Page 92 - NYAA GAHA 30th Anniversary "Service Beyond Gold"

Dr Mala Satkunanantham

Senior Consultant

Department of Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery
Tan Tock Seng Hospital
NYAA Council Member
NYAA Gold Award Holder (2008 Cohort)

Dr Mala Satku is a leading hand and reconstructive Her leadership extends to professional bodies,
microsurgeon whose career spans clinical excellence, including serving as Secretary of the Singapore
groundbreaking research, and dedicated youth Society for Hand Surgery (2025–2027) and being
leadership. As Senior Consultant at Tan Tock Seng appointed scientific chair for their annual scientific
Hospital (TTSH), she manages complex reconstructive meeting. She has served on examination boards,
cases and pioneers research in hand surgery, while helping to set standards for surgical practice
mentoring the next generation of surgeons. and education for both undergraduates and
postgraduates.
Her medical journey reflects a pursuit of excellence
from the start. A graduate of the Yong Loo Lin School Beyond her clinical and academic work, Dr Mala
of Medicine, NUS (2007), she trained in Orthopaedic has made lasting contributions to youth leadership
Surgery. She specialised in Hand Surgery, earning and community service. She has been an NYAA
her Master of Medicine (Orthopaedic Surgery, 2013) Council Member since 2021, previously serving as
and becoming a Fellow of the Academy of Medicine, Acting Chairperson (2019), Deputy Chairperson
Singapore (2021). Today, she plays a key role in (2014–2018), and long-time GAHA Executive
advancing microsurgical innovation and has won Committee Member. She has represented Singapore
awards for her work in enhancing osteoporosis care internationally, including as Head of Delegation at
for patients with wrist fractures. She has published the Singapore–Switzerland Youth Exchange (2012)
extensively in top peer-reviewed journals, is on the and APEC Voices of the Future (Beijing 2014), while
editorial board for the Journal of Hand Surgery (Asian co-chairing national initiatives such as the Leadership
Pacific) and is a reviewer for the Singapore Medical Speaker Series (2013–2016).
Journal.
Her commitment to community extends to grassroots
In medical education, Dr Mala is deeply committed to and humanitarian causes, including volunteering
shaping future professionals. She serves as Associate with It’s Raining Raincoats to support migrant
Programme Director of the Singapore Integrated workers, providing medical coverage at national
Programme for Hand Surgery Residency (since 2023), sporting events, and mentoring young leaders
Clinical Senior Lecturer at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of through the National Youth Council’s Advisory
Medicine, and Assistant Professor at Lee Kong Chian Mentorship Programme.
School of Medicine, where she has trained countless
undergraduates, residents, and fellows. For her Through her professional achievements and
service, she received the National Healthcare Group unwavering dedication to service, Dr Mala Satku
(NHG) Teaching Award for Senior Doctors (2023) and epitomises the GAHA ethos of ‘Service Beyond
the Top Twenty Teachers Award (2022). Gold’, inspiring both her patients and the broader
community with her compassion, resilience, and
leadership.

90 30 Years of Service and Leadership