This year, I had the honour of being nominated and awarded the prestigious Professor Lucy Wan Outstanding Pharmacist Award 2008.
It’s indeed a great honour to receive this Award. As an ordinary member of the extra-ordinary profession, I must admit that there are many more deserving colleagues who have done and contributed a lot more; thereby positively influencing the people around them and the more than 1,500 pharmacists in Singapore whose livelihood is supported by our wide ranging professional pursuits. To all such people and those who have influenced me positively, I salute you and this Award humbles me further to do more for our profession.
My association with the PSS has not been too long relative to the years that I have lived my life so far; but it has been a wonderful experience; an experience which enables me to interact more widely with different people from different places. Many people have made a significant difference in my life; and likewise I hope I have reciprocated, too!
Many thanks to PSS and all the wonderful colleagues whom I have worked with thus far, especially those who have been collaborating and knowing me enough to eventually nominate me for this Award. PSS is a great platform for volunteerism and to make ourselves a little less inward looking, a little more involved with the good cause of our profession that supports our livelihood. It is also an excellent conduit for social and professional networking. A place to change things instead of waiting for changes to happen.
My ability to participate in the many PSS activities has consistently been attributed to the great support of my family, especially my wonderfully efficient wife. Nobody will admit to have ample “spare time” to be involved with PSS, or even any other voluntary activities. Each of us share the 24-hour day equally; it’s a matter of prioritizing our time and channel“wasted time” for something we believe in and “learn to like”. It’s quite unlikely that someone will wake up in the morning and offer to contribute to PSS without having to learn to like it first!
My deepest appreciation is reserved for a very special person who has impacted my professional life as a teacher, mentor and source of wisdom. She has devoted her whole life to pharmacy education and coached many successful figures in Singapore and the region. Though now retired from her illustrious career, her wisdom and of artistic wits continue to inspire me profoundly, reminding me to be a “wittier”and “truer” person to myself, my family and people that I come in contact with. She lends her name to the Award and contributed generously to the endowment. During the recently concluded 22nd FAPA Congress in Singapore, I’m very privileged and honoured indeed to be able to meet and receive it from her personally – the Professor Lucy Wan Outstanding Pharmacy Award – from the one and only very special Professor Lucy Wan. Thanks very much Prof., I will cherish and value this very significant recognition named in your honour.
Lastly, this Award pays tribute to all the pharmacists, wherever they work, who have made a difference in the life of our patients and customers. Thanks very much.
Ng Cheng Tiang
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