Nurses' Merit Award 2026: Inspiring the Next Generation

By Amy Weng

Behind every Nurses’ Merit Award is a story of dedication, growth and the people who have inspired the journey. This year, NHCS celebrates our proud recipients, Senior Nurse Educator (SNE) Anuradha D/O Ramasamy from Nursing Development Unit and Nurse Clinician (NC) Cheong Kelli from Ward 47B, whose contributions to patient care, nursing education and mentorship have earned them one of nursing’s highest honours.

Our recipients share the experiences that shaped them and what continues to drive them every day.

A Mentor is a Lighthouse

Growing up, Anuradha was influenced by her mother’s involvement in volunteering and community service, which nurtured her interest in connecting with and helping others. However, her affinity for nursing started at an unexpected moment.

She remembers it was after her GCE O-Levels when she found herself at a crossroad about her future. Then, she stumbled upon a television advertisement for nursing. "In that moment, I found my calling," she says. She signed up for the very next intake, and that decision has shaped the course of her life ever since.

Through her over two-decade nursing journey, Anuradha have had many defining moments but one mentor in particular left an indelible mark.

"My first nursing preceptor once told me that I would go far in nursing and saw potential in me that I had not recognised in myself," Anuradha recalls. Their relationship didn't end when her preceptor retired. Years later, she reached out to congratulate Anuradha on a promotion, telling her how proud she was to see her former student flourish.

It was a small gesture, but it stayed with Anuradha. That moment deeply affirmed the impact a mentor can have and it reminded her how important it is to believe in others.

"I see mentorship as a lighthouse," she says. "It doesn't determine the path, but offers guidance, direction and reassurance." Anuradha believes in understanding each learner's aspirations and strengths, helping them build confidence and discover their own potential.

Anuradha teaching nurses in the classroom.

That same mindset has carried over into her work in nursing education. Always looking for better ways to engage learners, she has driven the digital transformation of nursing education at NHCS, through pioneering innovative learning initiatives like CODEX I, gamification of Code Blue simulations, and changing the Blackboard Learning Management System into a centralised hub for collaborative learning.

While she has transformed the way nurses learn, Anuradha says nursing has moulded her personal growth beyond the profession. "It has helped me develop the ability to persevere, adapt, and ‘keep swimming’ even in difficult times," she reflects.

24 years on, she has no doubt she found where she was meant to be. "Nursing was a path I felt drawn to. Now, I can say with conviction that it is one I will never regret."

Lessons Beyond the Bedside

For NC Kelli, some of the most meaningful lessons in nursing have come from the patients whose resilience and strength have inspired her.

One encounter with an elderly couple in the High Dependency Unit remains close to her heart. Kelli had cared for a patient in his 60s over the course of a week. While he and his wife were an ordinary couple, their warmth, positivity and gratitude towards the nurses left a lasting impression on her. As they shared stories of the challenges they had overcome together, Kelli found herself reflecting on the resilience they had shown.

Sadly, the patient passed away the day before his scheduled surgery. "I will always remember our conversations," she says.

The experience became a turning point in how she viewed the profession. "When I first entered nursing, I perceived it as very hands-on work, and the thought of dealing with life and death felt overwhelming at times," she recalls.

“Over time, I began to see the impact of my work, whether in supporting a patient’s recovery or making their hospital stay more comfortable.” These changes came from bedside care experiences, as well as the guidance she received from mentors and preceptors.

"Nursing has taught me not to jump to conclusions or make judgments too quickly," she says. "It encourages me to ask more questions and better understand each situation before making decisions."

(L-R) Kelli (first from the right) with her colleagues from Ward 44 High Dependency unit; Kelli on her way to the ward.

Beyond caring for patients, Kelli also plays an active role in process improvement projects and developing fellow nurses. As a Wound, Ostomy and Continence nurse specialist, she leads evidence-based pressure injury prevention initiatives, collaborates with multidisciplinary teams to improve patient care, and mentors colleagues in wound and geriatric nursing. She has also contributed to e-learning and educational programmes, sharing her knowledge with fellow nurses across NHCS.

"I hope to create an environment where young nurses feel safe to speak up, ask questions and share challenges, and simply learn from mistakes without fear of judgement," she says. "At the same time, I aim to cultivate the right mindset and work attitude in young nurses while upholding professional standards."

A common purpose

While different journeys brought Anuradha and Kelli into nursing, both have found their common purpose in making a meaningful difference in the lives of others. Today, they bring their experiences from caring for patients into mentoring young nurses, driving improvements and creating opportunities for others to grow. As this year’s Nurses’ Merit Award recipients, they continue to pay forward the support and inspiration that shaped their own careers.

Warm congratulations to both nurses on their well-deserved recognition!