A guiding force

Dr Suzanne Goh gets personal on how she intends to support individuals in her new role as Associate Dean of Student Affairs. 

Congrats on your new role; tell us about your journey to assuming it

I officially assumed the role this September. Previously, I was the Assistant Dean for Clinical Integration, mostly working with students in Phase 1 and Phase 2, their first two years of medical school. I was primarily involved in teaching, which has always been a major passion.  

However, over the past 12 years, I realised that the students weren’t learning in a bubble and that their lives could get in the way of their education. I started to think about what areas of support the school could provide them with. This new role allows me to identify these areas and develop ways to help students. 

How has the transition been?

In my last role, I would counsel and advocate for students on an individual basis. In this new role I am more incisive in identifying areas to help students. I intend to be more proactive and pre-emptive in the ways in which the department supports students. 

What is the role of Student Affairs?

We are focusing on student advocacy, while helping students with what they want and what they don’t realise they need. Students may come in and ask for something, like say, a 60-inch television and we could scramble to get it for them. But would it actually benefit them? Instead, I hope to champion what they need to set them up for success, including building resilience, confidence, the ability to identify their areas for improvement and the skills to address them - even if these may not be the most obvious popular choice.  

Do you still see patients?

Yes, I run a Paediatric Endocrinology clinic in KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital and see patients ranging from new-borns to older teens and adults. Some of them really should not be seeing me anymore, but refuse to leave. I think it’s because I’ve been their doctor all their lives so they feel comfortable with me. 

Tell us more about yourself

I did my MBBS as a graduate student after receiving my undergraduate degree in microbiology (Dr Goh earned both her degrees at University College London). I can relate to what our students are going through since I’ve had first-hand experience as an older student and doctor. 

Also, as many of our staff know, my son has autism and this journey to help him has changed the way that I’ve learnt about supporting an individual. I have witnessed first-hand the transformative power of believing in a person’s potential.  

You have to support an individual at the pace and manner they require. Then, it’s about providing the best environment in which they can flourish. Because of my experiences, I’m passionate about identifying what a learner needs in order to blossom.