Tina Tan
The ability to transform and adapt healthcare and its systems to ever-changing times is something that was rarely taught in medical school. How do you incorporate and teach the wealth of knowledge that comes from delving deep into an organisation, and mould it into that final envisioned product? Well, by ensuring that such experiences are shared. By having students and younger doctors learn from the lessons of their seniors in such a journey.
In this issue, we feature comprehensive articles from a diverse group of individuals on healthcare leadership and healthcare of the future. We hope that this will be educational to all our readers, especially those who wonder what weighs on our bosses' minds and those overseeing various components of our local healthcare system.
In addition, Dr Desmond Wai's article on his Vaccinated Travel Lane travels will provide some much-needed vicarious travelling as well as his personal insights on the downsides of travelling during a pandemic.
Happy reading.
Clive Tan
"A leader is best when people barely know he exists, when his work is done, his aim fulfilled, they will say: we did it ourselves." – Lao Tzu
Throughout the two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, we have seen strong leadership in Singapore's healthcare sector emerge at every level. These leaders have stepped up to the mantle, risen to the occasion, and carried many heavy decisions. Our Director of Medical Services, A/Prof Kenneth Mak, is one stellar example of a stoic leader who has led us well and been there with us throughout the entire campaign. There are also many leaders who have toiled behind the scenes, responding to emergent situations, preventing the next crisis, or even just keeping the ship afloat amid these rough seas.
In this issue, we are glad to be able to share a few stories from our healthcare sector leaders on their leadership journeys in their respective roles. For every story shared, there are hundreds that may go untold. But like the boy that is picking up starfishes from the beach and throwing them back into the sea, we hope that these few stories will be meaningful to you and also bring you some joy.