Interview with the 2016 Healthcare Humanity Award Recipient:
Mr Mah Choon Siong
Mr Mah Choon Siong is the first pharmacist from National Healthcare Group Pharmacy (NHGP) to receive the coveted Healthcare Humanity (HH) Award, among 101 national awardees this year.
The HH Award recognises exceptional healthcare workers who have gone beyond their call of duty to offer high standards of care and comfort to the ill and feeble. It aims to highlight healthcare as an honorable profession – and not just another job.
A peek into Mr Mah’s academic credentials saw him receiving his Bachelor of Science in Pharmacy with Honours from the National University of Singapore (NUS). After that, he obtained his Certification as a Certified Quit Smoking Consultant by the Health Promotion Board in 2013, and Certification in Anticoagulation Therapy Management from the University of South Indiana in 2014.
As a Senior Pharmacist in Ang Mo Kio Polyclinic, Mr Mah is instrumental in assisting the Clinic Pharmacy Manager in monitoring the performance of his team members, and motivating them to work together to improve patient care standards. Mr Mah also runs several ambulatory care clinics on top of managing pharmacy operations. Furthermore, he oversees several patient care-related workgroups and projects, such as the ConviDose Outpatient Workgroup by NHGP, and a smoking cessation app as part of the Health Innovation Technology Challenge.
Despite his busy work schedule, Mr Mah displays much compassion and commitment to his patients. He places his patient’s best interest at heart and constantly goes out of his way to meet their needs. For instance, when he met a visually impaired patient who expressed difficulties in returning to the polyclinic to pick up her medications, Mr Mah took it upon himself to bring the medication to her home. His act of kindness did not end there. Noticing that the patient was living alone, he helped to sort out her medications and made sure that they were prominently placed for her convenience.
Besides that, during a health outreach and medication review event jointly organised by NUS Pharmaceutical Society (NUSPS) and Pharmaceutical Society of Singapore (PSS), he identified residents who had elevated blood pressure readings, provided advice on blood pressure management, and encouraged residents to take ownership of their health. He also went above and beyond his call of duty by writing memos for them to bring to a doctor for further follow up.
Mr Mah undoubtedly deserves the HHA award for his tireless commitment to humanitarian efforts and his selfless contributions to making a difference in his patients’ lives. He is definitely an exemplary role model for others to emulate.
A piece of advice from the winner on inspiring other pharmacists to go the extra mile - Enjoy each day serving the community as a pharmacist with a purpose and you will never have to work a day in your life!
PSS congratulates Mr Mah on receiving for this well-deserved honour and award!
Written by: Vanessa Png (Committee Member, PSS Community Chapter)
Vetted by: Matthew Lin (Committee Member, PSS Community Chapter), Sharene Goh (Ex Officio, PSS Community Chapter)
Date: 14 Sep 2016
