“I could see myself spreading love and joy to others through my music as a way of connecting with them, which mirrors the critical aspect of empathy in a physician-patient relationship. Empathy helps a doctor make sense of the irrational side of human emotion to build trust and rapport with the patient, and that’s what makes medicine a beautiful art. After all, doctors don’t treat the disease: they treat the patient. Empathy also allows a doctor to ‘customise’ care for patients of different age ranges and ethnic backgrounds.”

Derek Ping-Chieh Chan

“Every patient comes with a diagnosis, but they also come with a family, a community and circumstances that shape their health. Population health taught me to ask questions beyond the presenting illness—whether someone has access to care, whether they have adequate social support or whether their environment makes it difficult to follow treatment plans. Carrying this perspective forward as I begin medical school, I hope to become a physician who sees beyond the clinical presentation to understand the full reality of my patients' lives.”

Aparna Giri Shankar

“Through my experiences in finance, I’ve come to appreciate that bringing new technologies to patients requires much more than scientific discovery. It also requires people who understand how to support, develop and scale those innovations.”

Zhang Ruoyi (Emma)

“Just as I adapt the way I teach each [ballet] student, I hope to tailor the way I communicate and care for each patient, taking the time to understand what matters to them and supporting them in a way that best meets their individual needs.”

Natalie Elizabeth Low Qian Hui

“Working with people with disabilities requires understanding and attunement towards each person's unique needs and circumstances, as well as an ability to remain emotionally regulated while navigating complex or challenging situations. These experiences shape how I approach both people and problem-solving, and I believe they will help me become a more person-centred and adaptable physician.”

Keryna Chandra