In A New Path, GIAM Cheong Leong shares his transformative journey from the corporate world into the deeply human realm of hospice and palliative care. With over two decades of experience in strategic planning and resource management, Giam ventured into this field with humility and a willingness to learn, hoping to inspire others to bring their skills into meaningful, patient-centered care.
Initially unfamiliar with healthcare, Giam learned from professionals like Dr. Lee Liang Tee, whose compassionate, dignified approach deeply impacted him. These early lessons showed Giam that every aspect of care—clinical operations, leadership, and interactions—must be grounded in empathy and respect.
In Crafting a Vision, Giam reflects on aligning strategic thinking with a mission-driven focus. Guided by mentors like Professor Cynthia Goh, he adapted corporate skills to support a vision that values dignity over profit and prioritizes sustainability.
Building Connections highlights the importance of relationships over financial gain. Giam learned that partnering with community organizations, healthcare providers, and volunteers fosters trust and builds a supportive care network.
Addressing financial challenges in Financial Realities, Giam applied resource optimization, emergency fund-building, and long-term planning strategies. For hospice care, sustainable finances are not a measure of success but a lifeline for ensuring services reach those in need.
In Leading with Empathy, Giam shares how he adapted his leadership style, inspired by his father’s Buddhist teachings. He focused on fostering a compassionate, supportive work culture that valued team well-being and resilience in the face of loss.
Embracing Technology explores the balance between innovation and human connection. Giam’s personal experience during his mother’s ICU stay highlighted how tools like telehealth and digital records can improve access to care while maintaining compassion.
In Community Engagement, Giam discusses building trust through education, transparency, and partnerships. By adapting corporate outreach strategies, he saw how hospice organizations could encourage greater understanding and acceptance of palliative care.
Navigating Compliance reflects on challenges in regions where palliative care lacks recognition. Giam learned the importance of flexibility and cultural sensitivity while advocating for policies that improve access to essential services.
In Measuring What Matters, Giam applied corporate performance metrics to hospice care, inspired by the Quality of Death Index. He emphasizes the need for meaningful metrics that align with care quality, patient satisfaction, and operational efficiency.
In A Look Forward, Giam humbly reflects on the future of hospice care, acknowledging his ongoing journey of learning. His hope is for hospice care to adapt to evolving needs while remaining rooted in compassion, dignity, and trust.
A New Path is both a personal account and an invitation to others. Giam shares how corporate skills, when combined with humility and purpose, can help build a sustainable, compassionate network of care that supports patients and families at life’s most vulnerable moments.
