us earlier this year, we set forth to tackle our
challenges, emerging bolder and stronger than before.
None of us would have made it through the challenges of medicine without the help
of others:
Firstly, let us thank our parents and loved ones for giving us the wonderful gift of
education, for standing by us from near and far with constant support and a listening
ear. I’m particularly aware that many parents and families have traveled far to arrive
here in Penang today and its only fitting that we put our hands together to say a big
thank you to all of them at this ceremony that honours them as it does us.
(applause)
PMC together with RCSI and UCD has provided us with an excellent and unique
medical education combining the best of both Irish and Malaysian medical practices.
Our professors, faculty and clinical tutors have guided us with their wisdom and
depth of experience, leading us with confidence from the lecture theatre to the
bedside and inspiring our young minds with their work. The ever dedicated clinical
tutors and staff of Penang Hospital, Seberang Jaya Hospital and Taiping Hospital also
deserve our appreciation for teaching and accommodating us over the past 2 ½
years. The college administration has been there for us through the good times and
the bad, working tirelessly behind the scenes for our benefit.
We must never forget the patients who have contributed enormously to our
education, and for that, we owe them a debt of gratitude. It is easy to take for
granted the willingness of patients to take time off to give us an honest account of
their lives and let us examine them repeatedly. Behind every pair of rheumatoid
hands we examine or every cardiac murmur we auscultate, is a unique individual and
we must always treat our patients with respect and continue to learn from them.
We have been privileged to have their trust, and this is a debt we must continue to
repay throughout our professional careers.
The class of 2009 has reached a milestone in a lifelong journey. As our time in
medical school draws to its end, another begins. A long road with numerous
challenges lies ahead in our future careers and I trust that none of us will ever lose
sight of the noble quest of medicine. Practice with integrity, honesty and
compassion and continue to reach out and touch the lives of patients you meet as
you have over the past few years. Remember that success is not measured by how
well you fulfill the expectations of others, but by how you honestly live up to your
own expectations.
To my fellow colleagues, the time spent together in these hallowed walls has been
fruitful and memorable. I wish you all the very best in your future careers in
whichever branch of medicine you may choose to follow. A journey of a thousand
miles begins with a single step - I'm thoroughly honored to have taken that step with
all of you.
Congratulations again class of 2009! Thank you
Dr. Kok Hong Kuan
PENANG MEDICAL COLLEGE
5th July 2009