Mary Tham
Company: Merck Sharp & Dohme Singapore
Designation: Senior Occupational Health Nurse
Role in WHP Committee: Chairperson
No. of years doing WHP in Company: 8 years

What is your involvement in promoting health at your company?

As a Senior Occupational Health Nurse at MSD, I am engaged in advocating employee health and wellness as well as disease and injury prevention strategies. In order to facilitate an effective, sustainable and multi-dimensional Workplace Health Promotion (WHP) programme, I take the following approach:

• foster a committed partnership with MSD’s Global Medical personnel, senior management and members of the WHP team
• understand and apply HPB’s WHP framework, global and national health trends
• act as role model to influence employees in their wellness perceptions and motivate them to make lifestyle changes

What are some of the challenges you faced?

Since each employee’s level of well-being differs, outreach strategies have to be carefully designed to achieve maximum efficiency and effectiveness. Evaluation and implementation plans must include a meaningful programme needs analysis. Having been a WHP facilitator for many years, with both my previous and current employer, there is a tendency to become complacent. So it is a challenge to constantly fuel my energy and creativity in order to lead effectively as a health promoter.

How do you overcome the challenges?

MSD’s vision of WHP excellence and senior management’s recognition play a key role and I take pride in being a leader in this arena. My primary vocation in occupational health also enables me to interact closely with all levels of staff and across business units that deal in all facets of employee health management.

What do you find most rewarding about your role in promoting health at your company?

First and foremost, when employees make and sustain positive lifestyle changes to improve their well-being. I also find it rewarding when staff and their family members show their appreciation for my efforts.

What advice do you have for fellow health promoters?

Understand the concept of WHP and what it is all about. Be interested and committed to impact the workforce positively and make a difference for yourself and others!