S GH’s Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology has introduced the use of the ViKY Uterus Positioner

robot (ViKY® UP), voice-controlled via a Bluetooth headset, in complex gynaecological surgeries.

In conventional robotic surgery, an assistant manually manoeuvres a uterine manipulator that goes into the uterine cavity. Fatigue and distraction can set in during a long surgery. The surgeon is positioned away from the bedside, at the surgical robot. This can hamper communication between the surgeon and the assisting junior doctor.

The new robot offers surgeons precision in positioning the uterus for best access during surgery. Using it simultaneously with minimally invasive robots such as da Vinci, the surgeon does not have to physically move around for visualisation or communicate with the assisting surgeon, thereby lowering the possibility of human error.

On 18 March, SGH Senior Consultant Dr Peter Barton Smith performed the first multi-robot assisted surgery in Asia with the use of both the da Vinci and ViKY® UP surgical robots on a patient suffering from severe endometriosis. SGH currently houses the only ViKY set-up in Singapore.

Dr Barton-Smith said, “Although it is early days yet and these are innovative procedures, we are reducing the risk of major complications to patients in complex benign surgery and that’s very important. Because if it is not a cancer that you are operating on, the last thing you want is to cause a long-term complication.”

“This allows junior doctors to be assigned more meaningful work, such as being involved in teaching and education, than sitting there holding a mechanism, which is pretty arduous,” he added.

The patient, 27-year-old Vargilia Welford, recovered within three weeks post-surgery, whereas normal recovery for conventional robotic surgery would have taken six weeks.

Benign or malignant? SINGHEALTH DUKE-NUS ACADEMIC MEDICAL CENTRE

THE voICE of ACADEMIC MEDICINE

MEDICINEToMoRRow’S

ISSUE 12, SEPTEMBER 2014MCI (P) 054/07/2014

ViKY, meet da Vinci

In diagnosing breast lumps, clinicians face the challenge of distinguishing benign tumours like fibroadenomas (pictured

above) from malignant ones.

By using advanced DNA sequencing technologies and analysing all the protein coding genes in a series of fibroadenomas from Singapore patients, a team from SGH, NCCS and Duke-NUS found recurrent mutations in MED12, a critical gene, in almost 60% of fibroadenoma cases.

This landmark discovery was achieved by a multi-institutional and multidisciplinary team led by Professors Teh Bin Tean, Patrick Tan, Tan Puay Hoon and Steve Rozen. The group started a study to find genetic abnormalities in fibroadenomas that may help differentiate them from other tumours.

Explained Professor Tan Puay Hoon, Head of SGH’s Department of Pathology and Chair of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Pathology Academic Clinical Program, “What this discovery means for patients is that the MED12 gene mutation can be used as an additional tool to help confirm a benign diagnosis of fibroadenoma especially in small tissue samples. This can relieve anxiety and avoid surgery for patients.”

Said Dr Benita Tan, Senior Consultant at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Breast Centre, “Fibroadenomas may commonly form lumps that are usually harmless. However, some with indeterminate clinical and radiological features need to be further studied to differentiate them from malignant tumours.”

By studying the gene, the team discovered that fibroadenomas grow differently from breast cancers, deepening the current understanding of how tumours develop.

The study also sheds light on the cause of uterine fibroids, another common benign tumour in women where similar MED12 mutations have been observed. The scientists are planning further studies to investigate the role of MED12 in other categories of breast tumours.

“We hope to produce a diagnostic gene test based on our research finding in two to three years’ time and find, in five to ten years’ time, a drug that targets the MED12 gene and resolves benign breast lumps,” added Prof Patrick Tan of the Duke-NUS Cancer & Stem Cell Biology Program.

Prof Teh Bin Tean of the same Duke-NUS Program who is also Director and Principal Investigator, Laboratory of Cancer Epigenome at NCCS, said, “Our group, who are members of the Breast Research Group at Outram (BRGO), leverages on the

diverse expertise of scientists and clinicians from fields such as molecular biology, bioinformatics, pathology, breast surgery and oncology. We have been able to work well based on mutual trust and a strong conviction that drives our common vision to focus on cancers prevalent in Asia.”

Said Dr Lim Weng Khong, a Research Fellow in NCCS, “The nature of the group’s research is such that a lot of coordination has to be done between different institutions and professions. In fact, it is quite an achievement that our 22 members could work so well yet informally in our team science collaboration.”

“Our team believes in the importance of focusing on cancers found in Asia that have not been studied widely. Hence, we work with other institutions in the region,” added Prof Rozen.

Other than being involved in the BRGO, Prof Teh, along with Duke-NUS’ Cancer & Stem Cell Biology Program’s Profs Patrick Tan and Steve Rozen have been making news with their prolific cancer research output. These include their discovery in 2013 of a potent carcinogen in herbal remedies and significant breakthroughs in understanding the cause and development of bile duct cancer. ProfTeh has also worked with other researchers to identify a new form of deadly lymphoma that is found mainly in Asia.

Results of the fibroadenoma study were published in Nature Genetics, August 2014.

The MED12 gene mutation can be

used as an additional tool to help confirm a benign diagnosis … This can relieve anxiety and avoid surgery for patients.

– Prof Tan Puay Hoon, Head, SGH Pathology

SingHealth and Duke-NUS clinicians and scientists identify gene mutation behind common breast tumours and hope to develop better diagnostic test

Voice-controlled device aids O&G surgeons in robotic surgery

Ms Vargilia Welford, pictured with Dr Peter Barton-Smith, is the first patient in Asia to find relief through multi-robotic surgery using ViKY® UP and da Vinci

In breast cancers, the genetic abnormalities arise from the epithelial cells (dark areas). The scientists showed that the pivotal MED12 mutations in fibroadenomas are found in the stromal cells (light areas)

Developing an Academic Medicine (AM) culture is one of SingHealth’s key priorities identified at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Strategy Retreat last year. But what exactly does an AM culture mean and what does it look like in action?

Nurses used to clip patients’ hair in the ward before an operation, but a study by my team when

I was a younger nurse found that doing it in the operating theatre instead lowered the infection rate. This shows the importance of having a questioning mind as a nurse.

Such improvements are vital to improving patient care and clinical processes, as well as the growth of the nursing profession. And they can only bloom when we have effective nursing leaders.

Our thriving academic environment and culture welcome nurses to practise evidence-based care, and a nursing leader will do well to combine good clinical experience with scientific curiosity to help improve the quality of patient care and clinical processes.

In fact, the Magnet® designation that SGH received in 2010 – the highest institutional honour for nursing excellence and leadership – requires nurses to be involved in clinical decisions with a leadership that encourages evidence-based practice. It is important for all levels of nurses to embrace this opportunity and always question existing practices with the intention of making improvements where possible.

An effective nursing leader gives other nurses a voice. He or she ensures they get what they need and they can develop their skills to the fullest in their continually expanding roles.

To do this, nursing leaders need to have the clinical experience to understand the demands on nurses and operations, for example, the daily challenges in a busy hospital setting. They also must be open to being questioned and must walk the talk.

Only when they have a good understanding of what is happening on the ground can they be effective voices for nurses and encourage learning in an academic environment.

Nursing leaders also need to be excellent communicators – if they are able to effect changes following staff feedback, they must make sure that these are conveyed to the staff to let them know that their voices matter.

Professor Margaret McClure, from New York University and author of the study that served as the basis for Magnet® designation spoke at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Scientific Congress on 6 September.

She said that Academic Medical Centres require leadership that is open to change and risk-taking and has a positive and encouraging attitude.

A young nurse aspiring to lead needs to be resourceful to play the several roles required in nursing, from being a patient advocate, counsellor, coordinator to medical professional. You need passion. You also need to identify your strengths and develop them to the best of your ability.

With all the attributes of good leadership in place in SingHealth, we have the ideal environment to develop great nursing leaders.

ToMorroW’S MeDIcINe - ISSUE 12, SEPTEMBER 2014PAGe 2

eDITorS-IN-chIefTan-Huang Shuo MeiAudrey Lau

eDITorSJennifer WeeArthur WongStephanie JadeRachel Kelly

JoINT eDITorIAl TeAMGoh Sai Luan (SGH) sub-editorIchha Oberoi (KKH) sub-editorEdwin Yong (NCCS) sub-editorCaroline Chia (NDCS)Jessica Koh (NHCS)Dr Thiyagarajan Jayabaskar (SNEC)Eric Lim Wei (SHP)Wee Lai Ming (Duke-NUS)

clINIcIAN ADVISorY PANelProf Robert KameiAssoc Prof Darren Koh Liang KhaiAssoc Prof Koo Wen HsinAssoc Prof Lo Yew LongAssoc Prof Nigel Tan Choon KiatProf Tan Kok HianProf Wong Tien Yin

DeSIGNRedstone Communications

coPYWrITINGHedgehog Communications

SEPTEMBER 2014

All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part is prohibited without the written permission of SingHealth and the publisher. The views and opinions expressed or implied in the publication are those of the authors or contributors and do not necessarily reflect those of SingHealth and the publisher. Whilst due care has been exercised, both SingHealth and the publisher do not accept responsibility for errors in advertisements or articles, unsolicited manuscripts, photographers or illustrations. Tomorrow’s Medicine reserves the right to edit all materials submitted for publication. While contributors will be given the opportunity to comment on articles for factual accuracy, this policy is about ensuring a consistent and clear writing style throughout.

Members of Singhealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical centre

Singapore General Hospital (SGH)KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH)

Sengkang Health (SKH)National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS)National Dental Centre Singapore (NDCS)National Heart Centre Singapore (NHCS)

National Neuroscience Institute (NNI)Singapore National Eye Centre (SNEC)

SingHealth Polyclinics (SHP)Bright Vision Hospital (BVH)

Partner in Academic MedicineDuke-NUS Graduate Medical School Singapore

(Duke-NUS)

Tomorrow’s Medicine welcomes comments from our readers. Write to us at

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Nursing leaders in an academic environment

Some of our recent breakthrough innovations that resulted in better outcomes for patients include:

• A method to slow down myopia progression in children by 60%

• Discovery of the genetic cause of common breast tumours in women

• Polyclinic nurses trained to diagnose bronchoconstriction in asthmatic patients, significantly improving rescue therapy rates

• A shoulder rehabilitation device to help patients regain upper limb function at home

Nurses are playing bigger roles in the healthcare landscape and we need good nursing leaders to help us excel. To groom them, SingHealth offers nurses more opportunities for advancing their roles, and sponsors them for higher education and training in specialised areas.

The recent announcement of the National Nursing Taskforce’s recommendations will further empower nurses to take on leadership positions – more development opportunities will be provided and the newly created role of Assistant Nurse Clinician will allow experienced nurses to take up clinical leadership roles. Equipped with the right skills, our nurses will make a great impact in improving care.

– Dr Tracy Carol Ayre, Group Director, Nursing

A culture that fosters inquiry and collaboration

For more information, email ivan.tan.e.h@singhealth.com.sg

Academic Medicine Planning

By Karen PereraAssistant Director, Nursing, SGH

Our thriving academic environment and

culture welcome nurses to practise evidence-based care.

3. A full-fledged AM culture means earning an international reputation for innovation and cutting edge research initiatives. Even though it may appear daunting and impossible, the courage to venture into the unknown and the dogged determination to press on deliver our best chances of success.

4. Reinforcing the AM culture are structures that foster a collaborative culture such as the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Clinical Programs and the SingHealth Duke-NUS Disease Centres.

All of the above will create a culture that we will co-create as one SingHealth family to guide us on our transformational journey.

1. An AM culture must reflect clinical excellence, innovation in science and medicine and world-class standards in education. Just as a point of comparison, established AM Centres like the Mayo Clinic published about 5,600 research publications in FY13, compared to SingHealth’s 970. Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (UK) managed 202 research patents three years into their AM journey. Over the equivalent period, we have achieved 162 research patents.

2. Our AM culture must stem from a mindset that is constantly questioning and seeking ways to advance medical knowledge and drive transformative innovation in healthcare delivery and systems, for the benefit of patients.

There is something I do not hear much about these days: the importance and power of experiencing your life’s work

as a calling. In terms of my own experience, I have been remarkably fortunate to have felt a calling to two careers in Medicine: first as a physician, later as a scientist.

As a youngster, one of my role models was my family physician who made house calls. From about the third grade on, I never had any doubt that I was destined to be a physician, just like him.

To me, becoming a member of the medical profession was something very special in that one was privy to very special knowledge and also bore unique responsibilities. I thoroughly enjoyed my four years in medical school, my years as a house officer at Columbia Presbyterian Hospital in New York, as a cardiology fellow at the Massachusetts General Hospital and as a young Professor of Medicine at Duke. These experiences felt perfectly right for me.

During the early years of my training I had never really considered that I might become a scientist. But a two-year experience at the National Institutes of Health in the late 1960’s began to change all that. After a very slow start, I began to show some promise at

the bench. But it would take another five to seven years before it would become clear to me that my primary mission, the focus of my life’s work, would lie in the laboratory rather than at the bedside.

I do not believe that for any individual there is necessarily only one possible best choice. One of the wonderful things about a career in Medicine and the other health professions, on which all of you now embark, is that the journey has so many possible itineraries and so many possible destinations.

I think that there are several important elements in this notion of a calling. First is the simple power of belief in what you are doing, and of its importance. This will empower you to achieve, perhaps, more than you had ever imagined possible. The second is the conviction that you were really meant to do this and that the work fully engages the best of your own innate talents and abilities. And the third is a sense of enthusiasm for and optimism about what you do. These latter elements are quite infectious.

If you are able to tap into this notion of a calling, you will be fortunate indeed. For it holds the key to a career characterised

by fulfillment, contentment and a sense of accomplishment. The simple secret is, you just have to believe in it.

Read the full speech onlinehttp://bit.ly/TMlefkowitz

The Academic Medicine Research Institute (AMRI) provides clinicians with opportunities to develop their

research skills and a strong support system to do so. One of them is through mentorship.

Professor Ecosse Lamoureux, Deputy Head, AMRI, answers questions about how AMRI can help researchers at every stage of their career through mentorship.

Who is a right mentor for a researcher?There are three types of mentors that a researcher who is just starting out needs:

A clinical mentor is an experienced clinician who can provide better understanding of the disease being studied and provides links to other clinicians in the department and elsewhere to help with study enrolment. AMRI works with Academic Clinical Programs (ACPs) to link up the researcher with the clinical mentor. A clinical mentor is always a good clinician, but not always a scientist because he or she may not have been trained as a researcher.

The mentee thus needs to seek a scientific mentor – usually a well-respected Principal Investigator who is experienced in paper publications, grant writing, mentoring fellows and has a good funding record. Someone who has been there, done that. AMRI has a pool of scientific mentors. A scientific mentor may not specialise in the disease being studied but helps craft a good grant proposal by fine-tuning the hypothesis, questions, methodology and its other elements. In short, grantsmanship. It is what makes a grant much more competitive.

Every researcher also needs a quantitative mentor. This is an experienced biostatistician who advises on the numbers, data analysis and statistical models to use for the research study.

Some of these mentors become long-term mentors who the young researcher looks up to for advice in his research area throughout his career progression. This is the best form of mentorship.

Who can find mentors through AMRI?Anyone who does clinically relevant research and would like to eventually apply for a national grant can find mentors through AMRI – residents, clinicians, scientists, nurses, AHPs. The magnitude of what a mentee needs varies depending on experience and level of grant application, but we help people at every stage of their research journey.

Someone with more research experience, say, a Clinician Scientist, may only need a quantitative mentor.

I asked Prof Wong Tien Yin (Group Director, Research) to help me with my grant proposals!

What is the process like?The typical journey starts when a young researcher approaches us to provide feedback on a research idea. AMRI then works with the ACPs to find mentors and ensure that the researcher has protected time for research. We will then facilitate discussions between the researcher and his/her mentor to generate a clear objective of the research project. This will then be presented at AMRI’s Research Round for feedback from more people. Then the process of developing the grant proposal starts.

The researcher may also consider joining a structured mentored program called the Khoo Scholar program, which includes e-learning and linking each scholar with a scientific, quantitative and clinical mentor. The mentors guide researchers over several

months through the project implementation phase where needed, until the grant application is submitted.

What is your best advice for those starting on a research project?Seek a mentor – someone who can set the bar higher, provide a different perspective and inspire you to go to a higher level. You can be hardworking, have good ideas and passionate but if you want to succeed, you need to look for a good mentor early.

Since 1 August, the editorial board of this monthly publication has had access to the wisdom of six clinician

leaders from various domains – research, care and education – in their newly-appointed role as members of the Tomorrow’s Medicine Clinician Advisory Panel. The Panel guides the cross-cluster editorial team in writing stories that are richer, more relevant and resonate better with the readers.

“I am really excited about being able to tap into this Panel for new perspectives and insights. We need the involvement of drivers of Academic Medicine to deepen and widen the news coverage that Tomorrow’s Medicine brings to our people.

“We want to ensure that our publication is relevant, and we are grateful to them for their willingness to be part of this work to shape the ‘Voice of Academic Medicine’,” said the paper’s co-Editor-in-Chief, Tan-Huang Shuo Mei.

The paper is the only SingHealth in-house publication that covers cluster-wide news, monthly. It is committed to bringing readers behind-the-scene stories of collaboration and successes, and most importantly, the spirit of inquiry, in improving patients’ lives.

PAGe 3ToMorroW’S MeDIcINe - ISSUE 12, SEPTEMBER 2014

clinician advisors to make Tomorrow’s Medicine better

Finding your calling in medicine and research

To find out more about how AMRI can help you with your research, email us at amri_info@duke-nus.edu.sg

Excerpt from Duke-NUS Graduation & Hooding Ceremony (Class of 2014) keynote speech by Prof Robert J Lefkowitz, 2012 Nobel Laureate in Chemistry

Start right with a research mentor

I do not believe that for any individual

there is necessarily only one possible best choice.

The magnitude of what a mentee

needs varies depending on experience and level of grant application.

– Prof Ecosse Lamoureux, Deputy Head, AMRI

Our clinician advisors

(2014-2016)Prof Robert Kamei

Vice Dean, Education, Duke-NUSCo-Group Director,

Academic Medicine Education Institute

Assoc Prof Darren Koh Liang KhaiSenior Consultant,

Department of Anaesthesiology, SGH

Assoc Prof Koo Wen HsinGroup Director, Education,

SingHealth Co-Group Director, Academic Medicine Education Institute

Assoc Prof Lo Yew LongChief Editor,

Proceedings of Singapore Healthcare Head, Neurology (SGH Campus), NNI

Assoc Prof Nigel Tan Choon KiatAcademic Vice Chair, Education,

Neuroscience ACP, Senior Consultant, Neurology and Education Director, NNI

Prof Tan Kok HianGroup Director, Academic Medicine, SingHealth Senior Associate Dean,

Academic Medicine, Duke-NUS

Prof Wong Tien YinGroup Director, Research,

SingHealth Vice Dean, Clinical Sciences, Duke-NUS

SingHealth Office of Research Grant Call Reminder

Grant Closing Date Grant Amount

SingHealth Foundation (SHF) Research Grant Call 2014

22 September 2014 (Monday), 5pm

Start-Up Grant - S$50,000 for a period of 2 yearsTransition Project Grant - S$150,000 for a period of 2 years.

Duke /Duke-NUS Research Collaborations Open throughout the year • USD$50K to USD $150K to Duke PI

• S$50K to S$150K to Duke-NUS PI

NMRC Clinical Trial Grant - Co-Development Scheme (Co-D) Open throughout the year <S$5M for a period of 3 years

MOH Industry Alignment Fund (IAF Cat 1) Open throughout the year <S$500K; <S$1M; <S$1.5M

(3 subcategories) for a period of 3 years

Khoo Mentored Research Award (KMRA) Open throughout the year <S$300K for a period of 2 years

Khoo Pilot Award Open throughout the year <S$30K for a period of 1 year

For more information on funding sources and support for research in SingHealth, visit http://research.singhealth.com.sg or email office.research@singhealth.com.sg

AM•EI EventsOpen to all SingHealth and Duke-NUS staff. For details and registration, contact the Academic Medicine Education Institute (AM•EI) at amei-info@duke-nus.edu.sg. For membership enquiries, email amei-members@duke-nus.edu.sg.

PROGRAMMES AT SGH CAMPUS

24 Sep, 2.00-5.00pm: Strategies to improve feedback

15 Oct, 9.00am-1.00pm: Becoming a leader in Academic Medicine – Honing and developing your skills

15 Oct, 2.00-5.00pm: Using logic model as a road map to your assessment strategies

21 Oct, 2.00-5.00pm: Be the master of your multiple choice questions

5 Nov, 2.00-5.00pm: Bedside teaching – Focus on micro-skills

PROGRAMMES AT KKH CAMPUS

28 Oct, 2.00-5.00pm: Designing effective objectives and quality multiple choice questions

11 Nov, 2.00-5.00pm: Enhancing and enriching learning through effective facilitation

held for the fourth consecutive year, the SingHealth Charity Golf tournament 2014 raised a record

amount of more than $420,000, thanks to the generous support of event partners and sponsors. Despite a slightly wet start due to a drizzle, the golfers’ spirits were not dampened as more than 140 of them teed off at the Tanjong Course at Sentosa Golf Club.

Mr Lim Boon Heng, Chairman of Temasek Holdings was Guest-of-Honour. The funds raised will support research and education initiatives under the Surgery, Medicine and Cardiovascular ACPs.

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Vital science: radiologyToMorroW’S MeDIcINe - ISSUE 12, SEPTEMBER 2014

The largest ACP to date to develop subspecialties and talents

Associate Professor Tan Bien Soo, Senior Consultant at SGH’s Diagnostic Radiology department,

has a challenge on his hands. He has just been appointed Academic Chair of the largest Academic Clinical Program (ACP) to date.

The Radiological Sciences (RADSC) ACP brings together six departments across five institutions, namely the radiology departments of SGH, KKH, NCCS, NHCS and NNI, as well as the Department of Nuclear Medicine and PET in SGH. This is the first time that an ACP has spanned such a large part of the SingHealth cluster.

To Prof Tan, the size and complexity of the ACP he heads is a blessing in disguise. “We will need support from everyone for our big new ACP to succeed. Our high patient volume can form a tremendous platform for research and education.”

Prof Tan further shared, “We have a leading role in the radiology field in Singapore, the region and internationally. Radiological sciences underpin all other research endeavours in an AMC as they support and complement the institutions. In fact, a lot of research now depends on assessment of suitability for treatment and the results of treatment. Radiological sciences has the specialties to assess these results in a non-invasive way.”

Launched in April 2014, RADSC ACP is the tenth ACP formed in SingHealth and Duke-NUS. It focuses on strengthening clinician-researcher roles by offering protected time to physicians interested in research, as well as establishing clinician educator positions.

“For clinical services, the RADSC ACP will be focusing on rolling out cluster-wide subspecialties to encourage our clinical staff to develop their strengths or chosen areas of

focus. In this way, we not only contribute to better clinical care to improve patients’ lives, we will be helping to grow our clinical talent.”

Talent management is an important focus for RADSC ACP. Given its large scope, RADSC ACP has the unique challenge of nurturing its talent across five institutions and six departments.

Academic Deputy Chair of the ACP, Adjunct Associate Professor Ong Chiou Li, who oversees innovation and strategy, said, “We will be focusing on how we can attract and retain talent in the ACP given the competition from the private sector and other clusters.”

A top priority is a mentorship programme to focus on innovation.

“We will be looking to overseas centres to explore the development of new technologies and solutions. Having a formal mentorship programme is important as it allows recognition of the mentors who contribute time and effort to guide young talent and, at the same time, ensure that talent can flourish,” shared Prof Ong.

Prof Ong, who is the Chairman of the Division of Clinical Support Services at KKH, added, “As our ACP brings together different institutions, we hope that our radiologists can spend time on other subspecialties that are not available in their current institution but which interest them.”

With focus areas in the RADSC ACP which are not part of the traditional departmental set up, Prof Tan, Prof Ong and other key leaders from Radiological Sciences ACP conducted a study trip from 6 to 17 August to glean insights from established radiological sciences-related academic programs in the US. The visit to University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, University of North Carolina and University of Virginia helped them identify strategic thrusts and areas for collaboration to strengthen the ACP’s plans for the next five years and beyond.

Golfers raise more than $420K for Surgery, cardiovascular and Medicine AcPs

Radiological sciences underpin all other research endeavours in an AMC as they support and

complement the institutions.

– Prof Tan Bien Soo, Academic Chair, SingHealth Duke-NUS Radiological Sciences ACP

The two crucial questions that the Case for Support (CFS) must answer are, “Why do you deserve my support?” and “What will my gift accomplish?” At the end of the day, donors want to be certain that your cause is where they want to invest their money because they can envision the impact.

A CFS sets out the cause of the fundraising effort and explains why it is important. Critically, it compels donors to support your cause, as there are hundreds of other competing causes.

A compelling CFS will:- clearly define the specific goals and

objectives of the projects that need donors’ support

- demonstrate and explain how the success of the projects will benefit patients

- outline why you are uniquely positioned to pursue these goals and use the funds effectively to ensure success.

Philanthropy 101

What is a case for Support?

*Photograph and video will be taken during this event