We are delighted to share that USP Deputy Director, A/P Albert Teo, was one of the 101 healthcare heroes lauded at the 13th Healthcare Humanity Awards (HHA) 2016 ceremony held on 6 May at Ci Yuan Community Club. The HHA was initiated by The Courage Fund in 2004 to salute exemplary healthcare professionals who go beyond the call of duty to help others. This year, three new categories were introduced to acknowledge the extraordinary efforts of healthcare workers - in this case, A/P Albert Teo being a healthcare volunteer - who provide holistic and person-centred care in the community.

A/P Teo has been a volunteer in the Communicable Disease Centre (CDC) wards at Tan Tock Seng Hospital since 2001. Regardless of how busy he may be, he goes to CDC every Saturday to visit the patients. Being introverted by nature, he felt discouraged during the first two months of volunteering as he found it challenging to initiate conversations with patients. Upon further reflection, he decided to try his massage skills on the patients, which worked. The “touch therapy programme” was then born. Other volunteers have since been employing the same touch therapy for the patients. This therapy approach sends signals of acceptance and care thus providing emotional healing for the patients. 

"Volunteering has been an enriching experience for me, as I have learnt to be more empathetic and patient, and less judgemental. I have also witnessed acts of unconditional love admist adversity" - A/P Albert Teo

Heartiest congratulations to A/P Teo for receiving the recognition he so deserves! We hope this will inspire more people to contribute back to the community by volunteering.

See media release - 101 Healthcare Heroes Lauded at Healthcare Humanity Awards 2016
Read more on A/P Teo’s volunteering work – The Healing Touch