SINGAPORE - SingHealth Group CEO Professor Ivy Ng, was recognised as Her World magazine's Woman of the Year 2011/2012 at an awards ceremony held this evening at the Regent hotel.

The women's magazine presents two prestigious awards every year – Her World Woman of the Year and Young Woman Achiever – to outstanding Singaporean women who have contributed significantly to society, projected the best image of our nation and are inspirational role models to other women.

Prof Ng, 54, is the Group CEO of Singapore Health Services (SingHealth), which oversees two hospitals, Singapore General Hospital and KKH, nine polyclinics and five specialist centres.

In her eight-year tenure as CEO of KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KKH), Prof Ng was instrumental in transforming a hospital specialising in obstetrics and gynaecology, to one that encompasses a holistic range of health services for women – from breast cancer treatment to fitness assessment.

Said Professor Ivy Ng said: "Healthcare is a demanding industry that attracts a high percentage of female employees who effectively juggle their multiple roles. At SingHealth, many of our female staff take on leadership and management responsibilities in clinical care, nursing, allied health and healthcare administration and we support them with initiatives that help them balance their career demands with family commitments.

“Working alongside these individuals has inspired me personally and professionally. I see my role as encouraging them to be confident that there are no limits to the positive impact we can make in the lives of others – whether they are patients, colleagues, junior staff or family members. Through the years, I have been blessed to have my family, friends and colleagues supporting me through the different stages of my career and I would like to share this award with them.”

The Her World Young Woman Achiever 2011/12 went to Janice Wong, 29, the founder of 2am:dessertbar.

The dessert chef and entrepreneur, who studied at the prestigious Le Cordon Bleu in Paris, has worked at respected restaurants in cities such as New York, Chicago and Madrid. Last year, she nabbed the Pastry Chef of the Year title at the World Gourmet Summit Awards of Excellence.

Ms Wong also founded 2am:lab, a non-profit space to give budding chefs an opportunity to experiment with their culinary creations.

Said Ms Wong: “It is truly an honour to be awarded the Young Woman Achiever 2011/2012. It is an encouragement to me to achieve greater heights in my craft and continue to be an inspiration to others.”

Ambassador-At-Large and first female ambassador to the United States Professor Chan Heng Chee, who was the first Woman of the Year winner, was this year’s Guest of Honour at the dinner.

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