​The year-long programme is open to 12 participants, and only one of the 12 is chosen from outside the US.

This year Dr Rebecca Dent from NCCS was selected to be part of the 12 to participate in the presitigous American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Leadership Development Programme (LDP). She is the first in Singapore to do so. 

“I am very honoured to be accepted into the programme and represent NCCS and DUKE-NUS in a global leadership development programme.   I am most grateful as well to the support from all my colleagues at the National Cancer Centre Singapore," said the Senior Consultant Medical Oncologist.  

 Besides her clinical duties, Dr Dent is also an Associate Professor at Duke-NUS Graduate Medical School and Head of Breast Cancer Research at SingHealth Duke-NUS, as well as the Breast Medical Oncology Team at NCCS. 

Her primary research interest is in the field of breast cancer, with a focus on locally advanced breast cancer and triple negative/basal-like breast cancers.

The NCCS Medical Oncologist is Singapore's first to be selected for the prestigious Leadership Development Programme. 

The LDP provides practicing oncologists with leadership training skills, networking opportunities and mentorship from ASCO leaders.   Dr Dent will also have the opportunity to gain exposure to various government agencies through interactive sessions.

“We are very proud of Dr Dent as only one other medical oncologist in Asia has had the privilege to participate in this programme.   Her participation in the programme will put Singapore on the world map as a leader in oncology. This is a testimony of the high standards of our doctors in their work,” said Professor Soo Khee Chee, Director, NCCS. 

The ASCO Leadership Development Programme has had 60 participants to date since 2010.   This will be the LDP’s sixth intake of participants.   Dr Dent who is originally from Canada has been working at NCCS since February 2011 and has recently became a Permanent Resident of Singapore. She will begin the LDP in May this year.