Singapore, 4 July 2008 -- Madam Lim Swee Hia, Director of Nursing of Outram Campus, SingHealth – the largest healthcare group in Singapore – has recently been recognised by one of Australia’s leading Universities, Curtin University of Technology, and appointed Adjunct Associate Professor to their School of Nursing and Midwifery.
Madam Lim has enjoyed a distinguished career in nursing spanning 40 years, and is looking forward to building relationships with her nursing counterparts in Australia to advance positive changes internationally for the nursing profession.
“I am honoured and humbled by this recognition from Curtin. This strengthens the partnership between Singapore and Australia’s healthcare industry. I hope our nurses will be inspired to do more to develop patient care and further their vocation,” said Madam Lim.
Through her many portfolios, Madam Lim has spearheaded various initiatives in transforming the nursing career in Singapore. This includes initiatives that have improved the recruitment and retention of nurses at the national level in Singapore. Madam Lim has also overseen the growth of the SingHealth Alice Lee Institute of Advanced Nursing, which offers nursing specialisation programmes and practice-based training for nurses in Singapore and the region, equipping them with valuable skills required for their expanded role in patient care. In 2007, it earned the distinction for being the first institute in Asia and the third outside the United States to be accredited by the American Nurses Credentialing Centre as a Continuing Nursing Education Provider.
One of Madam Lim’s major achievements was her leadership in nursing in the Singapore General Hospital (SGH), which was instrumental in helping the hospital achieve the Joint Commission International (JCI) Accreditation in 2005. SGH is the largest teaching hospital in Asia to be accorded such recognition.
“Swee Hia's passion for nursing and relentless pursuit in advancing the profession over the years have won her several national awards. She has inspired many in SingHealth to follow her footsteps. We are proud of her contributions to SingHealth and Singapore's nursing profession. Her appointment as Adjunct Associate Professor by Curtin University of Technology is a timely affirmation of her outstanding achievements and contributions.” said Professor Tan Ser Kiat, Group Chief Executive Officer, SingHealth.
Professor Phillip Della, Head of the School of Nursing and Midwifery at Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia, said Madam Lim has had a long affiliation with the School of Nursing and Midwifery, and she would be the first international adjunct professor to be appointed for the School. “The appointment of Madam Lim underpins our commitment to international collaboration in teaching, learning and research, and is part of a strategic approach to internalisation in the University,” said Professor Della.
The appointment of Madam Lim as Adjunct Associate Professor took effect from 1 July 2008 and will be formalised during a ceremony to be held in October in Singapore.
Please refer to the Annex for the bio-data of Madam Lim Swee Hia.
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Annex
Madam Lim Swee Hia
Nursing Director, Outram Campus, SingHealth
Director, Nursing, Singapore General Hospital (SGH)
Director, Nursing, National Heart Centre Singapore (NHC)
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护士总监，欧南园区，新加坡保健服务集团
Mdm Lim is the Nursing Director, Outram Campus of Singapore Health Service (SingHealth). She is concurrently the Director, Nursing for Singapore General Hospital and National Heart Centre Singapore.
Under her leadership, Mdm Lim synergised and integrated nursing professional roles, thus enhancing operational efficiency and effectiveness within SingHealth. She has spearheaded the Skills Training Employability Enhancement for Retrenched and Unemployed Workers (STEER) and Return-To-Nursing Training Programme for Registered and Enrolled Nurses (RTN). These programmes help retrenched/unemployed individuals and non-practising nurses to gain employment opportunities in the healthcare workforce. She also initiated work redesign projects, which aim to expand and raise the professionalism of nursing jobs, as well as increase staff retention and jobs satisfaction.
Mdm Lim actively shares and contributes her nursing experience and expertise in many healthcare committees and education organisations. She is a member of the Singapore Nursing Board, Advanced Practice Nurse Development Committee and the Joint Commission International Accreditation (JCIA) Taskforce of SGH and NHC.
She has also previously served as a member of Ministry of Health (Singapore)’s National Medical Ethics Committee, Courage Fund Bursary Awards for Nurses & Allied Healthcare Committee, Health Career Committee, National Ethics Committee and the Rapid Testing Team.
Her passion for nursing education led her to serve as an advisory member for the School of Health Sciences Nursing (Nanyang Polytechnic), and Health Sciences Advisory Committee (Ngee Ann Polytechnic). Above all, Mdm Lim contributes greatly to the community as a member of the Healthcare Industry Skills & Training Committee (Workforce Development Authority), and Skills Redevelopment Steering Committee (National Trades Union Congress).
In recognition of her exceptional leadership and significant contribution to the nursing profession and community, she was conferred the 2002 President’s Award for Nurses, Excellent Service Super Star Award by Spring Singapore, SARS Commendation Medal, Commendation Medal for the National Day Award and MOH Merit Award. On 1 July 20008, Mdm Lim was appointed Adjunct Associate Professor, School of Nursing and Midwifery by Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia, which expands her healthcare networks with international bodies to contribute towards the nursing community in Singapore.
For media enqueries, please contact:
Singapore
Janet Low
Corporate Communications
Singapore Health Services (SingHealth)
DID: +65 6557 4949
Email: janet.low.t.l@singhealth.com.sg
Australia
Ann Marie Lim
Public Relations
Curtin University of Technology
DID: +618 9266 4241
Email: ann.lim@curtin.edu.au
About Singapore Health Services (SingHealth)
SingHealth is the largest healthcare group in Singapore, offering a complete range of multi-disciplinary and integrated medical care. The group consists of 3 Hospitals, 5 National Specialty Centres, and a network of 9 polyclinics. We have a faculty of internationally qualified medical specialists and are also well equipped with advanced diagnostic and treatment medical technology. We are dedicated to providing quality healthcare that is affordable and accessible to our patients. Through clinical excellence, commitment, and collaboration, we aim to be the trusted leader in healthcare for our patients, partners, staff and the community.
Members of the SingHealth group:
Hospitals:
Changi General Hospital, KK Women's and Children's Hospital and Singapore General Hospital
National Specialty Centres:
National Cancer Centre Singapore, National Dental Centre of Singapore, National Heart Centre Singapore, National Neuroscience Institute, and Singapore National Eye Centre
SingHealth Polyclinics:
Bedok, Bukit Merah, Geylang, Marine Parade, Outram, Pasir Ris, Queenstown, Sengkang and Tampines
About Curtin University of Technology’s School of Nursing and Midwifery
Curtin University of Technology’s School of Nursing and Midwifery provides innovative undergraduate and postgraduate programs to prepare nurses of the future, delivered by some of the world’s leading health providers.