About
Every year, an estimated 56.8 million people require palliative care, but only 14% of this number currently receive it.1 The world is in desperate need of clinician leaders and policy reform to raise the quality of care for the terminally ill.
The inaugural Cynthia Goh Palliative Care Fellowship (CGF) (Doctors only) aims to identify and develop the next generation of palliative care leaders in the Asia-Pacific region. Established in honour of the late Professor Cynthia Goh, a trailblazer of Singapore’s palliative care service, the CGF (Doctors only) seeks to create a regional fraternity that will advance the development of palliative care in the region.
Recipients can tailor their fellowship to individual needs and aspirations. It is implemented by the Asia Pacific Hospice Palliative Care Network (APHN) with support and direction from Lien Foundation.
The CGF (Doctors only) seeks to support 30 palliative care leaders over the next five years. At the end of the fellowship, the fellows will be equipped to advocate for:
- Laws that acknowledge and define palliative care as part of the healthcare system.
- National strategy for the implementation of palliative care.
- National standards defining how palliative care programmes must operate.
- Clinical guidelines for the delivery of palliative care services.
- Recognition of palliative care as a medical specialty or sub-specialty.
1https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/palliative-care
Applications are now OPEN for the next batch of fellows for the Cynthia Goh Palliative Care Fellowship (Doctors only) 2025!
Click here to apply.
From Individual Growth to Collective Strength: Partner with the Cynthia Goh Palliative Care Fellowship
By joining our collective vision, you are representing your country and participating in the research of human-centred co-design approach to develop a prototype for cancer palliative care upstreaming in South and East Asia.
Why Partner With Us?
By joining our collective vision, you will help:
- Empower Future Leaders: Support doctors in the Asia-Pacific as they develop clinical, advocacy, and leadership skills to advance palliative care.
- Shape Policy and Practice: Enable fellows to advocate for national strategies, standards, and recognition of palliative care as a medical specialty.
- Expand Impact: Build a regional fraternity of palliative care champions, inspired by the legacy of Professor Cynthia Goh.
How You Can Contribute
We invite partners from all sectors—hospitals, academic institutions, NGOs, foundations, and industry—to play a pivotal role:
- Validate and Amplify Our Vision: Engage your networks to promote the fellowship and encourage participation in our surveys and outreach.
- Facilitate Dialogue: Host or support discussions and events that raise awareness and foster collaboration in palliative care.
- Journey With Us: Collaborate in scaling this initiative—whether through mentorship, resource sharing, or advocacy.
- Support Servant Leadership: Join us in nurturing servant leaders who will drive sustainable change in palliative care.
Call to Action
Scan the QR code below or click here to instantly share your contact information, indicate your interest, and let us know how you’d like to support the Fellowship.
Fellows
Dr Naveen Salins
Designation: Head of Department
Organization: Kasturba Medical College
Region: India
Dr Neo Han Yee
Designation: Head of Department
Organization: Tan Tock Seng Hospital
Region: Singapore
Dr Rumalie Corvera
Designation: Chief Executive Officer
Organization: Ruth Foundation for Palliative and Hospice Care
Region: Philippines
Dr Sharon Choo
Designation: Head of Palliative Care Unit
Organization: Sarawak General Hospital
Region: Malaysia
Dr Shirlynn Ho
Designation: Head of Department
Organization: National Cancer Centre Singapore
Region: Singapore
Updates
Click on the posts below to find out what our fellows have been up to!
FAQs
Is the fellowship conducted fully in-person, hybrid, or online?
The CGF is a three-year hybrid program, combining online learning with in-person components. This flexible structure is designed to accommodate the professional commitments of our fellows.
What is the expected time commitment for the fellowship (daily/weekly)?
The fellowship lasts for three years. Fellows meet regularly on a monthly basis for virtual discussions and project exchanges centered on palliative care. In addition, there are ongoing mentorship opportunities and engagement with field experts.
Approximately how many vacation or leave days would I need to take from my institution to complete the fellowship?
Fellows are generally expected to travel for in-person sessions or conferences 2-3 times per year. Each in-person event typically requires a few days’ absence from your institution. The program strives to be flexible, and the exact number of leave days will depend on the final schedule and your personal engagement with fellowship activities.
If in-person, where will the training or activities take place?
In-person components are usually held at selected regional hubs or during relevant conferences, with specific locations communicated well in advance to allow for planning.
Are there any mandatory events, site visits, or workshops that require physical presence?
There may be mandatory events, site visits, or workshops that require physical presence. However, the program is tailored to individual needs and aims to minimize disruption to your ongoing work.