Together with international nursing partners, Anh worked closely with Vietnamese nurses to support national oncology nursing education programmes and, more recently, a stem cell transplant nursing taskforce.

But the goal was never simply to deliver training.

For Anh, meaningful global health work begins with listening. Instead of replicating Singapore’s healthcare practices wholesale, she believes in sharing evidence-based principles and clinical experience in ways that can be adapted to local needs, priorities and resources.

“Global health is not a one-way transfer of knowledge,” she reflects. “While we share our experiences and expertise, we learn just as much from our partners.”

That spirit of mutual learning has shaped the way she works. In Vietnam, she saw nurses attending virtual training sessions after long workdays, often late into the evening, driven by a desire to strengthen their practice and improve patient care. Their dedication became one of her strongest motivations to continue contributing.

Over the years, Anh witnessed a quiet but powerful transformation. Nurses who were once hesitant to speak up began sharing ideas, questioning practices, advocating for patients and contributing more confidently as members of multidisciplinary teams. Some went on to establish professional networks, lead educational initiatives, and present their work at national and international conferences.

For Anh, this has been one of the most fulfilling parts of the journey.

“It reminds me that empowering nurses creates a ripple effect that extends far beyond an individual nurse, ultimately improving care for countless patients and families,” she says.