FOUR TRADITIONAL CHINESE MEDICINE PRACTIONERS RECOGNISED AT INAUGURAL AWARDS

1.         Four Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners (TCMPs) were recognised for their outstanding contributions to the profession at the inaugural National Exemplary TCMPs Awards (NETA) on 23 May 2026. Guest-of-Honour Dr Koh Poh Koon, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Health & Ministry of Manpower, presented the awards at a ceremony co-organised by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Academy of Chinese Medicine, Singapore (ACMS).

2.          NETA is a national-level award which represents the highest accolade in Singapore’s Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) profession. The award recognises TCMPs registered with MOH's Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB) for their significant contributions in TCM clinical practice, training and education.

3.          Since the enactment of the TCMPs Act in 2000, the profession has seen robust growth, with mandatory registration ensuring practitioners meet training requirements and uphold professional standards, ethics and public safety. The establishment of NETA enables outstanding TCMPs to receive national recognition similar to their counterparts in other healthcare disciplines, and encourages the TCM sector to raise its professionalism, standards of care and adherence to best practices.

4.          There are two award categories – the Outstanding TCM Physician Award and Outstanding TCM Educator Award. The Outstanding TCM Physician Award recognises individuals who have contributed significantly to clinical work that elevates the quality and safety of TCM treatment, including supporting and facilitating research in their TCM institution or the community. This year’s Outstanding TCM Physician Award recipients are:

·       Professor Teo Eng Kiat, Deputy President, Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association

·       Dr Ang Liang, Advisor, Realm of Tranquility

 5.          The Outstanding TCM Educator Award recognises individuals who have contributed significantly to education through teaching and mentoring of TCM students and junior TCMPs. The recipients of this year’s Outstanding TCM Educator Award are:

·       Mr Ng Cheong Kim, Chief Senior Lecturer, Singapore College of TCM

·       Dr Goh Chye Tee, Adjunct Lecturer/Clinical Mentor, NTU Chinese Medicine Clinic, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU)

6.          Each awardee received a trophy, a certificate signed by the Minister for Health, and a $5,000 cash prize. More information on the award recipients can be found in Annex A. 

7.          The national award is open to all registered TCMPs from the public, private and community TCM sector, as well as educational institutions. The nominees were nominated by their institutions and evaluated by a panel chaired by Dr (TCM) Goh Kia Seng, President of ACMS. The panel comprised representatives from TCM organisations, non-practitioners, and medical doctors. More information on NETA is available on the ACMS website ↗ (opens in new tab).

Annex A: National Exemplary TCMPs Awards (NETA) recipients

Outstanding TCM Physician Awards

Professor Teo Eng Kiat

Deputy President, Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association

Chief Physician, Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution

Chairman, Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine

Professor Teo Eng Kiat has been practicing Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) since 1980, with over 45 years of clinical, academic and leadership experience. He has a special interest in TCM oncology and cancer palliative care and currently serves as Chief Physician and Advisor to the Tumor Specialty Group at Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution. As part of his clinical practice, he regularly treats patients with tumours and chronic diseases, contributing to their diagnosis and management whilst drawing upon his comprehensive understanding of modern medical concepts to help patients manage symptoms and improve their quality of life.

In 2002, Professor Teo was appointed by the Minister for Health as a member of the inaugural TCM Practitioners Board, where he participated in the establishment of the TCM practitioner registration system. Subsequently, he served as Chairman of the Examination Committee and the Academic Committee, overseeing the registration examination arrangements and the development of relevant training standards. He also spearheaded the development of a comprehensive continuing education framework, establishing the foundation for the continual professional development of TCM practitioners.

Between 2014 and 2025, Professor Teo served as President of the Singapore Chinese Physicians’ Association (SCPA). Under his leadership, SCPA strengthened the professional standards and promoted the recognition of TCM in Singapore’s healthcare system. He continues to participate in the Association’s work as Deputy President today.

Internationally, he has been actively involved in the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, having served as Vice-President and held positions in the Specialty Committee of Oncology and the Supervisory Committee, engaging in academic exchanges and collaborations related to TCM oncology and palliative care.

Professor Teo has been teaching at the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine since 1990 and served as Principal from 1998–2008, and in 2023. During his tenure, he spearheaded the College’s strategic partnerships with Nanjing and Guangzhou Universities of Chinese Medicine, establishing comprehensive teaching and exchange programmes that significantly enhanced the College’s teaching system and curriculum quality, thereby establishing a robust foundation for higher TCM education in Singapore. He currently serves as the Chairman of the College’s Board of Directors.

Professor Teo’s exemplary leadership and sustained contributions to clinical practice, education and professional affairs have established him as a respected senior TCM physician whose pioneering work has significantly elevated TCM standards and advanced the profession's standing within Singapore's healthcare landscape.

Dr Ang Liang

Advisor, Realm of Tranquility

Consultant TCM Physician, Ang Liang Medical Hall

A distinguished leader in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), Dr Ang Liang has made significant contributions to the advancement, regulation and integration of TCM in Singapore. Through visionary leadership and a sustained commitment to excellence, he has played a pivotal role in expanding access to care, strengthening professional standards and shaping the development of the TCM landscape locally and internationally.

During his tenure at Singapore Chung Hwa Medical Institution (SCHMI), Dr Ang oversaw the strategic expansion of services to better serve the community. Under his leadership, branch clinics were established in Yishun in 1995 and Woodlands in 2000. In 2005, with approval from the Ministry of Health (MOH), he spearheaded the establishment of a TCM outpatient centre at Changi General Hospital, marking the first co-location of TCM services within a public hospital setting. This milestone significantly enhanced the accessibility and recognition of TCM within Singapore’s healthcare system. By then, SCHMI had expanded beyond its Toa Payoh headquarters to a network of four branches located all over Singapore.

As a charitable outpatient institution serving more than 1,200 patients daily, the organisation operates on substantial annual costs supported largely by public donations. Recognising the need for efficiency and accountability, Dr Ang drove the computerisation of administrative and clinical processes and successfully secured ISO 9001:2000 quality management certification. These efforts strengthened governance, improved operational transparency and reinforced public confidence in the institution.

At the national level, Dr Ang played a key role in the professionalisation of TCM practice following the enactment of the TCM Practitioners Act 2000. Appointed by the MOH as Chairman of the Transitional Registration Committee under the TCM Practitioners Board, he led the registration of TCM practitioners in Singapore. This landmark effort granted practitioners legal status to practise and positioned Singapore as the first country outside China to implement a comprehensive national registration framework for TCM practitioners.

As Chairman of the Examination Committee, he also led extensive study visits to leading TCM institutions in China, including Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Zhejiang, Shandong and Heilongjiang. Drawing on these insights, he reformed Singapore’s TCM physician and acupuncturist licensing examinations. Enhancements included expanding the scope of clinical skills assessment to include cupping techniques, integrating acupuncture point selection and needling procedures into a unified assessment station, and strengthening clinical viva components with elements such as history taking and consultation skills. These reforms ensured rigorous evaluation of candidates’ clinical competencies and upheld high standards of practice aligned with Singapore’s healthcare needs.

In his role as Chairman of the Accreditation Committee, Dr Ang established a structured framework for the conditional registration of TCM practitioners. Through systematic evaluation and engagement with academic institutions, he expanded the list of recognised universities to include additional reputable TCM institutions in China. This strengthened the quality and credibility of recognised training pathways for TCM practitioners in Singapore.

Beyond regulatory and institutional contributions, Dr Ang has been instrumental in fostering international collaboration. Through leading multiple visits, he reinforced partnerships with Chinese regulatory authorities, universities, and professional organisations, promoting knowledge exchange and advancing the development of TCM.

In 2013, Dr Ang was appointed to MOH’s TCM Research Advisory Committee. In this capacity, he supported the evaluation and advancement of TCM research in Singapore, while facilitating the appointment of distinguished academic experts to the committee. These efforts have contributed to the growth of evidence-based practice within the field.

Demonstrating a strong commitment to professional development and community building, Dr Ang established the Academy of Chinese Medicine, Singapore in 2015 and served as its President until 2022. In the same year, he also founded the Singapore Alumni Association of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine, further strengthening professional networks and collaboration locally and overseas.

An accomplished academic contributor, Dr Ang has participated in the compilation of key publications, including the Encyclopaedia of Chinese Medicine: Paediatrics and the Clinical Guidelines for Common Paediatric Diseases in Traditional Chinese Medicine. He has also served as Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the paediatrics editorial committee of the World Federation of Chinese Medicine Societies, and authored scholarly works on the development of TCM in Singapore and global traditional medicine strategies.

Through his clinical leadership, transformative vision and unwavering dedication, Dr Ang has made a lasting impact on the advancement of TCM in Singapore. As he continues to champion excellence and innovation, he remains a key figure in shaping the future of TCM practice and education.    

Outstanding TCM Educator Awards  

Mr Ng Cheong Kim                                                                  

Chief Senior Lecturer

Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine 

Mr Ng Cheong Kim has been serving as a Lecturer and Clinical Mentor at the Singapore College of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) since 1991 and is currently the Chief Senior Lecturer. A key driving force in strengthening TCM education in Singapore, he has been actively involved in teaching and clinical training over more than three decades, delivering core subjects including TCM Basic Theory, Diagnostics, TCM Internal Medicine and Clinical Skills.

Having accumulated over 2,000 teaching hours, he employs case-based and problem-oriented pedagogical approaches to cultivate students clinical reasoning abilities, seamlessly bridging theoretical classroom learning with clinical application, whilst preparing them for registration examinations and professional practice. This methodology has benefitted over 9,000 students resulting in better clinical reasoning capabilities of newly registered TCMPs.

In 2005, Mr Ng led the formulation of the Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines for TCM practitioners in Singapore, formally integrating professional ethics into TCM education. Since 2001, he has served as Chair of the Ethics and Conduct Committee under the TCM Practitioners Board, contributing to the development and implementation of professional standards. His work has supported the incorporation of ethical practice into both teaching and practitioner registration, making professional conduct an integral part of TCM training.

From 2008 to 2013, Mr Ng served as Chairman of the College Board. During his tenure, he established the College’s vision, mission and values, implemented performance appraisal systems, and introduced ISO-based quality management frameworks. His visionary leadership supported the College’s registration and institutional development and strengthened its governance structure in line with regulatory requirements, thereby enhancing its reputation and impact.

He has also been advocating research and academic activities within the College, including the establishment of research funding and academic publication platforms. Through these efforts, he has encouraged faculty and students to engage in research and publication, while supporting the ongoing development and renewal of teaching content.

Internationally, Mr Ng has represented Singapore at regional traditional medicine forums and was appointed as Visiting Professor at Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine, contributing to academic exchange and international collaboration. He has also published research in both local and international journals, and continues to be engaged in clinical and educational work.

Mr Ng’s passion for teaching and enduring influence exemplify the essence of an exceptional educator who leads by example and inspires through transformative learning. His unwavering dedication and sustained contributions to pedagogical excellence, professional standards and institutional advancement have cultivated generations of TCM practitioners distinguished by both clinical competence and compassionate care.

Dr Goh Chye Tee

Adjunct Lecturer/ Clinical Mentor

NTU Chinese Medicine Clinic

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore

Dr Goh Chye Tee is a distinguished pioneer in the push to modernise and internationalise Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) education in Singapore. Widely regarded as one of the country’s renowned TCM educators, he not only established interdisciplinary TCM education platforms within local universities but also played a seminal role in shaping an innovative, interdisciplinary and globally relevant model of TCM education.

A scholar equally grounded in Eastern and Western traditions, Dr Goh possesses extensive interdisciplinary academic and professional qualifications. He began his academic career under an Australian university scholarship, specialising in accounting and finance. After graduation, he served as Associate Professor at Nanyang Technological University’s (NTU) Nanyang Business School and concurrently as Director of the university’s Continuing Education Centre. In a remarkable professional transition, he later pursued advanced training in TCM, earning a professional diploma, registration as a licensed TCM practitioner, and a doctoral degree in TCM from Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine China.

Dr Goh went on to hold numerous leadership and academic appointments at the university, including Director of the NTU TCM Clinic, Director of the Double Degree Program in Biosciences and Chinese Medicine jointly offered by NTU and Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM), as well as Clinical Mentor and Consultant Physician. Concurrently, he also served as adjunct lecturer and clinical instructor at the Singapore College of TCM, examiner for the national TCM Physicians’ Licensing Examination, and a member of the Credentials Committee under the TCM Practitioners Board. Through these diverse roles, he has nurtured cohorts of outstanding graduates and contributed extensively to national TCM education and regulation.

During his tenure as Director of the NTU-BUCM double degree programme, Dr Goh led continuous curriculum innovation, strengthening the integration of modern sciences with TCM education, and enriching theory and practical training through relevant collaborations and excursions. His educational philosophy emphasises bilingual proficiency and strong foundations in both TCM and modern science, thereby cultivating a new generation of practitioners that combines clinical excellence with professional ethics and a deep appreciation of Chinese cultural values.

Beyond formal institutional education, Dr Goh has been an active contributor to public health discourse. He regularly engages in media commentary, public lectures and policy discussions, and has published in both Chinese and English language journals.

A strong advocate of innovation, Dr Goh has promoted evidence-based approach in TCM education and research, and encouraged the use of modern technologies such as distance learning and artificial intelligence to advance the modernisation and internationalisation of TCM.

Exemplifying the national ethos of lifelong learning, Dr Goh continues to pursue professional development and continuing education programmes to further enhance his theoretical knowledge and clinical expertise even after retirement. He remains engaged in part‑time practice to stay attuned to contemporary health challenges, educating patients on preventive care and wellness amid clinical sessions.

In addition to his significant contributions to TCM education, Dr Goh leads by example in putting the ethos of lifelong learning into practice. Through perseverance and dedication, he has successfully accomplished interdisciplinary learning and professional transformation. His journey stands as an inspiring role model for students, professionals and lifelong learners alike.