No second thoughts NHG scholar Lee Soak Yee does not regret leaving the commercial world for a career in physiotherapy By Kent Chan THE National Healthcare Group (NHG) scholarship gave Ms Lee Soak Yee, 34, a chance to rewrite her career. An accountancy graduate, Ms Lee worked in the financial sector for a few years before deciding to pursue her dream to be a physi-otherapist. She says: “I decided to embark on something that I really enjoy instead of just going through the motions of work as a means to earn a living. I decided that physiotherapy is a career that suits my character and my wish to do something that helps people to regain their physical independence. It is a vocation that best matches my interest and my belief.” Armed with the NHG scholarship, she first completed a three-year diploma course at Nanyang Polytechnic before heading to the University of Sydney (UOS) for her bachelor’s degree in applied science (physiotherapy). While at Nanyang Polytechnic, Ms Lee was able to build a solid foundation of knowledge and skills needed for her job as a physiotherapist. Her one year at UOS was one of “consolidation” and “synthesis”, opening up new perspectives on topics that were essentially the same. She says: “The scholarship gave me a good mix of experiencing the local as well as overseas education,” says Ms Lee. “In addition, being bonded with a hospital after graduation was a good idea for me to be exposed to a variety of conditions and I believe I need the load to build up my experience.” Back in Singapore for just over a year, Ms Lee says it has been a “most rewarding and satisfying” experience at Tan Tock Seng Hospital so far. She was able to witness and play a big part in the progress of patients, to see the difference between their previously “debilitating state”, to the time when they were discharged. “Being able to see results of our efforts in making a difference to the quality of life of others continue to spur me on to better myself in this profession,” says Ms Lee.