His Achievements: Career and Academics

Dr Chan Kin Ming studied in Raffles Institution and did his ‘O’ Level in 1975 and ‘A’ Level in 1977.  

Thereafter, he was awarded a PSC scholarship to study Medicine in King Edward VII College of Medicine, which was later renamed in 1982 to Faculty of Medicine, National University of Singapore.

He graduated with MB;BS(S’pore) in 1983.  He did his housemanship in the Department of Paediatric Medicine at Alexandra Hospital, followed by a posting in General Surgery, also at Alexandra Hospital.  His final housemanship posting was in the Department of Medicine (Unit 1 or University Department) at Singapore General Hospital.  It was in Singapore General Hospital that he developed a passion for internal medicine, and later geriatric medicine.  

Upon completion of his Masters in Internal Medicine in 1988, he did a short stint in the Blood Bank and Department of Haematology in SGH as Medical Officer (Specialist) as he completed his Masters in 2 years instead of the usual 3 years.  In 1989, he went to Tan Tock Seng Hospital as a Registrar and was among the first few doctors to start the first Department of Geriatric Medicine in Singapore.

He was subsequently awarded the Health Manpower Development Plan for Geriatric Medicine (HMDP) in 1990 to further hone his skills in Geriatric Medicine.  He was interned (as an Honorary Senior Registrar) at the Victoria Geriatric Unit of Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow.  There, he was trained by Prof John Dall, a world leading authority in Geriatric Medicine and was the President of the European Geriatric Society. It was during his HMDP in Glasgow that he obtained his Diploma in Geriatric Medicine from the Royal College of Surgeons and Physicians, Glasgow, in 1990.  

Upon his return to Singapore in1991, he was tasked to start the first Geriatric Centre and the first Geriatric Day Hospital in Singapore, the Alexandra Geriatric Centre at Alexandra Hospital where he remained as Head of Department.  

He was elected as Fellow, Academy of Medicine in 1993 and received a Certificate of Specialist Registration in Geriatric Medicine in 1998.  In 1998, he was seconded to head the Department of Geriatric Medicine at Changi General Hospital.  He remained as Head of both departments until he resigned to start his private practice in 2000.  By then, both departments had programmes and clinics running, and were popular choices for doctors to apply for training there.

While he was at Alexandra Hospital, he received the Excellence in Teaching Award in 1998 and Excellence in Research and Publications Award in 1999.

He had also published the first textbook of Geriatric Medicine called ‘Geriatric Medicine for Singapore’ in 1996.  This textbook became the standard textbook by doctors attending the Graduate Diploma in Geriatric Medicine Course and by nurses studying for the Gerontological Nursing Course.  In addition, he also published another 2 books for laypersons:  ‘Common Problems of the Aged’ in 2001 and ‘The Golden Years – A Caregivers’ Guide’ in 2009.

During his career in Alexandra Hospital and Changi General Hospital, he was promoted almost every year from 1995 as a Senior Registrar to Senior Consultant Superscale Grade E by the time he resigned from service in mid 2000 (Senior Registrar, Consultant Superscale H, Consultant Superscale G, Consultant Superscale F and Consultant Superscale E)

He had been an Expert Witness as well as a Court Appointed Expert Witness for several cases in the Singapore Family Court, Mental Capacity Court and High Court, as well as in the New South Wales Guardianship Tribunal (New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal), the Guardianship Tribunal of Sydney, Australia, and the Malaysian and Indonesian Courts.

In 2014, he was appointed by the United Nations as the Geriatric Specialist to assess fitness-for-trial of senior Khmer Rouge leaders in Case 002/02 of the Extraordinary Chambers of the Courts of Cambodia (ECCC).  In 2015, he testified before the 5 Judges (3 Cambodian and 2 International Judges) at the Trial Chambers on the Cognitive and Physical fitness to stand trial on the 2 accused.  

He also helped to modify the Abbreviated Mental Test (a test of cognitive function) into the Khmer language and helped to train doctors (psychiatrists and neurologists) from the Khmer-Soviet Friendship Hospital, Phnom Penh, to administer this test.

In 2021, he was conferred The Public Service Medal (Pingat Bakti Masyarakat) by the President of Singapore.

During the past few years, his other achievements include:

1. the Presidential Citation from National Council of Social Services in 1992, Tributes Award from NCSS in 1999 and Certificate for Dedicated Voluntary Service to the Community Resource Volunteers Corps.
2. Recipient of MOH Research Grant Award in 1993 to Study the State of Health, Function, Cognition and Social Status of Elderly Living in the Community in Singapore where he was the Principal Investigator for this Research.
3. Chairman, Co-ordinating Committee for Geriatric Care (West)
4. Member, Specialist Training Committee for Geriatric Medicine, Ministry of Health. 1998
5. Member, Advisory Committee on Medicine (Geriatric Medicine) 1999 –  2005
6. Founder and Volunteer Doctor of the Boon Teck Community Health Screening Service.  Boon Teck Community Centre.  1987 – 1991
7. Alexandra Hospital and Alexandra Geriatric Centre:  
8. Consultant and Head of Geriatric Department. 1995 – Jul 2010
9. Changi General Hospital:  
10. Consultant and Concurrent Head of Department of Geriatric Medicine, 1998 – Jul 2000
11. National University of Singapore:  Clinical Senior Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine.  1998 – 2000
12. Singapore General Hospital:  Visiting Senior Consultant, Division of Geriatric Medicine.  2004 – 2020.
13. SIM University:  Associate Faculty for Masters in Gerontology Programme.  2012
14. Ang Mo Kio Hospital:  Chairman, Board of Directors, 2002 – 2016
15. Ang Mo Kio-Thye Hua Kwan Hospital:  Chairman, Medical Board, 2002 – 2016
16. WestPoint Family Hospital:  Chairman, Medical Board and Visiting Consultant Physician and Geriatrician, 2003 – 2006
17. Lions Home for the Elders.  Chairman, Medifund Committee.  2001 – 2004
18. Thye Hua Kwan Nursing Home Ltd:  Chairman:  2015 – 2018
19. Singapore Christian Home:  Director and Member of the Professional and Services Subcommittee.  2008 – 2023
20. Apex Day and Rehabilitation Centre: Chairman, Medical Specialist Board 1995 – 2000
21. Wan Ching Lodge:  Geriatric advisor to setting up of Wan Ching Lodge, 1993
22. Senior Citizen’s Health Care Centre – Toa Payoh:  Director.  2004 – 2006; Chairman 2006 – 2010
23. Senior Citizen’s Health Care Centre – Geylang:  Director.  2004 – 2006; Chairman 2006 – 2010
24. Toa Payoh Seniors Activities Centre @ 15:  Vice Chairman, 2013
25. Thye Hua Kwan Ensuite Services:  Consultant and Adviser to development and implementation of this programme.  This is a home care programme which comprises of medical, nursing, social, home help and therapy to support early discharge of patients from Hospitals.
26. SAGE Counselling Centre:  Director, 2015 – Present
27. Medical Adviser, NTUC Income Long Term Care Scheme and Panel Specialist for Eldershield/IDAPE Scheme for NTUC Income and Great Eastern Life Assurance.
28. Chairman of Workgroup that transformed Toa Payoh East into a Dementia Friendly Community 2019 – 2021
29. REVIEWER FOR MEDICAL JOURNALS:
30. Reviewer for Asia Pacific Journal of Public Health – 1995
31. Reviewer for a Grant administered by The Wellcome Trust, London.  Oct 1999
32. Reviewer for Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore – 1996- present
33. Reviewer for Singapore Medical Journal – 1997- present 
34. Reviewer for Grants for National Medical Research Council, 1997
35. External Reviewer of Research Projects for Changi General Hospital 
36. ACADEMIC WORK / SCIENTIFIC MEETINGS:
37. Recipient of Research Grant Award from MOH:  Principal Investigator:  To Study the State of Health, Function, Cognition and social Status of Elderly living in the Community in Singapore, 1993. 
38. International Association of Gerontology /World Congress of Gerontology 1997:  Scientific Chairman, and Member, Organising Committee 
39. MOH Working Group on Management and Prevention of MRSA Infection, June 1997
40. Member, MOH Working Committee on Osteoporosis (01/98)
41. National Coordinator of WISHE Study (Worldwide Isolated Systolic Hypertension and Evaluation Study) 1998 – 2000
42. Part time Clinical Teacher, Medical Faculty, National University of Singapore.  1988 –  2000
43. MOH Workgroup for Stroke Rehabilitation. 1999
44. Teaching faculty, Diploma in Geriatric Medicine, School of Postgraduate Medical Studies.  2000
45. Peer Reviewer for Clinical Practice Guidelines on Diabetes Mellitus.
46. Member, Organising Committee, Gleneagles Hospital 4th State of the Art Seminar 2001:  Fighting Infections.
47. Chairman, Scientific Committee, Gleneagles Hospital 5th Annual Seminar 2002:  Ageing and Lifestyle
48. Hononary Lecturer, Edith Cowan University, Australia for the Andrology and Men’s Health Programme.  2002
49. Member, Organising Committee, Mt Alvernia Hospital Annual Medical Conference.  Feb 2004
50. MOH Workgroup on Dementia.  2004-2005
51. Academy of Medicine, Singapore, Chapter of Physicians, Specialty Resource Committee Member.  Jan 2003 – Dec 2004
52. Assessor in Geriatric Medicine, Geriatric Medicine STC
53. Member, Specialist Training Committee, Geriatric Medicine
54. College of Physicians, Singapore: Honorary Treasurer (elect) 2004 – 2006; Vice President 2006 – 2008; Honorary Treasurer 2008 – 2010; Council Member 2010 – 2013
55. Teaching Faculty, Masters of Medicine (Internal Medicine).  1998 – 2000
56. Teaching Faculty, Masters of Medicine (Public Health).   2000
57. Teaching Faculty, College of Family Physicians.  Diploma in Family Medicine Course and Fellowship in Family Medicine.  2000 – present
58. Member, Standing Committee on Membership, Academy of Medicine Singapore 2008 – 2011
59. Examiner, Gerontological Nursing Course 1992 – 3.
60. Supervisor, Advanced Trainees in Geriatric Medicine. 1995-2000
61. Focus group meeting on Physiotherapists and Occupational Therapists, Ministry of Health.  1999
62. Appointed internal examiner in Medicine for the Final MB;BS Exam, March 2000
63. Teaching Faculty, Masters in Healthcare Management.  MDIS.  2011 – present
64. Teaching Faculty, Masters in Gerontology.  UniSIM 2012
65. External Examiner for Exit Certification in Internal Medicine 2012
66. Content Partner, Borderless Healthcare in developing Geriatric Apps for Mobile Health Incubation Program 2013.
67. Senior Residency Physician Faculty Member, Singapore General Hospital, 2014 – 2020
68. Reviewer for Module ‘Applied Pathophysiology and Pharmacology in Gerontology’ for the Specialist Diploma in Community Gerontological Nursing, School of Health Sciences (Nursing), Ngee Ann Polytechnic.  2016
69. PUBLICATIONS

Numerous publications in local and foreign journals, including Singapore Medical Journal, Annals Academy of Medicine, Postgraduate Medical Journal, Singapore Family Physicians, Medical Progress and Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.

1. Chan KM, YC Chee. Infections in the Elderly. Annals Academy of Medicine 1990; 19:364-9.
2. Lim SH, Tan CB, Chan KM et al. A case of  acute sympathetolytic autonomic neuropathy.   Annals Acad Med 1990;19:404-6.
3. Chan KM, Tan ES.  Use of lower limb prosthesis in elderly amputees.  Annals Acad  Med 1990.19:811-6.
4. Chan KM.  Epilepsy – another cause of  intermittent fever with confusion.   Postgrad Med J 1992; 68: 119-20. 
5. Chan KM, P Lim, YC Chee, FJ Jayaratnam.  Urinary symptoms and urodynamic diagnosis in the elderly.  Ann Acad Med 1992; 21: 813 – 7.
6. Chan KM.  Dizziness in the elderly- An Approach. Singapore Family Physician 1992, XVIII:45-9.
7. Chan KM.  Syncope in the elderly-  An Approach.  Singapore Family Physician 1992, XVIII (2): 101-4.
8. Chan KM, K Beard.  A patient with recurrent hypothermia associated with thrombocytopenia.  Postgrad Med J 1993; 69: 227 – 9.
9. Chan KM.  Pitfalls in Geriatric Prescribing.  Singapore Family Physician 1995; XXI:12-19.
10. Chan KM.  Systemic Lupus Erythromatosus – Not to be forgotten in the Elderly.  Singapore Medical Journal 1995; 36:105-6.
11. Geriatric Medicine for Singapore, Chief Editor Dr Chan Kin Ming, Multi-authored textbook of geriatric medicine, Armour Publishing, 1996
12. Chan KM, Pang WS, Ee CH, Ding YY, P Choo.  Epidemiology of Falls Among the Elderly Community Dwellers in Singapore.  Singapore Med J 1997; 38:427-31.
13. Chan KM, Pang WS, Ee CH, Ding YY, P Choo.  Self-Perception of Health Among Elderly Community Dwellers in Singapore. Ann Acad Med, Singapore, 1998; 27:461-467.
14. Wong SF, Yap KB, Chan KM. Day Hospital Rehabilitation for the Elderly:  A Retrospective Study.  Ann Acad Med 1998; 27:468-473.
15. KM Chan, SF Wong, T Yoong.  Nursing Home Applications – Reasons and Possible Interventions.  Singapore Med J 1998; 39:451-455.
16. JA Low, KB Yap, KM Chan, T Tang.  Care of Elderly Patients with DNR Orders in Singapore – A Descriptive Study.  Singapore Med J 1998; 456-460.
17. Outpatient Prescribing Patterns in a Teaching Hospital in Singapore.  Yap KB, Chan KM.  Singapore Med J 1998; 39: 496-500.
18. Chan KM, Pang WS, Ee CH, Ding YY, P Choo. Functional Status of Elderly Community Dwellers in Singapore. Singapore Med J 1999; 40: 578-580.
19. JA Low, KB Yap, KM Chan.  Posterior Cerebral Artery Territory Infarct Presenting as Acute Psychosis.  Singapore Med J 1999; 40:654-655.
20. Lim LC, Low JA, Chan KM. Chrysteobacterium memingosepticum (Flavobacterium meningosepticum) — A Report of Five Cases in a Local Hospital. Annals, Academy of Medicine, Singapore, 1999; 28: 858-860
21. JA Low, KB Yap, KM Chan.  Posterior Cerebral Artery Territory Infarct Presenting as Acute Psychosis.  Singapore Med J 1999; 40: 702-703
22. Chan KM, Pang WS, Ee CH, Ding YY, P Choo.  Pattern of Drug Usage Among Elderly Community Dwellers in Singapore. – Accepted for SMJ
23. Common Problems of the Aged – a book written for lay persons.  This heartwarming book untangles the ailments of the golden years and presents case studies that offer sympathetic solutions for seniors and their caregivers, by Dr Chan Kin Ming.  Publisher:  Times Books International. 2001
24. SYL Au, KM Chan, YH Chan, WS Pang.  Early Unplanned Readmission of Elderly in Singapore:  A Retrospective Study.  Ann Acad Med 2002; 31: 738 – 744.
25. The Golden Years – A Caregivers’ Guide.  Editor:  Dr Chan Kin Ming.  Marshall Cavendish Editions.
26. KM Chan.  Diseases that Result in Disability in Adults.  The Singapore Family Physician 2012; Vol 38 (2) Apr-Jun 2012: 21-23
27. Low LP, L Zhang, Ang SB, Chan KM, I Chew, Lee CS, Lim CH, VP Nair, Wong SF, Mak KH.  Multidisciplinary Perspectives on the Role of Plant Sterols in Managing Low Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.  Medical Progress 2012.  473-479
28. Venkataraman K, Fong NP, Chan KM, Tan BY, Menon E, Lee KK, Koh GC.  Rehabilitation outcomes after inpatient rehabilitation for lower extremity amputations in patients with diabetes. Archives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  2016
29. ORAL / POSTER PRESENTATION
30. Singapore-Malaysian Congress of Medicine 1993.  A Clinical Review Of Drug Therapy Among Elderly Inmates In The Chronic Sick Unit In  Singapore.
31. Community Based Continence Clinics – a 2 Year Experience.  Pang WS, Yap GH, Chan KM, Ee CH, P Choo, Theresa Yoong.  First Asian Symposium on Longevity.  Kuala Lumpur, Dec 1996.
32. Epidemiology of Falls Among the Elderly Community Dwellers in Singapore.  Chan KM.  Singapore Satellite Pre-Congress Symposium of the 1997 World Congress of Gerontology, Singapore, 17.8.97
33. A Study to Assess How Elderly Community Dwellers in Singapore Perceive Their Own Health and the Factors that Influence their Perception.  Chan KM.  Singapore Satellite Pre-Congress Symposium of the 1997 World Congress of Gerontology, Singapore, 18.8.97
34. Trends in Rehabilitation Efficiency and Effectiveness in a Community Hospital.  Gerald CH Koh, Tan BY, Fong NP, Chan KM, Edward Menon, Lee KK, Cheong SK, Wong TY, Cheong A, Chia KS, David Koh.  Singapore Disease Management Conference 2008.
35. Predictors of Rehabilitation Efficiency and Effectiveness in a Community Hospital.  Gerald CH Koh, Tan BY, Fong NP, Chan KM, Edward Menon, Lee K K, Cheong SK, Wong TY, Cheong A, Chia KS, David Koh.  Singapore Disease Management Conference 2008.
36. Multidisciplinary Perspectives on the Role of Plant Sterols in Managing Low-density Lipoprotein Cholesterol.  Low LP, Zhang L, Ang SB, Chan KM, Chew I, Lee CS, Lim CH, Nair VP, Wong SF, Mak KH.  Medical Progress Oct 2012 Vol 39 No. 10:473-9
37. OTHERS:
38. Member, Expert Panel IV, Centre for Drug Evaluation (CDE). 1999-2003
39. Member, National Panel of Medical Experts for Mediation (e@dr Centre of Subordinate Courts) – 1st Mar 2003 – 28 Feb 2005
40. Member, Singapore Medical Council Complaints Committee 
41. SOCIETIES:
42. Society for Geriatric Medicine, Singapore:  Founding Member, Vice Chairman 1999 – 2000. Committee Member 2000 – 2003
43. Osteoporosis Society of Singapore: Committee member.  2000
44. Society for the Study of the Ageing Male (Singapore) Vice President and Member, 2001—2003
45. Eldercare Network, National Council of Social Services:  Member, 2000
46. American Geriatric Society:  Member.
47. Gerontological Society of Singapore:  Member
    1. Member of Educational Subcommittee 1991 – 1992
    2. Council member and Chairman of Editorial Subcommittee, 1993 – 1995.
    3. Council member, 1995 – 1996
48. New York Academy of Sciences:  Member. 1999
49. Society for Continence, Singapoare:  Executive Committee Member
50. Alzheimer’s Disease Association:  Member, Training Sub-Committee
51. Centre for Study of Ageing of Singapore Action Group of Elders (CENFOSA).  Member
52. Diabetic Society of Singapore: Member, Subcommittee on Support for the Elderly Diabetic. 1997
53. Society for Study of Ageing Male, Singapore: Vice President, Life Member. 2001- 2003