East Meets West: The Science and Wisdom of Wellness and Longevity
31 August @ 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is one of the world’s oldest systems of healthcare, with a history spanning thousands of years. Rather than focusing solely on symptoms or disease, TCM views health as a state of balance and harmony within the body and between the individual and their environment.
Join us for an engaging and insightful conversation with seasoned Singaporean practitioner Dr. Zhang Lei and the Harvard Club of Singapore’s own Peter Lam as we explore how Traditional Chinese Medicine and Western Medicine approach health and longevity from very different yet complementary perspectives.
Topics include:
1. Understanding the Foundations of TCM
- The core concepts of Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang
- How TCM views health, disease, and aging
- Why prevention and balance are central to the TCM philosophy
2. East Meets West
- How TCM and Western Medicine assess health and diagnose imbalances differently
- The TCM concept of the kidneys as the foundation of vitality and healthy aging
- Why digestive health is considered by TCM to be the cornerstone of long-term wellness
- How to leverage the strengths of Eastern and Western approaches and what are the practical strategies
Come with any specific questions and join us for a thought-provoking discussion on achieving optimal health with the best of both worlds.
Dr. Zhang Lei
Dr. Zhang Lei is a senior Singaporean physician with over 30 years of clinical experience, specializing in integrative oncology and complex chronic conditions. Dual-trained in Western Medicine and Traditional Chinese Medicine, he combines both systems to deliver evidence-informed, patient-centered care supporting patients through chemotherapy, radiotherapy, immunotherapy, and long-term chronic disease management.
He holds a degree in Western Medicine from Tianjin Medical University and a Master’s degree from NUS Medical School. He worked as a clinical researcher in oncology at Singapore General Hospital focusing on cancer treatment and molecular gene research, and led acupuncture clinical research for Singapore’s first government-established acupuncture institute, the Acupuncture Research Clinic, the first pilot clinic at Ang Mo Kio Community Hospital set up by MOH in 1995 to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture. He was featured in the inaugural Singapore Book of Records as the only physician in Singapore holding both an NUS medical Master’s degree and a dual Chinese-Western Medicine qualification.
Peter Lam
Peter Lam is a PhD candidate in Biological Sciences at Nanyang Technology University, holds a Master’s degree from Harvard’s School of Public Health, and is a Member of the Harvard Club of Singapore. He is trained in Traditional Chinese Medicine, giving him a unique background that bridges TCM and biomedical science. His doctoral research focuses on gut health. He is currently leading a clinical trial on acupuncture for the constipation type of irritable bowel syndrome, has published his work in international journals, and serves as a reviewer for peer-reviewed medical journals.
When: Monday, August 31 2026, 6:30 pm – 8:30 pm
Where: Herbal Abode TCM Clinic 草本雅舍 7 Fraser St, Duo Galleria, Singapore 189356
A light meal accompanied by Chinese tea will be provided during the event. Kindly indicate your preferred meal option: Chicken or Vegetarian. Register by Monday, August 24 2026.
Member’s price is subsidised. To access the member only price, join us as a member today.
Please make sure that you purchase only those tickets for which you are eligible. Guests must make sure that they are accompanied by a qualified Harvard alumnus. Please take note that Harvard alumni status is determined by the Harvard Alumni Association (HAA) and only those whose names are set out in the HAA online directory can be verified by the Club.
Ticket price paid by ineligible buyers will not be refunded.