‘May my practice be defined by love’: Megan Ling’s Pursuit of Purpose
Published: 03 Jul 2025
A final-year student at the NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine), Megan Ling personifies a new generation of healthcare professionals – one where logic meets passion and science embraces art. Her journey balancing ballet with medical studies illustrates how passions beyond academics complement the practice of holistic and humanistic medicine.
The Unexpected Path to Medicine
Megan’s journey to medicine was anything but conventional. “Some people feel like they were born to do medicine, but I didn’t feel like that,” she admits. Unlike many of her peers, she didn’t grow up dreaming of becoming a doctor.
The turning point came during the eight-month gap after completing her IB diploma when she chanced upon a full-time position as a clinic assistant under Dr. Irene Chua, an obstetrician and gynaecologist who became her mentor.
“As a clinic assistant, you support the doctor and clinic in every way possible,” she explains. “It’s certainly not glamorous work. But I decided that if I found satisfaction in these fundamental aspects of patient care and enjoy being part of a healthcare team, then perhaps medicine was truly my calling.” This early exposure to healthcare’s realities provided Megan with an authentic foundation for her medical career, one rooted in service rather than idealised notions of the profession.
Where Two Passions Meet
A Gold Medal recipient in the 2021 World Ballet Grand Prix, Megan sees meaningful connections between her two passions. “I was not born with the most ideal physical facilities for ballet, so technique and flexibility never came easy to me,” she shared. To keep up with her competitors, Megan learned to home in on every detail, and strived to take away one learning point every time she danced. She now applies this to her daily work in the hospitals. “My approach to medicine is a patchwork of my mentors, who have each given a piece of themselves, guiding me in a labour of love.” Ballet has also cultivated her adaptability in unpredictable situations. “I’ve learned how to act on my feet, keep on my toes,” she quips with a ballet pun. The capacity to maintain balance while facing uncertainty has become fundamental to her approach in both the operating theatre and on stage.
Challenging Misconceptions in Women’s Health
Megan’s advocacy work through “The Girl Talk Podcast” aims to address misconceptions in women’s health with accurate, accessible information.
“What happens often in my observation of women and women’s health is the assignment of self-blame,” Megan explains. “When a woman experiences a miscarriage, the first question often asked is ‘What’s wrong with me’; And somehow everyone around her then asks the same question: ‘What did we do wrong?’”
Megan highlights the stark contrast with other health conditions: “When someone is diagnosed with brain cancer, no one immediately questions what is intrinsically ‘wrong’ with them. Yet in women’s health, this blame is pervasive and harmful.”
Her goal is to shift the conversation away from blame and towards solutions. “While answers can offer closure, I hope to empower women by replacing negative self-thought with accessible and scientifically reliable explanations.”
Through her podcast, which features interviews with content experts, Megan works to provide health information that empowers women with knowledge about their bodies. Her commitment to evidence-based education demonstrates how health literacy can transform healthcare experiences, fostering an environment where women feel informed and supported when navigating health challenges and new experiences.
Finding Balance Through Seasons
When asked how she balances her numerous commitments, Megan offers insight that belies her years. “Finding fulfilment in the process rather than being fixated on outcomes has been key for me,” she explains. “When you fall in love with the work, the results become secondary.”
Rather than aiming for perfect equilibrium, Megan embraces the concept of “seasons” in life. This approach allows her to prioritise different commitments as needed – focusing on studies during exam periods, ballet during competition season and of course, rest and leisure in between.
Her philosophy of embracing life’s natural rhythms rather than enforcing a rigid schedule has allowed Megan to pursue multiple passions without burnout – a valuable lesson for anyone juggling diverse interests.
The Next Act
As she completes her final year of medical school, Megan envisions caring for others with purpose and compassion. “May my practice be defined by love, because I do what I love, and love what I do,” she shares.
When asked what advice she would offer to those aspiring to study medicine, Megan doesn’t hesitate: “Be bold, be fearless, dream big, do not fear yourself or failure, and chase discomfort.”
Through her multi-faceted journey, Megan Ling represents a holistic approach to medicine that combines technical excellence with artistic sensitivity and advocacy. Her story demonstrates that medical excellence is not defined by academic achievement alone. Rather, one’s personal experiences and interests will eventually lead them to dedicate their whole selves to the healing profession – to treat sometimes, relieve often, and comfort always.
