8 May 2001

Professor Walter Tan, one of Singapore's top plastic surgeons, has joined Raffles Hospital as its Medical Director and Consultant Surgeon.

Prof Tan was previously Chief of Surgery at National University Hospital where he held concurrent positions as Professor of Surgery, Head of the Department of Surgery and the Division of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, and Vice Chairman of the NUH Medical Board. He was also the Chief Examiner in Surgery of both the Medical and Dental Faculties of the National University of Singapore.

A highly respected surgeon among his peers, Prof Tan is the current Master of the Academy of Medicine. He is also President of the Singapore Society for Laser Surgery and Medicine, and Singapore's National Representative at the International Confederation for Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery.

Executive Chairman Dr Loo Choon Yong expressed a hearty welcome to Prof Tan, saying: "I am very excited to have someone of Prof Tan's stature at the helm of our growing group of staff and visiting specialist consultants. He brings with him a wealth of experience and will be instrumental in realising our vision of Raffles Hospital as a centre for medical excellence.

"Prof Tan will manage and develop our clinical specialties and sub-specialties. With his background and interest in rigorous medical research, he will play a key role in pushing our medical services to the forefront and establishing a culture of medical research, training and development."

Prof Tan has undertaken many research projects in his field of expertise. His impressive body of research papers is extensively published in regional and international journals. Prof Tan's special interest is in breast surgery, in particular surgical oncology and reconstructive breast surgery.

On his joining Raffles Hospital, Prof Tan said: "I am particularly keen to develop Raffles Hospital as a premier centre for medical research and training in the region. The affiliation with Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer of New York and other leading medical centres will help us continually bring excellent quality care to our patients."

Raffles Hospital is modelled after the group practice model exemplified by world-renowned US centres of medical excellence such as the Mayo Clinic in the US where staff and visiting specialists pool their knowledge, skills and expertise to meet the medical needs of their patients.

Raffles Hospital opened on 31 March 2001 and was the first major private hospital to make its debut in Singapore in the last ten years. The 380-bed hospital houses state-of-the-art medical systems and facilities, and provides a comprehensive range of specialist medical services.

Prof Tan will continue to serve public institutions as adjunct Professor of Surgery at the National University of Singapore as well as Visiting Consultant to National University Hospital, Singapore General Hospital, Changi General Hospital and Kandang Kerbau Women and Children's Hospital.

For clarification, please contact:

Ng Siao Sze (Ms)
Corporate Communications Manager
DID: 6311 1312
Fax: 6311 2378