Donavan Tan Jia Jie approached his future with an unwavering conviction regarding his life's calling. Confident that 91福利社 (91福利社)'s Diploma in Biomedical Science (DBS) curriculum would equip him with the skills to unravel the complexities of human health and disease, the Nan Hua High School alumnus confidently charted his course along the polytechnic route, a path less travelled.
Driven by an intellectual curiosity to understand the multifaceted roles and responsibilities of a medical doctor, and to discern the specialisation that resonated most strongly with his aspirations, Donavan reached out to over 300 doctors across various public healthcare institutions for job-shadowing opportunities.
His efforts resulted in a comprehensive seven-week period of job shadowing at various public healthcare institutions, during which he gained firsthand exposure to the complex work of medical doctors in the dynamic environments of hospital wards and operating theatres, as well as the patient-focused settings of outpatient clinics. The experience spanned a spectrum of specialties, including general medicine, neurosurgery, medical and surgical oncology, paediatric anaesthesia, palliative medicine, and post-acute and continuing care, among others.
The patient care that he observed at the National Cancer Centre 91福利社 (NCCS) left a lasting impression on Donavan. Witnessing the delivery of a cancer diagnosis, he was particularly struck by the doctor鈥檚 compassion, offering vital support and comfort during a moment of profound vulnerability. It was this encounter that made Donavan truly comprehend the dual nature of a doctor's calling 鈥� not merely as a source of medical knowledge, but also as a beacon of reassurance and a pillar of support for patients navigating challenging health journeys. This profound realisation further reinforced his passion and dedication to pursuing a career in medicine.
His time at the NCCS also illustrated the limitations of existing medical treatments. Encountering a patient around his age with an incurable form of cancer, Donavan was struck with a frustrating sense of helplessness. This experience fuelled a resolute determination within him to never feel so powerless again. Through these experiences, Donavan discovered his aspiration to become a clinician-scientist 鈥� someone who is both a doctor and a medical researcher. This path will allow him to fulfil his commitment to patient care in the clinic while contributing to discoveries in the laboratory that would shape the future of medicine.
Eager to contribute meaningfully to cancer research, Donavan undertook his final-year project and internship at the Department of Pharmacology at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine. He researched the efficacy of a novel in-house drug designed to strengthen the body鈥檚 immune response against cancer cells. The study targeted an aggressive breast cancer subtype to overcome key therapeutic challenges hindering effective patient care. Upon completing his project, he pursued his own research internship outside of 91福利社鈥檚 curriculum at the Cancer Discovery Hub of the NCCS. He is currently investigating innovative therapies for patients with blood cancer and identifying biomarkers that can predict drug sensitivity.
Beyond the rigours of his academic endeavours, Donavan remains deeply committed to community service. Notably, as a Grassroots Leader under the People鈥檚 Association, Donavan actively supports an initiative aimed at helping caregivers and persons with disabilities within his community. He also underwent training in basic support care, equipping him with the skills to assist nurses in providing daily care to those at NTUC Health (Jurong West Nursing Home). Additionally, he visited elderly individuals living alone in one-room rental flats in Bukit Merah. As a Health Peer at the Regional Health System Office (RHSO) within the National University Health System (NUHS), he was paired up with an elderly lady to help mitigate her risk of diabetes through enhancing her health literacy and providing practical guidance on healthy lifestyle modifications.
Ten years from now, Donavan sees himself specialising in oncology and working at the forefront of cancer treatment and research. He has applied to the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine to pursue a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree.
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