From providing a diverse range of diagnostic and technical services, to supporting our patients with therapeutic and rehabilitative care, our Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) are irreplaceable members of the multidisciplinary healthcare teams in NHCS.

 

Themed "Heroes in Healthcare: Empowering Lives", this year’s Allied Health Day celebrates the everyday heroism of our AHPs by bringing their stories to the forefront. CardioConnect speaks to three of our AHP superstars featured in SingHealth’s campus visuals – Mohamed Amir Bin Pahurudeen, Senior Cardiac Physiologist from Cardiac Laboratory – SKH, Yap May Lee, Senior Perfusionist from Perfusion, and Joycelyn Tan Lili, Principal Transplant Co-ordinator from Mechanical Circulatory Support, Heart & Lung Unit – to learn more about their healthcare journey in NHCS.

 

Amir’s passion for cardiac care began from biology lessons, where cardiology piqued his interest. Now as a cardiac physiologist, Amir specialises cardiac procedures involving cardiac implantable devices like pacemakers to improve patients’ quality of life. This was possible upon attaining his certification from the International Board of Heart Rhythm Examiners (IBHRE) Allied Professionals Certified Cardiac Device Specialist (CCDS) along with passing rigorous institution-based theory and practical tests. 

Amir’s dedication reflects the selflessness of true heroes - helping others without expecting anything in return. One case that stood out to him involved an agitated patient with a pacemaker implant. Noticed that the patient got frustrated because he could not speak and verbalise his feelings, Amir quickly responded, offering him a clipboard to write down his thoughts. This simple action calmed the patient and revealed that he was experiencing discomfort from the pacemaker. Amir was then able to adjust the device accordingly. After his consultation with the doctor, the patient showed his appreciation without uttering a word. This left a lasting impression on Amir, who shared, “A Thank You communicated without a single word made my day, and it made me feel that my work was worthwhile.”

 

A strong interest in science since high school led May Lee to pursue a career in perfusion, despite the lack of formal training in Singapore. Her decision was reaffirmed during her job interview, where she was inspired by the teamwork of the cardiothoracic surgical team. In her first two years, she gained both theoretical knowledge and practical skills including operating various life support machines and managing cardiopulmonary bypass procedures. After five years into her role, May Lee attended a two-year perfusion course with the Australian and New Zealand College of Perfusionists (ANZCP), allowing her to further advance her skills to provide even better quality patient care.

As tenacious as a hero, May Lee remains calm and efficient in emergencies, facing stressful situations with determination. She recalls a young girl who relied on the Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO) machine to keep her alive after her heart and brain were attacked by a virus. Though the prognosis was poor, May Lee and the entire care team continued to work tirelessly. Their determination and dedication paid off when the patient regained consciousness and eventually  returned to a normal life after rehabilitation. These triumphs are what motivates May Lee in her work, as she proudly states, “I have no regrets about choosing this profession as my career!”

 

At the start of her career, Joycelyn admitted feeling uncertain about her role as a transplant coordinator, despite her background in nursing. However, with the guidance of her supervisor, Kerk Ka Lee, she quickly found her footing. Joycelyn gained confidence in tasks such as clinical decision-making, patient education and coordination of medical care. More importantly, she came to understand the meaningful impact her work has on patients’ lives.

The road to success is often wrought with setbacks, but Joycelyn heroically faces challenges in her stride. She recalls losing a patient, yet finding comfort in knowing that her care, patience, and dedication had made a positive difference in his health journey. This experience reinforced her commitment to ensuring every patient feels heard, understood, and empowered through their health journey, regardless of the outcome. Joycelyn said, “It is a privilege to be a part of my patients’ healing process, and this gives purpose to my work to this day.”

Happy Allied Health Day to our AHPs and Thank You! for all that you do! Your dedication to making a positive difference in patient care inspires us all.