At 70, Toh Hong Keng defied expectations by earning a medical degree from Southwestern University PHINMA in Cebu, Philippines, in July 2024, making him one of the world’s oldest medical graduates.
After retiring from a successful career in tech sales, Toh decided to challenge himself with a new goal—medical school. Inspired by meeting two young medical students during a vacation in Kyrgyzstan in 2018, he applied to universities across Asia. Many rejected him due to age limits, but Southwestern University PHINMA welcomed him without restrictions.
His journey wasn’t easy, as he faced the challenges of aging, including declining memory, eyesight, hearing, and energy. Toh persevered through long hours of studying anatomy, using flashcards, and enduring hospital shifts lasting up to 30 hours. He even repeated a year after failing a pediatrics exam but remained determined, and supported by his family and younger classmates.
Toh often questioned his decision but was encouraged to keep going. His mantra became, “It would be a shame to quit now.” Although Toh has earned his degree, he has yet to decide if he will complete the internship and exams required to become a practicing doctor. For now, he plans to work as a consultant for a friend’s allergy and immunology diagnostics company in Hong Kong.
Toh’s accomplishment serves as a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to pursue a dream. He hopes to give back by creating a scholarship fund to support medical students from developing countries who face financial challenges.
“If you dream of becoming a doctor, you can still do it at any age,” Toh said, inspiring both his peers and future generations. His journey is not just a personal triumph but a testament to lifelong learning and the pursuit of purpose at any stage of life.
