Five reasons why I am teaching in a medical school

 

I have never visualized myself as a medical educator. I always thought that I will practise medicine until I cannot practise anymore and they will drag me feet first from the hospital. So when Monash University from Australia first explored setting up a medical school campus in Malaysia with its clinical school in Johor Bahru, I attended their first meeting in Johor Bahru in 2005 more out of curiosity than anything else. Things moved rapidly after that and before I knew it I was signed on as a teacher and the first batch of students started arriving in 2007. The first classrooms and lecture halls were located in the renovated Hospital Sultanah Aminah's administration block. Subsequently as the student population increased, more classrooms appeared in the rented Hokkien Association Building until the present ultra-modern looking faculty building was built.

I was recently given recognition and award as one of the pioneer faculty of the clinical school. It was nice of the University to do so. The occasion gives me an opportunity to reflect on why I am involved in teaching in a medical school when I am already so busy with my private medical practice and other stuff. Here are five reasons why I am there.

1. Teaching - I always thought of myself as a lover of learning so it was a surprise to discover that I also have a passion to teach. As I begin to interact with students, I find that I enjoy their interactions, their hunger to know more, and their willingness to experiment with different modes of learning. This is an eyeopener for me as it exposes me to the newer technologies and interconnectiveness of the era. I am still amused by a class discussion where there were 8 students and 8 open laptops and nobody was talking to each other. I also discovered that Dr Google is their new best friend. When I asked them a question they immediately asked Dr Google! It was their youthful enthusiasm for life that bowled me over. They makes me feel younger with their zeal for life.
2. Sharing the hard knocks- in medicine we learn much more from our failures than from our successes. After three decades of practising medicine, I have collected enough hard knocks to share with these young aspiring doctors so that they do not (hopefully) have to repeat these same mistakes. These hard knocks are earned with a lot of blood, sweat and tears.
3. Practising the art of medicine - the science of medicine is usually the concern of most students as they have to assimilate enormous amount of information in their course. Medicine is as much an art as it is a science. The art of medicine comes from practice, reflection and the intrinsic character of the doctor. There is a integrity demanded from medical practitioners in order to be successful healers. Medicine is never a business.
4. Learning from my students - my students are teaching me more that they suspected. From them I learnt about the latest academic writings, their hopes and aspirations, and the way to adapt to change as a constant in their lives.
5. Medical legacy - medicine is built upon the foundations of apprenticeship/mentoring. As I  looked back in my career, there have been many doctors who have influenced, challenged, and molded me to be a better doctor and subsequently a better person. To them I owe a great debt of gratitude. I will like to repay that debt by continuing this medical legacy.

The challenge in Malaysia with its large numbers of medical schools is to find excellent, committed competent doctors who are willing to sacrifice their time and money (to some, time is money) to teach the new generations of young doctors the art and science of medicine. Woe to the people of Malaysia if it is flooded with a large number of poorly trained doctors with their licences to 'kill' instead of heal.

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Academic Mentors

One of God's greater blessings is to have good academic and spiritual mentors

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East Asia School of Theology Commencement Day 2013

Dear God,

Teach me to pray. Teach me to be open to you and learn how to commune with you. I know you are my gracious Father and has been waiting for me to come to you for a long time. I am sorry Lord, that I was just too busy. I was too busy running after the minor things of my life that I forget the major things. I was lost in the forest because I cannot see it for the trees.

Dear God, teach me to depend on you in all things. It is so easy to slip into the 'working mode' and make all things happen by my talents and hard work. Help me to break this habit of depending on my own strength and not on your grace. Help me to develop new habits as I seek to walk closer to you.

Open my eyes, Lord, to the wonders of your creation. Often I am too hurried to stop to see your sunset or smell your roses. Slow me down Lord, that I may behold the wonders of your creation. Let me be appreciative and give me back the sense of wonder I had as a child. 

Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me a sinner.
                                                                                                                                                                                           Amen

Interview by a Healthcare Magazine

a healthcare magazine is planning to feature me in one of their forthcoming issue. This is an extract of their interview.

Dr Alex Tang Tuck Hon

MD (UKM), PhD (AGSTA), Cert.Sp (USA), DCH (Glasgow), MRCP (UK), FRCP (Lond), FRCP (Edin), M.Min (M'sia), FAACP (USA), AM (M'sia)

Consultant Paediatrician

1.      What made you want to become a doctor?

I really did not remember when I decided I want to be a doctor. I came from a very poor family and there were no doctors around to be an influencing factor. I just knew from a very young age that I wanted to become a doctor and have never considered any other career choices. Even in my secondary school days when I begin to realise that there were too many obstacles to overcome, including financial ones, my desire to become a doctor never waivered. Looking back, I realise that it was not for altruistic reasons, because it is unlikely I know what that means. I feel that it is more of a vocation or calling.

2.      Why did you choose to specialise in your field of expertise?

In a sense, I did not choose to specialise in Paediatrics but Paediatrics chose me. During my initial years of training as a house and later medical officer, Paediatrics feels right for me. I am comfortable with it and it is a fit for my personality. The fact that I love children may also be a factor. There is so much innocence and joy in children that I hate to see them deprived of it. My special interest is in neonatology (care of the newborns) and respiratory medicine. My research interest is in medical ethics.

3.      What has been the proudest or most fulfilling moment for you professionally?

There have been many proud or fulfilling moments for me. One that stands out particularly was when I (and my nursery team) saved and kept alive an extremely premature baby that weighs 650 grams! After 3 months in the neonatal intensive care, I rejoiced with the parents when the baby was able to go home with a weight of 2 kg. I looked after him during his eventful childhood. Presently he is a practicing doctor in Australia.

4.      How did you come to be with KPJ?

In a way KPJ inherited me. I was with the original group of doctors from the beginnings of the Johor Specialist Hospital in Johor Bahru. These doctors invited the Johor State Economic Development Corporation (SEDC) to help them to run the hospital. The Johor SEDC evolved into the Johor Corporation and the team that ran the hospital into KPJ Healthcare.

5.      How do you feel to be part of the KPJ team?

KPJ has this culture where the doctors work closely with the administrators. This dated from its origin from my hospital, Johor Specialist Hospital, when the SEDC took over its management. Now at the hospital level, I am the chairman of the Pharmaceutical and Therapeutic Committee, and a member of the Board of Management. At the corporate level, I was with the KPJ Clinical Governance Committee and now with the KPJ Ethics Committee. I am grateful for the close collaboration between the clinicians and administrators at both the hospital and corporate levels.

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Goodbye My Paediatric Ward

The Paediatric Ward

Long have I walked your halls along with my nurses,

struggled and fought with our mortal bodies’ curses,

many a child and many a disease we encountered.

with medicine, prayers, sweat and tears countered.

There little Sammy eyes bright burning with fever,

here younger Tony face enclosed with asthma reliever,

tiny premie Vijayan snug and comfy in an infant warmer,

now sick, soon to recover and mend, human transformer.

In here, I journey with children and many a parent met,

radiating anxieties, worries, anger, frustrations, many fret,

when, oh when, will my child recover and the illness surmount,

they’ve recovered, can go home, doc how about some discount!

Armed with knowledge of years of medical training indoctrination,

med school, specialist training, working refining build a foundation,

each sick child unique, fragile, handle carefully, no room for mistake,

sleepless nights, endless concern, premature graying too much at stake.

With friendly colleagues and angels of mercy we serve the kids,

team work, working tirelessly we strive from diseased bodies rids

that which harms, distort or deform our patients’ innate potential,

we pour our hearts, minds, souls, love, energy doing the essential.

Now they say you are old need a makeover as fitting private wards,

they will tear up your floors, pull down walls with painted storyboards,

the structures may be destroyed the memories thousand good deeds not,

these tiny tots saved have grown up, now parents with their own tiny tots!

Note: Renovations on the present Paediatric wards at KPJ Johor Specialist Hospital will begin on 10 Dec 2012. All these will be gone. The price of progress.

It's here!

After years of living with Abba Ah Beng and his disciples (the little monks) in my head, the compilation of their adventures and misadventures is in print. Special thanks to my family who read through each story and laughed at the appropriate sections. To Lim Hai Seng whose illustrations brings life to the tales and who designed the cover. Also to the team at Armour Publishing for their editing, designs and printing (and tolerating a very kiasu author). And a special thanks to a certain eagle-eyed proof reader who spotted all the typos.

May this book be an instrument for the expansion of his kingdom.

Soli Deo Gloria.

Flowers for Someone Special

A Prayer for My Grand Daughter

A prayer for my granddaughter

LORD, we do thank you for this wonderful little girl,

given to us at the start of this new year.

May her mother be a fountain of love and joy,

from whom she draws nourishment and wisdom.

May her father be a pillar of strength and integrity,

from whom she draws dignity and humanity.

May her parents’ love for each other and for her provide a matrix,

in which she will grow in wisdom and stature,

and in favour with God and men.

May she always have passion in her heart and light in her eyes;

passion to give a purpose to her living,

and the light of aliveness to enjoy and appreciate life.

Protect her, O LORD, from the wiles of the evil ones,

and strengthen her to face her temptations.

May her cup overfloweth and help her to sail on the river of no regrets,

avoiding the rapids of resentment, bitterness and unforgiveness.

Give her good and faithful friends to keep her company,

and mentors and spiritual directors to guide her path.

Help her to develop the gifts and talents you have given her,

so that she will develop to her full potential as a person.

Guide her to develop a humility that comes from knowing you,

and to learn from her successes and failures.

Give her the persistence to strive for whatever is right and true,

and the courage to follow her passion wherever it may lead her.

LORD, let this precious little one come to know you,

as her Lord and Saviour, offering her life to the Father in service,

living her life in Christ, and becoming like Christ in the process.

May she bears the fruit of the Holy Spirit and,

let your light shine brightly in her so that she will draw others to you.

We humbly ask this in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit.

Amen

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John Stott, My Inspiration

I first heard John Stott speak when I was a medical student and a very young Christian. John Stott came to Kuala Lumpur to give a talk in the University of Malaya campus organized by the Varsity Christian Fellowship (VCF) which later became Fellowship of Evangelical Students (FES). I remember being very impressed by his message and his passion. I also remembered shaking the hand of this ‘well known’ Christian speaker. I began reading his books which are very influential to my Christian spiritual journey. I remember reading Basic Christianity (1958, rev.1971) which helps me construct the foundation of my faith. I read the revised 1971 version, of course (I am not that old!). It started me on my mission of Bible study and understanding the Scripture. This mission was fortified by another of his book, Your Mind Matters (1972). John Stott’s mastery of the Word and in preaching inspires me to a ministry of Bible-based teaching and preaching. Between Two Worlds: The Art of Preaching in the Twentieth Century (1982) and The Contemporary Christian: An urgent plea for double listening (1992) are books I retreat to when my zeal for the art runs dry.

Another of John Stott’s book that influenced me is Issues Facing Christians Today (1985) and its new edition (4^th ed.) New Issues Facing Christian Today (2006). This book is instrumental in helping me to move into studying and understanding the engagement of Christianity with culture and morality. It moves me into biomedical ethics and Christ-and-culture studies which I am doing now.

One of the highlights of my time in Edinburgh while doing my specialist training is to take the intercity train down to London to listen to John Stott preach at All Souls [Anglican Church] at Langham Place. I also took a course by John Stott at his London Institute for Contemporary Christianity. The London Institute inspired me to set up the Spiritual Formation Institute in Holy Light Church (English) eight years ago.

Through the years, I continue to be inspired by Stott. I read all his writings, listen to or watch the videos of all his sermons, lectures and talks that I can get my hands on. Stott is a prolific writer, publishing at least 50 books. He never married but devoted his life to his ministry. He lived a simple life, donating the royalties from his books to Langham Partnership International (known as John Stott Ministries in the US) which he started in 1974. This organisation serves to improve preaching and teaching of the Bible in the third world. He rejected promotion to become a bishop of the Anglican Church, preferring to remain vicar of All Souls so that he can devote all his time and energy to teaching and preaching the Word. He is instrumental in the drafting of the Lausanne Covenant in 1974 which is a boost to world mission. In a way, John Stott’s life calls to mind the title of one of Eugene Peterson’s book, A Long Obedience in the Same Direction. Though Peterson is talking about the biblical David, the concept of faithfulness in obedience may equally be applied to Stott.

The Radical Disciple: Some Neglected Aspects of Our Calling (2010), his last book sums up his influence on the evangelical world and also on me personally. The purpose of this book, says Stott, is to consider eight characteristics of discipleship that are often neglected and yet deserve to be taken seriously: nonconformity, Christlikeness, maturity, creation care, simplicity, balance, dependence, and death. Stott went to be with the Lord on 27 July 2011.

The New Me

The Beautiful Land

A beautiful song written by a mother for her son.



That Beautiful Land' - In Memory of Julian Ruan who was called home with Lord Jesus on January 10, 2006.

Lyrics: KN Chua
Music: Wei Wong

My Batman Christmas 2010

no, it's not my birthday, it's my Christmas present

My Mission Statement and Scope of Ministry

I have been giving some thoughts to and reviewing some of my activities this past year. This is a summarised mission statement and scope of ministry.

I am a visual learner and sometimes it is helpful for me to write down and list things.


My Mission Statement

To nurture spiritual formation of disciples of Jesus Christ to develop informed minds, hearts on fire, and contemplative in actions.

Present Scope of Ministry

1. Preaching and teaching at Holy Light Church (English), Johor Bahru, Malaysia

2. Preaching and teaching at other churches

3. Preaching and teaching at conferences, seminars and church camps

4. Organising seminars and workshops

5. Mentoring of individuals and groups

6. Pastoral and spiritual friendships with pastors, full time workers and other church leaders.

7. Teaching courses at seminaries and Bible colleges

8. Spiritual direction and retreat directing

9. Mentoring of individuals and groups

10. Writing articles, chapters and books

11. Establishing an Internet presence though blogs, websites and the social media (Facebook, Twitter)

12. Study and research Spiritualities and Christian spiritual formation

13. Study and research Biomedical Ethics

14. Study and research Practical Theology

I find that having a mission statement and a list for scope of ministry helps me to see where I am at and where I should be going. I do appreciate your prayers.
 
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Go Forth, Young Doctors

This is the second cohort of medical students to graduate from Monash University Malaysia. All will be taking up house officer jobs in Malaysia or in Australia soon. They are not longer my students but are now my colleagues and friends. I am so proud of them. Go forth, young doctors.

Self-Promotion

I have been invited to be a speaker for a church camp. The organisers have asked me to make a short promo video. That is something I have never done before. This is the result of my amateurish attempt.

can you spot the typo? So embarassing.

Preaching at First Baptist Church Kuching, Sarawak

Here is a post about my preaching at First Baptist Church Kuching (reposted with permission). It is a privilege to share with them and it was wonderful to be received so warmly into their fellowship. Met some Facebook friends and also some old friends there. Thank you, First Baptist Church Kuching. Love the photos!

Monday, August 30, 2010

Run with Horses

Last Sunday, our church had the honour of Dr.Alex Tang, medical doctor, author, famous blogger to share with us the above titled sermon.

Dr.Alex Tang worship at Holy Light Church, Johore. He is also a pediatrician working in Johore Specialist Centre.

His sermon referred mainly to Jeremiah 12:5

"If you have raced with men on foot and they worn you out how can you compete with horses? If you stumble in safe country how will you manage in the thickets by the Jordan?"

Basically, his message was to encourage us even as we stumbled. Do not give up, at least if we ran with men on foot we have started running. Do not give up easily. God will help us in our struggles if we turn to Him.

More about my sermon here

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20 Years with Johor Specialist Hospital

I have been practicing Pediatrics at the Johor Specialist Hospital for 20 years.



Soli Deo Gloria

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Study on Jeremiah

I intend to spend the next six months immersed in the study of the Book of Jeremiah and Lamentations. For me this is the best way to study a topic or subject. I have started with these books








including these digital books in my Logos library software
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 26, Jeremiah 1-25(craigie/kelley/drinkard)
Word Biblical Commentary Vol. 27, Jeremiah 26-52 (keown/scalise/smothers)

Are there any other books on Jeremiah or Lamentations that you think will be good for me to study? Will appreciate your recommendations.

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Charles Swindoll's Death Wish

"One of my great goals in life is to live long enough to where I am in the pulpit, preaching my heart out, and I die on the spot, my chin hits the pulpit—boom!—and I'm down and out. What a way to die!"

Charles Swindoll, at a Thomas Road Baptist Church pastors conference.
Source: The Orlando Sentinel

Yeah, that's a good way to go. For me, it's to preach a great sermon, go home, get into bed with my wife, read a good book, fall asleep and die in my sleep.

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Biomedical Ethics Course-the Aftermath

Biomedical Ethics & the Contemporary Church

18, 19, 25, 26 June 2010

Fridays: 2.00 pm to 5.00 pm;

Saturdays 9.00 am to 4.00 pm

Advances in medical treatment modalities, biotechnological innovations, and genetic-molecular manipulations have brought about unique challenges to issues faced by the church today. In this class, a pastoral-theological approach will be used to examine, reflect and develop responses to difficult moral and ethical issues such as test tube and designer babies, facts and fallacies of stem cell therapies, cloning, abortion, mercy-killing, living will, gene therapy, and aesthetic surgery

I have had a great time with an excellent group of enthusiastic students.

Here are some of their comments on facebook.

Ee Yuing 玉盈, Jean Lai, Brian Aja and 2 others like this.

Si Baw Mi

We really did. For the first time I felt that block class is kinda short :)

Saturday at 8:48pm

Kok Meng Chan

Interesting and exciting! For the first time, after 2 years in school, I saw more than 90% of the students actively participating in the class discussions. Sometimes, the arguments lasted even longer than the lectures and class presentations. Usually, I don't talked that much in the other classes. Thank you, Dr Tang!

Saturday at 11:16pm ·

Jason CH Yap

Hear, hear! Great fun, totally educational ... Thanks!

Saturday at 11:18pm ·

Ee Yuing 玉盈

It was intense but I learned much from you and the rest of the classmates! Thank you, Alex! :)

Yesterday at 7:06am ·

Boo Hui Ling

Yeah, yeah! I love it too - teacher, classmates, textbooks, homework and course contents! Wahaha oh ya going to hand in my last reflection paper soon ;p


Soli Deo Gloria