From Play to Precision: Adaptive Sports, Assistive Technologies, and Integrated Care for Sustainable Rehabilitation
Learning Objectives:
By the end of this symposium, participants will be able to:
1. Understand the benefits and impact of adaptive sports in diverse community and nursing home settings.
2. Examine the role of assistive technology and robotics in enhancing rehabilitation outcomes and mitigating staffing challenges.
3. Explore principles of integrated, person-centered care models tailored to resource-limited environments.
4. Identify effective strategies for workforce development and sustaining long-term rehabilitation programs in nursing homes.
Symposium Convenor: Ms Aw Hui Zhen, Head, Allied Health Services, Methodist Welfare Services
Biography: Hui Zhen is the Head of Allied Health Services at Methodist Welfare Services (MWS). She spent several years in China supporting investors in the strategic development of a cancer rehabilitation hospital. With over 13 years of experience in community care and service innovation in Singapore, Hui Zhen provides leadership in strengthening cancer rehabilitation models of care, integrating technology into ageing services, and enhancing organisational capabilities through structured staff training and clinical governance. She believes that quality and patient safety are best achieved through intentional workforce upskilling and the effective use of technology to ensure sustainability and financial viability. Her vision for Singapore’s healthcare system emphasizes longevity services that empower elders to take an active role in their health, narrow the gap between health span and lifespan, and develop affordable, person-centred community healthcare models through interprofessional collaboration.
Speaker: Dr Raymond Leong, Group Director, Methodist Welfare Services
Title: Sustainable Care Models & Workforce Development
Biography: Dr Raymond Leong is the Group Director of Healthcare Services at Methodist Welfare Services (MWS), where he leads strategic transformation initiatives across nursing homes, senior care centres, homecare, home hospice, and active ageing centres. His work focuses on advancing financial sustainability while optimising manpower affordability and enhancing the quality of life for elders. He brings extensive experience from both corporate and community healthcare. Prior tojoining MWS, he served as Health Advisor for Shell Petroleum Pte Ltd and as Medical Director in Clinical Affairs at the Tsao Foundation, overseeing clinical governance, service design, and health policy implementation. Having held multiple appointments in primary healthcare, Dr Leong has cultivated broad experience in healthcare management and integrated care models. His leadership continues to drive innovative, person-centred, and sustainable care solutions in Singapore’s ageing landscape.
Speaker: Ms. Muthiah Vanitha, Principal Physiotherapist, Methodist Welfare Services
Title: Leveraging Technology for Enhanced Care
Biography: Vanitha has over 20 years of experience as a practicing Physiotherapist and is an alumnus of NUS. She currently serves as Principal Physiotherapist at MWS, which focuses on elderly care across Welfare Homes, Nursing Homes, and Senior Care Centres. As Head of Department at MWS Christalite Methodist Home, she oversees residents’ wellness and functional independence, ensuring programmes and activities are carefully tailored to optimise outcomes for elderly clients. She places strong emphasis on staff training, empowering colleagues with the knowledge and skills needed to enhance learning, competence, and professional development. Beyond her leadership role, she conducts multiple internal and external training sessions for healthcare professionals, contributing to sectorwide capability building. Vanitha also serves on the Corporate Communication Committee of the Singapore Physiotherapy Association. With a heart for serving the elderly, she is deeply dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the Allied Health, Community, and Social Service sectors.
Title: Adaptive Sports: Engaging Wellness and Rehabilitation
Biography: Brendon has 15 years of experience in developing programmes for seniors in community and nursing home settings. Prior to that, he was a Policy Analyst in Ministry of Health, reviewing MediSave and ElderShield policies. He was also the Assistant Director in SportCare - Sport Singapore, where he collaborated with AIC’s Healthy Ageing Department to create the “Fit & Fun Adaptive Sports Toolkit” for the Community Care Sector. He is currently a programme development Senior Manager in Methodist Welfare Services, operationalising adaptive sports programme for seniors in Active Ageing Centres, Nursing Homes and Welfare Home.
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