1st SingHealth House Officer Award - 28 September 2004
9 House Officers were nominated for SingHealth House Officer Award by their departments during the posting from May to Aug 04. SingHealth held a tea reception hosted by GCEO in recognition of their hard work and gave out a token of appreciation to these doctors.

Congratulations to our 9 HOs! They are Dr Lee Wan Sian, Dr Lim Chui Yin, Dr Chai Shu Ming, Dr Beatrice Lim Chin Ling, Dr Tan Aik Hau, Dr Coowar Ali, Dr Chua Choon Guan, Dr Chong Choon Seng and Dr Tng Eng Loon.

Lets hear from some of them after receiving the award.

Chong Choon Seng
It was to my surprise that I was nominated as the best HO for KKH O&G. Nevertheless, I thank all who have helped me in one way or another. I think the relationship with my colleagues, be it the seniors, peers or nurses play an important role in this nomination. I get along well with them and we treat each other as friends working together. KKH O&G is an excellent posting. It did inspire me a little to go into O&G specialist track. Also, it depends on individuals to learn as much as they can in a posting. Initiative to learn is important.

Chai Shu Ming, Jane
It has been a pleasant surprise, really. I am glad that my efforts are appreciated.

I have enjoyed my working experience, overall. I like the feeling of being involved in a patient's management, and I find that there are new things to learn everyday, be it procedures, approaches to various problems or dosages of medications.

I think the toughest moments for me, and the ones I have least enjoyed are the night calls. It was very difficult for me initially to cope with my pager going off almost continuously throughout the night, and the sheer volume of things to do. My pet peeve is probably having to do ECGs at night, where the machine is often not working very well, the wires are all tangled up etc. -- it often takes 10 minutes or more, a drain on your precious time when you have new cases to clerk or ill patients requiring your attention. It has become slightly easier with more experience, though. I am able to do things a little faster, and better able to prioritise what is more urgent.

So I would like to tell those who are currently going through SGH Medicine -- hang in there, ask-ask-ask if unsure (the medical officers are always ready to help) and help out each other whenever you can.

There are no 'secrets' -- I think it's important to work hard and be willing to learn.

There are so many, I don't quite know where to start! I would like to thank Prof Philip Eng, Prof Ong Yong Yau, Prof Ng Keng Yeen, Dr Ong Thun How, Dr Yvonne Loh, Dr Lim Jeng Ming, Dr Jason Chang for their guidance in the 4 months I was in SGH medicine.

I would also like to thank the all the medical officers for being so approachable and ready to help, be it on call or during the day -- in particular Dr Damien Tan, Dr Ang Mei Kim, Dr Nausheen Edwin, Dr Madeline Ho, Dr David Sim, Dr Siow Tian Rui, Dr Michelle Lee, Dr Michelle Ng, Dr Low Choon Yong, Dr Lee Jer Ern, Dr Johnson Fam.. from them I have learnt so much, and inspired by them to be like them when I am myself an MO. (hopefully, next year!)

I must also thank the all the nurses who have made my job easier!

Chua Choon Guan
What I like about SGH Othopaedic Surgery posting was that I get to learn a lot especially when MOs takes HOs around to see cases. MOs gave good guidance to us.

This came to me as a surprise. I feel honoured to be one of the first few HOs to receive the award. But speaking for myself, and for the rest of the HOs, this was the least of our concerns when we did our posting.

I did my first posting at SGH Orthopaedics. What I enjoyed most during this posting was the companion of my fellow colleagues, and second to it the comfortable working environment. My fellow HOs were always there, ready to help, when I was busy. You know that you are never alone when you have a problem.

My fellow HOs! Thanks for listening to all my complaints, and all the help that you have rendered. This award belongs to you too! I would like to thank all the MOs, the registrars, the consultants, and

Last but not least, the nurses, who have guided me along during this posting. Thank you!

2nd SingHealth House Officer Award
(posting September to December 2004)

The 2nd SingHealth House Officer Award was held on 11 January 2005.  The HOs awarded are Dr Harold Heah Hon Wei, Dr Kau Chung Yuan, Dr Mohamed Baisal s/o Abdul Nassar, Dr Amit Jain, Dr Gary Si Khin Yuen, Dr Dawn Lim Shao Ting, Dr Chai Shu Ming, Dr Mohamad Isham Bin Othman.  Congratulations!