Interview with One of the Recipients of SPC Excellent Preceptor Award 2015
Ms Ong Soo Im, Principal Pharmacist
National Healthcare Group Pharmacy (NHGP)
“A person with sincerity, compassion, who is nurturing and patient; possesses wonderful communication skills and has a big heart in sharing her clinical skills and knowledge”, was used to describe Ms Ong Soo Im, one of only two recipients of the Excellent Preceptor Award 2015 conferred by the Singapore Pharmacy Council. The citation given by Ms Lim Li Ching, the Assistant Director of Pharmacy Practice, National Healthcare Group Pharmacy (NHGP) further describes Ms Ong as a role model and a source of inspiration to others, who has brought great pride not only to the organisation she works in, but also to the pharmacy profession as a whole. The Excellent Preceptor Award recognises distinguished pharmacists who have brilliantly nurtured and mentored pre-registration pharmacists.
Ms Ong graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Pharmacy) (Honours) degree from the National University of Singapore, has attained the US Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist (BCPS) certification in 2008, and subsequently became a Board Certified Ambulatory Care Pharmacist (BCACP) in 2012. She started her 17-year career stint in Tan Tok Seng Hospital, before switching over to work at NHG polyclinics. Having a rich and extensive experience in both inpatient and outpatient settings, Ms Ong takes initiative to engage patients in demanding situations, offers assistance to colleagues and guides them with patience and with an unassuming approach.
Being an award-winning teacher is no stranger to Ms Ong, as she has also received the inaugural National Healthcare Group (NHG) Teaching Award (for senior preceptors) in 2013. She has been instrumental in developing various training programmes in NHG, and was involved in the implementation of several of them.
As a preceptor, she has trained a multitude of trainees during her 15-year stint with NHG, and sees them through their transition to be successful pharmacists. Driving her passion is not only her selfless commitment in passing on her skills, knowledge and positive values, but also the building of valuable friendships with her preceptees. Ms June Koh, her previous preceptee at Bukit Batok polyclinic, who nominated Ms Ong for the award, was ecstatic when she heard that she had won. “It came as such a huge surprise to me when I heard Soo Im’s name being announced for the Excellent Preceptor award… I am incredibly proud to be her pre-registration pharmacist, and she definitely deserves every bit of this recognition”, rejoiced Ms Koh.
Ms Ong Soo Im with her preceptee Ms June Koh
Ms Ong’s secret to her success is to forge a strong camaraderie with her team-mates and managers. In her own words, “I am really fortunate to have a preceptee who shared wonderful things about her training with NHG Pharmacy as well as a supportive supervisor who wrote beautiful things about my role as a preceptor.“
Ms Ong, who is also a member of the Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore, has this to say for pharmacists aspiring to be preceptors. “Embrace your students/trainees as whom they are and guide them according to their individual needs. Be your preceptee’s friend and support them. Have an open mind and heart to engage them and you will find you learn new things along the way together.”
PSS congratulates Ms Ong on receiving for this well-deserved honour and award!
Note:
There are a total of two deserving preceptors for the SPC Excellent Preceptor Award 2015. They are Ms Ong Soo Im from NHGP and Ms Yeoh Ting Ting from National Cancer Centre Singapore (NCCS).
Watch out our next issue for the interview with Ms Yeoh Ting Ting. Stay tuned!
Ms Ong Soo Im receiving the award from Mr Wu Tuck Seng, President of Singapore Pharmacy Council Pharmacist’s Pledge Affirmation Ceremony on 6 May 2016
Written by Mr Matthew Lin, Committee Member of Community Chapter, Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore
With citations from Ms Lim Li Ching, Assistant Director of Pharmacy Practice, National Healthcare Group Pharmacy
Vetted by Ms Sharene Goh Shiar Yin, Ex-Officio of Community Chapter, Asst Hon Secretary, 110th Council, Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore
