Leading with Compassion for Wellness and Community

Ian shares on his role as Head and Senior Consultant of Otorhinolaryngology at CGH.

At Changi General Hospital, care extends beyond patients – it encompasses the well-being of the people who strive to deliver care that matters. Dr Ian Loh, Head and Senior Consultant with the Department of Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery, learned this lesson about leadership and care early in his career when he saw a man with rolled-up sleeves ferrying patients on wheelchairs at the Emergency Department alongside other hospital porters.

“I later learned he was our then-CEO, Mr T. K. Udairam, and that this was no one-off thing,” he shares. “For me, it really stands out as a core memory about our culture at CGH – that leadership is about service, not status. It made me realise that this is a place I wanted to work at.”

Over a decade on, Ian remains guided by this conviction in his role as Head and Senior Consultant, Otorhinolaryngology – Head & Neck Surgery. Leading a team that cares for a wide range of conditions involving the ear, nose, throat, and head and neck region, he views leadership as an opportunity to empower others, fostering collaboration, mentorship and innovation.

“For me, leadership isn’t just about making decisions. It’s about listening, building trust and bringing people together towards a shared purpose,” he says. “When team members feel supported, valued and inspired, that’s when they perform at their best, and that translates directly to better care for our patients.”

Qiu Min shares on her role as a Specialist Pharmacist in the critical care wards at CGH.

Ian shares on his focus during his earlier tenure as Institution Wellness Officer at CGH.

Within the department, this sense of purpose is reflected in a long-standing culture of cohesiveness, with teamwork and mutual respect at the core. “We’ve always chosen to work together in a communal way. When we do things together, we learn from each other and support one another. In surgery, that trust is essential – you’re not afraid to ask for help and you know your colleagues will always have your back,” he shares.

This collaborative philosophy extends to the entire hospital community.

“CGH has always been a very homely place with a real sense of community — there's a lot of kampung spirit here,” he says.

In 2022, as the country recovered from the pandemic and resumed normalcy, Ian took on the role of CGH’s first Institution Wellness Officer, spearheading the hospital’s efforts to strengthen staff mental health and well-being.

Recognising that healthcare workers often put patient care before themselves, he led the Office of Staff Wellness in organising initiatives that advance staff well-being across the hospital. At the same time, he was heartened that there were already various wellness initiatives in place.

“Every professional arm had committees and activities going on to better support their teams. It was quite humbling because this was without any formal organisation, and purely because people cared,” he shares.

“Staff wellness is not a luxury – it’s a necessity,” he adds.

“When we look after our people, they are in a better position to care for others. It’s about creating a culture of psychological safety and genuine care.”

He recalls an unforgettable moment from a staff wellness event that underscored this message.

“One of our cleaning staff came up to me and asked if she could also enjoy the coffee and ice-cream. When I affirmed that she, too, was a member of the care team and could certainly do so, she was very, very touched and happy. It made me realise that we are extended family working here, and that all the little things we do matter to different people.”

This year, Ian continues this commitment in a different role – as Chair of the CGH 90th Anniversary Committee, steering a year-long celebration that honours the hospital’s legacy of trusted care while reflecting the hospital’s enduring spirit of unity and compassion.

“It’s about recognising the people who made this journey possible – our staff – and reaffirming our commitment to care.”

Read about how Ian worked with HR Worklife and Health Senior Assistant Manager Gabriela Benjamin to support staff wellness at the Caring General Hospital here.