Academic Chair Transition in SURG ACP

We are pleased to welcome Clinical Associate Professor Toh Song Tar as the newly appointed Academic Chair, SingHealth Duke-NUS Surgery ACP and Chairman, Division of Surgery & Surgical Oncology, SGH & NCCS with effect from 1 September 2026.

A prominent academic surgeon and leader in Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, Clinical Associate Professor Toh Song Tar is internationally recognised for his expertise in neuromodulation and transoral robotic surgery in the surgical management of obstructive sleep apnea. He has made significant contributions to advancing innovative surgical care, leading first-in-human clinical trials, and translating scientific discoveries into improved patient outcomes. He has authored numerous papers and book chapters, and mentored students whose research have received recognition at local and international conferences.

As Head of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, SGH from 2019 to 2025, he built a strong academic clinical department led the development of its subspecialties, strengthened research output, grant success, and faculty involvement in education. As Head of the SingHealth Duke-NUS Sleep Centre from 2016 to 2023, he fostered collaborative multidisciplinary cluster-wide sleep specialty development. Since 2014, he has chaired the Programme Evaluation Committee for SingHealth ENT residency, helping shape the training of future ENT specialists.

Beyond SingHealth, Clinical Associate Professor Toh has held numerous national leadership roles in specialist training, professional societies and residency education, including as President of the Society of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Singapore and Vice-Chairman, Chapter of Otolaryngologists, College of Surgeons Singapore. He currently serves as the Chairman and Chief Examiner of the JCST ENT Exit Committee, where he is leading a revamp of the national residency assessment, reflecting his longstanding commitment to developing the next generation of surgeons.

In his new role as Academic Chair, Surgery ACP, Clinical Associate Professor Toh will lead Surgery ACP into its next phase of growth by strengthening academic excellence and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration across the AMC.