While Singaporeans gathered at the Padang to celebrate the nation’s Independence Day this year, a team from the National University Hospital (NUH) was on duty to attend to medical contingencies. As part of their preparation for potential emergencies on 9 August, the NUH team engaged in intensive pre-event planning which included conducting a Medical Contingency Exercise on site to work through a range of emergency scenarios. Although the day unfolded without any medical incidents, Dr Keith Ho, an alumnus of NUS Medicine who was on duty that day alongside fellow NUS Medicine alumnus, Dr Ian Mathews, expressed pride in being able to be part of the celebrations in a meaningful way: “It is a privilege to provide medical coverage for the National Day Parade. I am proud to be one of many Singaporeans playing a part in Singapore’s birthday celebrations.”