Here is Chen Xi, a Senior Podiatrist at Ng Teng Fong General Hospital and a recipient of the MOHH Healthcare Merit Award, during a podiatry clinic session with a patient
Chen Xi, a Senior Podiatrist at
Ng Teng Fong General Hospital, spends her workday managing complex diabetic foot cases, overseeing patients, designing custom insoles and leading her team. Her role primarily involves treating patients suffering from diabetic ulcers, post-amputation wounds, and other foot-related complications, helping them regain mobility, reducing plantar pressure on wounds and overall improving their quality of life. While 90% of her work entails diagnosing and managing various conditions, she also dedicates time to studying and developing the current technology used for research, further advancing the field of podiatry.
With Singapore's
rising diabetic population, the need for specialised foot care is more urgent than ever. Podiatrists like Chen Xi play a crucial role in preventing and managing diabetes-related complications. Podiatry covers a broad spectrum, from diabetic foot care to musculoskeletal podiatry, and paediatric care. Whether treating painful conditions like ingrown toenails or helping athletes recover from foot injuries, the role of a podiatrist is to make sure patients of all ages can walk with ease and comfort.
Her Journey to Podiatry
While Chen Xi has always known that she wanted to join the healthcare sector, podiatry wasn't initially on her list. She carefully took her time to explore various fields and reflected on what suited her personality, interests, and skills.
“The hardest part about finding a specialisation is exploring what discipline I wanted to do, understanding what each discipline involves and what the work atmosphere is like," she shared.
It wasn't until a conversation with her school counsellor that podiatry first came into the picture. After hearing about Chen Xi's interests and strengths, the school counsellor then recommended she look into podiatry as a potential career path.
To find out more about podiatry, Chen Xi attended an Allied Health open day organised by
Alexandra Hospital, where she explored more specialisations and asked healthcare professionals questions directly. Still curious, she reached out to the NUH podiatry department and requested for a job shadowing opportunity to get a closer look at what the role truly entailed.
"(Between choosing disciplines), the exact body part involved in the work—whether it's the eyes or feet—that didn't matter. Rather it's the work atmosphere and style of work that mattered to me, whether I can do it or not," she explained.
Chen Xi was looking for a role that suited both her interest in healthcare and her dynamic personality. She took the time to understand the healthcare sector and the unique role of podiatry, ensuring she made an informed decision about her future specialisation.
The decision to study podiatry led Chen Xi to the
Queensland University of Technology in Australia, marking her first experience living abroad. While the independence was, in the beginning, daunting, it was also empowering.
“I was starting everything afresh—finding a new home, taking care of myself and trying not to get robbed," she admitted while laughing.
Managing everything from personal administration to excelling academically in her new school, she felt a newfound sense of self-reliance and independence.
Taken by Chen Xi during her time abroad, this candid image captured a moment when she realised the stars had indeed aligned for her journey.
The Impact of the MOHH Healthcare Merit Award
The financial support from the award allowed Chen Xi to focus fully on her four-year education.
Apart from covering tuition fees, the scholarship provided her with a stipend for living expenses and additional funding to attend international conferences, giving her access to the latest treatments and practices in podiatry.
Chen Xi wasn't just learning from textbooks—she was also attending conferences, networking with professionals, and attending additional courses where she gained insights far beyond what her coursework could offer.
Her overseas clinical attachments also gave her the opportunity to learn from the local community about their medical practices, especially regarding how podiatry integrates into their healthcare system.
Chen Xi stepping out of her university for the last time
Beyond the financial support and academic exposure, the scholarship also provided her with a network of fellow healthcare scholars who were also studying in Australia. This network gave her a strong sense of belonging and familiarity, which helped her navigate the challenges of living abroad.
“We would share where we could get good food, study materials, and even distribute exam snack packs during exam periods," she recounts fondly. She also remembered celebrating Singapore's National Day at a festival that the Singaporean community in Brisbane put together.
Dedication & Leadership
Chen Xi's dedication to podiatry and her relentless pursuit of excellence earned her recognition during her time in Australia. She was awarded the Phillip R. Perlman Prize by the Australian Podiatry Association for her outstanding performance in Radiograph Interpretation and was invited to join the university's College of Excellence.
Chen Xi also spends a portion of her workday in the workshop designing and making insoles for her patients.
Today, Chen Xi leads a clinical team as a Senior Podiatrist. She has also taken on an active role in shaping the future of podiatry in Singapore as an EXCO member of the Podiatry Association (Singapore). As an EXCO member, she is committed to promoting awareness about podiatry as a career, as well as supporting local podiatrists in their line of work.
Advice for Future Healthcare Scholars
Chen Xi's advice is simple yet profound: choose a path that aligns with your strengths and passions.
“Think about what you enjoy doing daily," she says. “No one can do everything well, so find out what you're good at."
She recommends reconciling with both sides—one's strengths and weaknesses, then choosing something that accommodates the weakness and plays on the strengths.
Is Podiatry for You?
Chen Xi's greatest work satisfaction comes from the meaningful human connection she builds with her patients through their visits.
For those considering podiatry, Chen Xi offers an important piece of advice. “It's a job where you need to be comfortable working independently and focusing on key details in each unique case," she suggests. Even when the cases are medically routine, there is always something interesting to learn from each patient. Chen Xi also adds that it is also important to find enjoyable things both at work and outside of work to keep oneself refreshed and connected.
To end off, she highlights two essential traits that are important for aspiring podiatrists:
1. A pair of nimble hands for delivering precise treatment and making insole devices for patients
2. Strong communication skills that are vital for discussing care plans with patients and coordinating with the medical team
Interested in learning more about podiatry? Watch Chen Xi
spill the tea about podiatry here.
MOH Holdings (MOHH) is offering local and overseas scholarships to nurture the next generation of Nursing, Pharmacy and Allied Health professionals. These scholarships are offered in partnership with public healthcare institutions and allow you to study in local or overseas universities. For more details on the health science disciplines (including Podiatry) offered, check out this page.