A new mentorship programme for healthcare administrators in SingHealth is providing guidance essential for career development and fulfilment.

Iris Lee recently completed her Master of Business Administration (MBA). It was a gruelling two and a half years of evening studies after ­her work at the SingHealth Duke-NUS Academic Medical Centre's Joint Office of Academic Medicine (JOAM), where she is Manager. Iris was quick to credit her mentor Dr Edwin Low, Group Director of Regional Health System, SingHealth, for encouraging her through the process.

Iris had worked together with Dr Low in JOAM from 2012 to 2013, when he headed the office. Fortuitously, their working relationship paved the way for their future rapport when Iris was offered a chance to participate in SingHealth's Career Advancement Taskforce (CATF) mentoring programme in May 2016. "When they asked me who I'd like to pick as a mentor, Dr Low was my first choice!" shared Iris.

"I was more than willing to be a mentor in the programme, because this is something I believe in," Dr Low said, "Helping people achieve their potential."

Coincidentally, Iris' MBA dissertation was on the topic of healthcare partnerships. With Dr Low's help, she delved into the public and private partnerships across tertiary, primary and community care in the SingHealth Regional Health System. Dr Low's mentorship was a timely match-up.

They met over several sessions throughout the year, often as early as 7.30am, and at times with Dr Low's two other mentees. As mentor, Dr Low's job was to provide  holistic guidance to help his mentees fulfil their potential.

Asked about his methods, Dr Low said, "What I do is I provide guidance without giving specific advice. It's tricky, because this requires me to have a high level of attentiveness to the conversation and good self-awareness."

"There was openness and trust. I felt very comfortable to have a conversation with Dr Low about my career plans and challenges, and Dr Low was very open in sharing his experiences," Iris said.

"It helped me appreciate that our senior leaders have had difficult moments in their personal journeys too. Hearing them in person reminded me that it's not about the grass being greener on the other side, but having the mental resilience to accept our circumstances and make the best of the situation."

The pairing was a rewarding one, and both mentor and mentee came through the process with fresh perspectives for work.

"Although the mentorship is a one-year programme,  I tell the 'mentees' that they have a 'lifetime guarantee' at the end of it, with a standing offer to call me whenever they need some advice."
- Dr Edwin Low, Group Director, Regional Health System, SingHealth

Dr Low said, "At a personal level, it was satisfying to see the administrators I mentor putting their new skills, from the management development programme they attended, to work and grow in their career journeys. Although the mentorship is a one-year programme,  I tell the 'mentees' that they have a 'lifetime guarantee' at the end of it, with a standing offer to call me whenever they need some advice."

"Mentors are never too old to have mentors for ourselves. In fact, I had just called up one of my trusted ex-colleague from the Navy for lunch so that I could get his advice on new dimensions in my current role," he laughed.

Iris felt that mentorship for aspiring administrators is crucial, "Mid-level staff may get restless and career advancements may require adjustments. Having a mentor helps."

Dr Low added, "I try my best to help younger staff in their career development. And when the time comes for them to move on or try something new, I will encourage them to still contribute to SingHealth – be it in another department or institution. We look after our talents carefully so we don't lose them."