Earlier in January, more than 5,000 healthcare professionals were honoured at the Singapore Health Quality Service Awards (SHQSA), recognising individuals who have gone above and beyond in delivering quality care and outstanding service experiences. Among award recipients from 49 public and private healthcare institutions, SPD staff stood out for their unwavering commitment to service excellence and person-centred care.
Launched in 2011 by SingHealth, SHQSA is Singapore’s first dedicated platform to honour healthcare professionals who consistently demonstrate compassion, professionalism and excellence in service. This year, SPD is proud to celebrate multiple staff members whose dedication has made a meaningful difference to the lives of seniors, clients and their families.
Spotlight on service excellence: Mas Ayu’s journey
At the heart of SPD’s SHQSA achievements is senior healthcare therapy assistant (HCTA), Mas Ayu, who received the Service Excellence Award for the second time – a testament to her consistency, professionalism and heart for service.
Since joining SPD in 2018 after making a career switch from human resources, Ayu has become a valued member of the SPD rehabilitation team. In her role, she provides daily operational and administrative support, assists with therapy and rehabilitation sessions, and delivers hands-on care to seniors with dedication and empathy.
Ayu believes that compassionate, empowering, and reliable care is the foundation of trust and meaningful impact.
“I enjoy seeing clients make progress and knowing I have contributed to their journey. I also find it incredibly rewarding to support colleagues and volunteers, share knowledge, and help create an environment where everyone is motivated to excel,” said Ayu.
Reflecting on her second SHQSA award, Ayu said: “Winning the Service Excellence Award again is truly an honour. It is both humbling and motivating, and it reinforces my commitment to consistently strive for the highest standards of care. This recognition reflects not only my efforts but also the teamwork and supportive culture at SPD that make service excellence possible.”
Her dedication has not gone unnoticed. SPD’s assistant director for Senior Care and Rehabilitation Services, Sharon Chen affirmed: “Being recognised with the Service Excellence Award for two consecutive years reflects Ayu’s positive contributions to quality care. This achievement is true testament to her unwavering commitment to making a meaningful difference in the lives of our seniors.”
Celebrating our SPD award recipients
Ayu’s achievement is part of a collective story of service excellence at SPD. Her colleagues who share the same commitment to quality care and client-centred service, were also recognised at SHQSA 2026:
- Muhammad Farrhan Bin Othman, senior executive, ESH@Punggol
- Norita Binte Nurdin, healthcare therapy assistant, SPD@Toa Payoh
- Shruti Pandit, centre manager, SPD@Jurong West
- Laura Tan, speech therapist, Children Services
Together, these award recipients exemplify the values that define SPD – teamwork, compassion and professionalism. As Ayu aptly shared, it is often the small, thoughtful actions, supported by strong teamwork, that create lasting impact for clients and the organisation.
A shared commitment to excellence
The SHQSA 2026 awards serve as a proud moment for SPD, affirming the organisation’s ongoing commitment to service excellence across all touchpoints. More importantly, they celebrate the people behind the care – staff who give their best every day.
Congratulations to Ayu and all our SPD SHQSA 2026 recipients. Your passion and professionalism continue to inspire and uplift the communities we serve.