Founder of IDHealth clinic named Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2025

Dr Chen Shiling, founder of Happee Hearts Movement and its IDHealth clinic, has been named The Straits Times Singaporean of the Year 2025, in recognition of her work improving healthcare access for people with intellectual disabilities. The award was presented by President Tharman Shanmugaratnam at Temasek Shophouse.

Dr Chen started IDHealth to provide community-based, multidisciplinary care tailored to adults with intellectual disabilities — a group often underserved in mainstream healthcare. Since its launch, the clinic has supported about 500 patients and more than 1,000 caregivers.

Dr Chen said she plans to donate half of her cash prize back to her patients and team, and give the remaining half to other non-profit organisations.

[Source: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/community/doctor-who-started-clinic-for-people-with-intellectual-disabilities-is-st-singaporean-of-the-year]