In the early 2000s, the social service sector faced challenges in attracting therapists, likely due to the perceived notion that the sector lacked career progression and offered poorer remuneration. SPD’s principal occupational therapist Tay Hwee Lin was driven by the conviction that clients deserved more than just a basic level of care. Choosing the less travelled path, she became one of Singapore’s pioneering local graduates in occupational therapy.

“Prior to being an occupational therapist, I was building my career in the banking industry. I chanced upon a booth that was promoting occupational therapy at a career seminar. I researched for more information on this profession at the library; there was a spark that was ignited in me. I made the bold move to follow my dreams and have not looked back since,” said Hwee Lin.

It has been nearly 30 years since she embarked on this journey which began at the Institute of Mental Health.  Her work has not only impacted the lives of many with disabilities and their families, but her contributions have also paved the way for generations of occupational therapists who followed her footsteps. Unsurprisingly, Hwee Lin was awarded the National Council of Social Service’s Social Service Fellowship in November 2023, a testament to her recognition as the trailblazer for past, present and future occupational therapists in Singapore.

In 2000, Hwee Lin joined SPD where she played key roles in developing and growing many of our programmes and services, notably the setting up our rehabilitation centres. The SPD Therapy Hub, where she now oversees as senior manager, was set up in response to talent development and retention of clinicians in the sector, and Hwee Lin played a part in growing it from a team of three therapists to our current strength of more than 100. Our partner network also grew to more than 30 organisations. Her genuine and humble approach to stakeholder management have won her many praises from our staff and partners over the years.

“Hwee Lin’s dedication to the establishment and growth of the Rehabilitation Centres has been instrumental in transforming it into a hub of excellence, providing crucial services to our community,” said Mr Abhimanyau Pal, Chief Executive Officer of SPD.

Not only does Hwee Lin carry out her clinical responsibilities, she also extends her role by mentoring junior staff and advocating for community care. She aims to shift perceptions in the community care sector, in the hopes of attracting more therapists. In her capacity as a mentor and leader, Hwee Lin continues to inspire the next generation of social service professionals.

“I had the privilege of learning from Hwee Lin. She fosters a nurturing environment of trust and growth, allowing therapists at SPD to explore their potential with a sense of security. I admire her willingness to share her experience with the team and that she is always genuinely caring for her staff,” said SPD senior occupational therapist Dawn Ching.

Her commitment to societal improvement serves as a beacon, motivating others to actively contribute to their communities. Motivated by a desire to enhance community care, Hwee Lin has not only inspired others to follow her lead in serving community care settings but she has also contributed to improved care options for persons with disabilities.

Her experience in occupational therapy had provided her the opportunity to share her insights and knowledge with leaders in the development of the first Building and Construction Authority’s Code on Accessibility in the Built Environment and her efforts had led to greater physical accessibility in our community.

She has conducted training for the community sector and applied her expertise to improve lives of those with disabilities. The occupational therapy fraternity recognises Hwee Lin’s achievements and her dedication to the profession. She is a member of the Allied Health Professions Council’s (AHPC) Complaint Panel and Readiness Review Panel for Occupational Therapy. She has also participated in the SIT Allied Health Admission Exercise and was invited by Singapore Institute of Technology to be an Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) examiner.

“As an occupational therapist, I believe this profession provides unlimited opportunities and will continue to break new grounds and frontiers. I’d like to encourage the next generation of occupational therapists to continue to be passion-driven and believe that we all can make a difference in others’ lives,” said Hwee Lin.

Hwee Lin’s journey from the early challenges faced by the social service sector to her transformative contributions in occupational therapy exemplifies a commitment to societal improvement that goes beyond professional duties. Her impact on the lives of individuals with disabilities and their families is evident in the growth of programmes and services, as well as the expansion of the SPD Therapy Hub.

“We are immensely proud of Hwee Lin’s accomplishments, and her Social Service Fellowship is a well-deserved recognition of her tireless efforts in advancing occupational therapy in Singapore,” said Mr Pal.