Read on for recent news and updates!
Two Occupational Therapists Honoured at the 2026 Healthcare Humanity Awards Straits Times feature: 23 October 2026 Featured Occupational Therapists: Heidi Tan, Senior Principal Occupational Therapist @ Tan Tock Seng Hospital Yvette Choo, Senior Occupational Therapist @ Khoo Teck Puat Hospital and Yishun Community Hospital SAOT
It’s a wrap! SAOT held our annual AGM on the 31st of July 2026! As we stepped forward beyond 50 years of SAOT, we are now looking to the future and inviting the rest of our OT community to co-create with us. We took this
Rebuilding Lives, One Daily Task at a Time Everyday actions like lifting a spoon or buttoning a shirt may seem simple, but they are powerful markers of progress for someone regaining independence Helping patients live life fully: Aspiring occupational therapist’s mission Straits Times Scholars’ Choice
Not Your Usual Classroom From animal walks to sensory mats, every ‘game’ in Xu Cuili’s class is designed to build real-life skills. ‘Animal walks’ and bouncing on a trampoline — It’s all in a day’s work for a MINDS Occupational Therapist Minds Feature: 27
Healing, But Make It Green Forget hospital walls — OTs at Alexandra Hospital are taking therapy outside, where fresh air and jasmine blooms bring back movement, memory, and joy The gardens at Alexandra Hospital that helped two women regain their mental and physical strength Today
When a High Five Means Everything. For most of us, it’s just a gesture.For an occupational therapist, it’s a sign that trust, growth, and belonging are taking root. A simple high five or a hug is how this occupational therapist measures her success Straits Times
Healing Takes More Than Medicine OTs fill the space between medical recovery and real life — helping people rebuild routines, regain confidence, and reconnect with what matters More than just volunteers: How a social worker & occupational therapist are making a lasting impact in S’pore
Where Strengths Meet Opportunity: An OT’s Story OTs don’t just find work for people — they help people find where they belong. Occupational Therapist Excited to Match Suitable Jobs for Persons with Intellectual Disabilities Berita Harian Feature: 11 November 2025 Featured Occupational Therapist:Sofian Hussain, Occupational
We are excited to share that Assoc. Prof Tan Bhing Leet has been awarded the 2023 Connie Lieber Science to Practice Award – Cognitive Remediation in Psychiatry. Congratulations! 🎖
Bringing others along, as she progresses through learning
Photo Credit: Brand Studio. (2021). CONTRIBUTING TO THE PROFESSIONAL COMMUNITY [Image]. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.channelnewsasia.com/bringing-others-along-she-progresses-through-learning-2060106.
An interview feature of our Inspiring Occupational Therapists Award 2019 winner – Senior Principal Occupational Therapist Florence Cheong from Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH).
Florence was previously President of SAOT, current Head of Occupational Therapy Department at TTSH, and now a recipient of the SkillsFuture Fellowships Award in 2020! Read more about her journey towards embracing lifelong learning not only for herself, but also in cultivating a learning culture and mindset within her department.
Read more about Florence’s journey here: Bringing others along, as she progresses through learning
Photo Credit: Screen Grab from Channel NewsAsia, as cited in Wong, P. (2018). NMP Chia Yong Yong choked back tears as she spoke in parliament during the motion on the future of Singapore’s education system. She was driving home the point that children with disabilities or special needs should get a chance to participate effectively as members of society. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/mps-call-integration-special-needs-and-mainstream-students.
Nominated Member of Parliament Chia Yong Yong recounted her growing up years as a student with peroneal muscular atrophy within the mainstream education system, to advance the motion of an inclusive and integrated learning environment for children of different abilities. In support of her parliamentary statement, SAOT had submitted a Statement on Inclusive Education in Singapore to NMP Chia Yong Yong.
SAOT will like to acknowledge Dr May Lim, Dr Karina Dancza, Ms Corrine Hoo and SAOT Council members for their contributions to the statement.
Interested to find out what has been included in NMP Chia Yong Yong’s parliamentary speech?
Read NMP Chia Yong Yong’s Speech here: Education for our future – Parliamentary Speech by SPD President
Read SAOT’s Statement here: Inclusive education in Singapore_SAOT.pdf
An OT’s Journey with Breast Cancer Survivors
Screen Grab from Youtube Video: TomorowsMed. (2016). SHQSA 2016 Superstar Award – Allied Health: Nancy Ang [Video]. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cnXmmIlJVbQ.
Senior Principal Occupational Therapist Nancy Ang from Department of Occupational Therapy, Singapore General Hospital, won the Superstar Award at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards 2016.
Learn about her perspectives as an Occupational Therapist working with Breast Cancer survivors through the link here: SHQSA 2016 Superstar Award – Allied Health: Nancy Ang
More therapists ‘may ease negative impact of dementia
Photo Credit: Lau, F. (2015). Ms Anna Lee made a patient an overcoat full of things like buttons and strings that he could fiddle with instead of pinching himself. Retrieved 22 September 2021, from https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/health/more-therapists-may-ease-negative-impact-of-dementia.
An article in The Straits Times shares how occupational therapists can help to delay the progression of mild cognitive impairments through engagement and participation in meaningful daily and instrumental activities for seniors. Environmental design to maintain a senior’s independence and use of sensory strategies for behavioural management as part of OT interventions were also mentioned!
Read on to find out more! More therapists ‘may ease negative impact of dementia.
