Advancing Community Stroke Rehabilitation in Singapore: Evidence, Integration and Adaptive Innovation
Learning objectives:
By the end of this symposium, participants will be able to:
Understand Singapore Stroke Rehab Guidelines from creation to impact, including practical tools to apply in one’s clinical practice
Apply strategies to bridge stroke care from acute to community
Create a sustainable care for stroke survivors in the community through adaptive innovations.
Symposium Convenor and Speaker: Mr. Cheng Guang Hao, Head of Clinical Programmes and Corporate Services, Stroke Support Station (S3)
Title: Introduction: Stroke landscape and need for change, from evidence, integration to adaptation.
Biography: Guang Hao is currently overseeing both the Clinical Programmes and the Corporate Services department at S3. His area of responsibility covers the strategic growth of the clinical services, operating efficiency, and finance of the organisation. Through the work in S3, the organisation has successfully seen significant growth in the past 3 years, tripling in both manpower and operating budgets. His area of expertise is in programme development, strategic development for systems level change, and organisational development.
Speaker: Dr Kwah Li Khim, Associate Professor, Senior Principal Physiotherapist, Singapore Institute of Technology & Singapore General Hospital
Title: Singapore Stroke Rehabilitation Guidelines: Development and Implementation
Biography: Khim is a Senior Principal Physiotherapist at the Singapore General Hospital and holds joint appointments at the Singapore Institute of Technology (Health and Social Sciences Cluster) and the Ministry of Health (Chief Allied Health Officer’s Office). A physiotherapist and rehabilitation researcher, she has more than 20 years of clinical, academic, and policy experience focused on improving stroke rehabilitation and community-based care. She co-chairs the Singapore Stroke Rehabilitation Guidelines committee and contributes to the World Stroke Organization Rehabilitation committee, which is pilot-testing the Stroke Rehabilitation Excellence Criteria in 15 centres across low- and middle-income countries to strengthen global stroke rehabilitation services. Recognized as one of two Singaporeans in the inaugural World Stroke Organization Future Stroke Leaders program (2020–2022), Khim’s expertise is in neurological rehabilitation, evidence-based practice and guideline-based care. Her current ministry and research efforts aim to close the gap between research evidence and stroke rehabilitation practice.
Speaker: Mr. Lin Liecong Alex, Physiotherapy Lead, Senior Principal Physiotherapist, AWWA, Outsources Services
Title: Stroke Rehab Ecosystem: Innovating a holistic community stroke care program
Biography: With over a decade of experience in acute healthcare, Alex is a specialist in neuro-rehabilitation and a keen advocate of community-based clinical research. Having earned his Master’s in Physiotherapy (Neurology) from Keele University, his expertise centers on motor relearning and driving innovation in stroke recovery. Alex currently leads a 34-strong physiotherapy team at AWWA, managing strategic deployments across social service agencies. As the Clinical Lead for AWWA’s Stroke Care Ecosystem, Alex oversees a pioneering high-frequency model of post discharge care for stroke patients. This initiative provides up to five therapy sessions weekly at the AWWA Day Rehab Centre for stroke clients transitioning from Tan Tock Seng Hospital. Alex is committed to elevating community clinical standards and championing holistic care, aiming to maximize functional participation and long-term recovery for clients transitioning back to the community.
Speaker: Ms Goh Shi Min, Clinical Lead, Principal Physiotherapist, Stroke Support Station (S3)
Title: Beyond Therapy: Adaptive Gym for Stroke Recovery
Biography: Shi Min brings over a decade of wide-ranging physiotherapy experience, spanning neurological, geriatric, and cardiac rehabilitation. She spent her initial years in a public healthcare institution refining her clinical expertise and developing a strong interest in neurorehabilitation. During this time, she also designed and delivered training programmes to upskill healthcare professionals, allied health professionals, nurses and support staff, strengthening capabilities within ward-based neurological care. She later advanced her career as a Senior Clinical Specialist in the rehabilitation field, where she deepened her knowledge in innovative therapies and collaborative care approaches. Shi Min now leads the clinical team of S3, driving improvements to service structures and championing person-centred care. She has a special interest in exploring what lies beyond traditional therapy for stroke survivors—pioneering approaches that support long-term recovery, reintegration, and meaningful participation in the community.
