OUR PEOPLE

Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our staff have remained the backbone of the care delivery system for our patients, population, and the nation. The NHG Family rallied together to overcome many challenges, encouraging each other and staying connected virtually.

SYNERGISING NETWORKS

In June 2020, the ‘Leaders Network’ (LN), a group-level engagement platform, was conducted virtually, bringing together eight cohorts of NHG Healthcare Leadership College (HLC) programme participants to build relationships, and foster greater learning and collaboration amid challenging times. NHG senior management also shared their personal leadership journeys and insights during these sessions. The LN will be expanded to more NHG leaders as the organisation advances its care transformation efforts.

COLLECTIVE LEADERSHIP IN BATTLING A PANDEMIC

In 2020, NHG turned 20. Instead of celebrations, we were called upon by the nation to respond to the biggest health crisis in a century. And we rose to the challenge. Since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Singapore on 23 January 2020, staff across the NHG Family have been working tirelessly to battle the pandemic. In a video produced by Group Corporate Communications, titled Collective Leadership in Battling a Pandemic: The NHG Story, Leadership across NHG and our Institutions shared the challenges, strategies, and lessons learned in the fight against COVID-19. They also saluted all the frontliners who went beyond their call of duty to help contain the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic in Singapore.

HEROES OF OUR TIME ART EXHIBITION: A TRIBUTE TO FRONTLINERS

In March 2021, the Heroes Of Our Time art exhibition, co-organised by NHG and the Singapore Art Society (SAS) officially opened with Senior Minister of State for Communications and Information, and Health Dr Janil Puthucheary gracing the event as Guest-of-Honour.

The exhibition held at ION Art Gallery featured more than 200 artworks that paid tribute to healthcare and essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The 1.8m (H) x 3m (L) central artwork, titled Heroes of Our Time features images of Singapore’s battle against COVID-19. The acrylic painting was created by 18 artists from SAS. It was presented to the National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), which has been at the forefront of Singapore’s efforts to manage the pandemic. The exhibition was organised in partnership with HealthServe, a non-profit organisation that seeks to improve the well-being of migrant workers, and Asian Scientist Magazine, which staged the “Celebrating our Healthcare Heroes” national art competition. The art event was supported by Temasek Trust’s oscar@sg fund, Pfizer Singapore, and ION Orchard. It attracted more than 1,200 visitors, including art competition participants and their family members; Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and his wife Ms Ho Ching; as well as NHG senior management and staff.

COMING TOGETHER

In January 2021, Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) and NCID held a Stronger Together, Better Together — Staff Appreciation event to commemorate the first year of COVID-19 response. Guest-of-Honour Madam Kay Kuok, then Chairman of NHG, visited the Art and Photography Exhibition at the TTSH Atrium, and unveiled five sculptures by artist Victor Tan dedicated to TTSH and NCID staff. The sculptures depict various healthcare professional groups and community partners Coming Together as one in our fight against COVID-19. Thousands of wires weaved together make up the sculptures — symbolising Unity, Strength, and Resilience.

ENHANCING STAFF WELL-BEING

To engage staff and boost employee resilience, and promote Joy in Work, the NHG Staff Well-Being Committee (NHG-SWC) introduced a Co-Funding Scheme for Staff Mental Well-Being in FY2020. It supported the scale-up of mental health initiatives in response to the pandemic.

New workplace health initiatives under NHG’s Zest For Life framework continued to be rolled out to improve employees’ physical, emotional, and psychosocial well-being. In October 2020, the inaugural virtual Mental Wellness Campaign themed “Are You Okay?” was launched in NHG HQ.

TORCH OF HOPE

The “Torch of Hope” music video was composed by Group Corporate Communications with national singers to galvanise all healthcare workers in our fight against COVID-19. It rallied us all to help one another through the pandemic, and emerge even stronger to add years of healthy life. TOGETHER, WE SHALL OVERCOME!

NATIONAL MEDICAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS 2020

Two individuals from the NHG Family were honoured at the National Medical Excellence Awards (NMEA) 2020. The award recognises efforts of outstanding clinicians, clinician-scientists, and other healthcare professions for contributing towards care quality, patient safety, research, education, and training.

Associate Professor Sum Chee Fang, Senior Consultant, Division of Endocrinology, KTPH, and Senior Consultant, Diabetes Centre, Admiralty Medical Centre, was bestowed the National Outstanding Clinician Award. He was acknowledged for his exemplary contributions and unwavering commitment to developing and advancing diabetes and endocrinology care.

Associate Professor Nicholas Chew, then NHG Group Chief Education Officer, and Chairman Medical Board, Woodlands Health (WH), received the National Outstanding Clinician Educator Award. A/Prof Chew was lauded for his dedication and contributions in advancing graduate medical education.

HEALTHCARE HUMANITY AWARDS 2020

Ninety-five individuals were honoured at the 17th Healthcare Humanity Awards (HHA) 2020. Associate Professor Lim Poh Lian, Director, National Centre for Infectious Diseases (NCID), was named one of the eight ‘Honourable Mention’ winners. The event was graced by President Halimah Yacob.

TWO NHG NURSES RECEIVE PRESIDENT’S AWARD FOR NURSES 2021

Ms Lim Voon Hooi, Chief Nurse, National Healthcare Group Polyclinics (NHGP), and Mr Christopher Soh, Assistant Director of Nursing, Emergency Department (ED), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), were two of seven nurses presented the President’s Award for Nurses 2021, the highest accolade in Singapore’s nursing profession. The winners received their awards from President Halimah Yacob at a virtual ceremony on 14 July.

APEX 2021 AWARDS

NHG and Institutions clinched seven awards across multiple categories at the APEX 2021, an annual US-based competition which recognises excellence in publishing. This year, APEX 2021 received some 1,200 entries from professional communicators worldwide.

Lifewise, Transforming Primary Care, and Together@NHG serve as channels to educate our population on health matters, including innovation, collaboration and news in our Institutions. The publications inspire readers to LIVE WELL and STAY WELL by featuring newsy reads on medical breakthroughs, health, fitness and wellness, and providing insights into NHG’s vision of Adding Years of Healthy Life .

The NHG Family won the following APEX 2021 awards:
  • Grand Award for NHG’s Lifewise publication in the “Magazines, Journals & Tabloids” category;
  • Grand Award for Together@NHG (23 Oct 2020) in the “Newsletters” category;
  • Grand Award for NHGP’s Efforts during the COVID -19 Pandemic (Facebook) in the “COVID -19 Media” category;
  • Award of Excellence for NHG’s Lifewise Jul-Sep 2020 Issue 85 (Together We Shall Overcome COVID -19) ‘All Hands on Deck’ article in the “COVID -19 Media – Newspaper/Magazine Articles” category;
  • Award of Excellence for NHG’s Lifewise Jul-Sep 2020 Issue 85 (Together We Shall Overcome COVID -19); Lifewise Oct-Dec 2020 Issue 86 (Surviving the Circuit Breaker); Lifewise Jan-Mar 2021 Issue 87 (Honouring Kay Kuok) in the “Magazines, Journals & Tabloids – Magazine Series” category;
  • Award of Excellence for NHGP’s Transforming Primary Care Issue 10 (Tele-Health Services: Virtual Platforms, Real Outcomes) in the “Newsletters – Writing” category;
  • Award of Excellence for NHGP’s Transforming Primary Care Issue 9 (Combatting COVID -19: The United Fight) in the “Newsletters – Design & Layout) (entire issue)” category.