Running for research and education: ObGyn marathoners to raise funds and awareness for women’s health
Published: 19 Nov 2025
(From left to right) Assoc Prof Matt Kemp, Dr Abhiram Kanneganti, Dr Johnson Koh and Dr Arun B. are running to raise funds for research and education, and raise awareness of women’s health and pregnancy health, in conjunction with NUS Medicine’s 120th anniversary
To raise funds and awareness for women’s health, particularly during and around pregnancy, a team of four marathoners from the Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at NUS Medicine are taking on races at the Standard Chartered Singapore Marathon between 6 to 7 December this year.
Contributions to their efforts will go to the Inspire120 Fund, which supports pioneering research and medical education, created in conjunction with NUS Medicine’s 120th anniversary in 2025.
The ‘OVA-Achievers’, as they are known, comprise half-marathon runners Dr Abhiram Kanneganti, Dr Arun B. and Dr Johnson Koh, as well as marathoner Assoc Prof Matt Kemp. Their name is a nod to women’s reproductive health, in ova or eggs, a foundational element of female reproductive health, and an allusion to the team’s commitment to go the extra mile for patients.
“The OVA-Achievers bring together frontline clinicians, researchers and clinician-scientists from NUS Medicine’s Department of Obstetrics & Gynaecology, reflecting our integrated approach to care, research, and education,” said Assoc Prof Kemp.
“We chose to run as running promotes cardiovascular, metabolic, and mental health; all of which are relevant in pregnancy and women’s health. It is also symbolic in that endurance and teamwork mirror the journey many women and families take through pregnancy and beyond.”
Besides raising funds through their networks, the runners are reaching out to staff and students on pregnancy health standards via lectures and workshops. The team hopes to educate more people on how to optimise health before pregnancy or preconception care, early antenatal screening and ultrasound to support informed decision-making, the prevention and management of gestational diabetes mellitus and hypertensive disorders, preterm birth prevention and care, maternal mental health, and other health concerns such as HPV screening, menopause care, pelvic floor health and contraception.
Prof Mahesh Choolani, Head, Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, noted that going the extra mile for patient care was a core part of the Department’s operating ethos. He said, “We have developed a high-performance organisation wherein patient care sits at the heart of everything we do. The OVA-Achiever’s run is an outstanding example of how our senior clinicians, junior doctors, and researchers come together day in and day out to make a positive impact for our patients”.
Click here to help the team’s fundraising efforts.
