In the spotlight is an initiative by PSS that features pharmacists who excel in their area of practice and have been role models for fellow pharmacists. In this issue, we feature:
The pharmacist being featured in the January edition of In the Spotlight is Dr Ng Tat Ming. He is an inpatient pharmacist from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), with a total of nine years of inpatient pharmacy experience. He specialises in Infectious Disease (ID) and is the lead pharmacist for his Antimicrobial Stewardship Programme (ASP) team. His main role includes ensuring appropriate use of broad spectrum antibiotics in TTSH and participating in Intensive Care Unit –Infectious Disease rounds. Recently, he has been appointed as the Unit head, Clinical Services of Department of Pharmacy, TTSH and oversees the integration/development of clinical pharmacy services in TTSH.
What would Tat Ming’s best advice be for the younger pharmacists, especially when faced with challenges to motivate them and keep them going?
I believe there is always an “initial reason” that drives us to commit to this profession. Next, we have to accept that change is the only constant in life and how successful you are will depend on how well you adapt.
When the going gets tough, always look back to the “initial reason”. This will make your path much clearer.
Contributions made by Tat Ming to the pharmacy profession
· Abstract chair, Scientific committee, organising committee, 24th Singapore Pharmacy Congress 2014
· Chairperson, Antimicrobial Stewardship Program Workshop, 24th Singapore Pharmacy Congress 2014.
· Clinical tutor, NUS PharmD program
· Member, National Antimicrobial Stewardship Expert Panel, Ministry of Health, Singapore 2014-2017
· Reviewer, National Pharmacy Landscape Study 2014
· Member, Antimicrobial Utilisation and Stewardship Workgroup (2013)
· Member and Vice-Chair, Scientific committee, organising committee, 23th and 24th Singapore Pharmacy Congress respectively.
How did you juggle between your family/personal life and achieving such great heights in your pharmacy career? What are the challenges which the young ones should look out for?
I have a very supportive family. My wife is a pharmacist too and we believe in the simple rule of defining success at our own terms.
I think the notion of work-life balance is passé. You will never be able to dedicate equal portion of time to work and personal life. We should rather look for work-life effectiveness.
Work and personal life should complement each other, it is important despite our busiest moments, that we strive to align our priorities of work, family and well-being.
What are the ingredients, in your opinion, required to make one an outstanding pharmacist?
Something which I have learnt from NUS PharmD programme; we should always strive to be a better clinician, teacher, researcher and mentor.
I am not really sure if aiming for this will make you outstanding, but it has definitely brought me much more satisfaction at work.
Tat Ming with his family
