Singapore Honors Three Nurse Leaders with President’s Award for Nursing Excellence
Singapore recognized three exceptional nurses – Clarice Wee, Cindy Chua, and Yvonne Yap – with the prestigious President’s Award for Nurses on July 25, the nation’s highest accolade for the profession. The award, presented by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at a ceremony held at Gardens by the Bay, celebrates sustained outstanding performance and dedication to patient care, education, research, and administration within the healthcare sector.
Diverse Paths to a Shared Calling
The three honorees represent a spectrum of journeys into the nursing profession. Clarice Wee, 39, Assistant Director of Nursing at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), pursued her childhood ambition despite initial parental reservations. Cindy Chua, 47, also an Assistant Director of Nursing at the National University Hospital (NUH), discovered her calling after leaving junior college, while Yvonne Yap, 37, Deputy Director of Nursing at Khoo Teck Puat Hospital (KTPH), was inspired by her mother’s commitment to community service.
From Childhood Dream to Leadership: Clarice Wee’s Journey
Ms. Wee’s dedication to nursing began at the age of seven. Despite her parents’ preference for careers in banking and finance, she remained steadfast in her ambition. “They did not want me to suffer the long nights and the hard work as a nurse,” Ms. Wee explained to The Straits Times. Her parents proposed a compromise: completion of junior college followed by a nursing degree from a top Australian university. Ms. Wee fulfilled the conditions, graduating with a Bachelor of Nursing degree from La Trobe University in Melbourne in 2006, ultimately earning her parents’ support. “They actually said it was good to have a nurse in the family,” she recalled.
Ms. Wee distinguished herself as the first Advanced Practice Nurse (APN) at NTFGH, spearheading the development of the APN role. An APN is a Registered Nurse with advanced clinical expertise, capable of diagnosing and managing common medical conditions, including chronic illnesses. She also demonstrated critical leadership during the Covid-19 pandemic, leading the emergency department’s nursing team.
An Unexpected Calling: Cindy Chua’s Path to Intensive Care
Ms. Chua’s route to nursing was less conventional. After leaving junior college after one year, she and a friend pursued a diploma in nursing at Nanyang Polytechnic (NYP), graduating in 1998. Initially assigned to the intensive care unit, she found the work “daunting because of the many unknowns,” but quickly adapted, embracing the challenges and opportunities for learning.
As an APN, Ms. Chua pioneered respiratory care nursing as a specialized field and trained over 60 nurses in this area. She also championed the implementation of innovative technologies in the ICU, such as the bi-directional smart pump, a system that integrates medication orders with electronic health records.
Inspired by Resilience: Yvonne Yap’s Commitment to Patient Wellbeing
Ms. Yap’s passion for nursing stemmed from witnessing her mother’s dedication to community volunteering after the loss of her father at a young age. “My father died when I was only nine and my mother single-handedly brought me up. I went everywhere with her as she volunteered with the community. That was when my love for people started,” she shared. Inspired by her mother and supported by her aunt and cousin, both nurses, Ms. Yap pursued her nursing studies at NYP.
At KTPH, Ms. Yap prioritized staff wellbeing, successfully advocating for the elimination of challenging four-day continuous shifts. She also extended her influence beyond the hospital, contributing to the development of community healthcare initiatives. “I’m very humbled by this award as I believe I could not have done it on my own,” she stated. “This award is also very special as KTPH celebrates its 15th anniversary this year.”
A Legacy of Excellence
Launched in 2000, the President’s Award for Nurses has recognized 101 outstanding nurses and midwives from across Singapore’s healthcare landscape. The award process involves nominations from institutions and peers, followed by rigorous panel interviews. Ms. Chua likened receiving the award to “getting the Miss Universe title,” emphasizing the accompanying responsibility to serve as a role model for future generations of nurses.
