When Mary Ann Tsao left Hong Kong for the US at the age of 12, it set her on the path of learning about social medicine how health outcomes often depend on one’s circumstances, such as poverty and gender.

When her grandmother set up the Tsao Foundation in Singapore in 1993 and asked her to run it, Dr Tsao brought that training and approach to pioneering a communitycentre care model here for the elderly. It helped them to age in place with initiatives like the Community for Successful Ageing in Whampoa. Though she faced sceptics then, today, that approach is at the heart of integrated care across an ageing Singapore.

WATCH MORE Singaporean At Heart:    • Singaporean At Heart | Full Episodes  

0:00 Introducing Mary Ann Tsao
2:58 Growing up with emigre’s ‘refugee mentality’
4:53 What is social medicine
5:12 Purpose behind the Tsao Foundation
8:18 Becoming a change agent, not just service provider
9:23 Facing its detractors
10:26 Community for Successful Ageing (ComSA) Whampoa
11:35 A pioneer social worker looks back
15:27 Philanthropy abroad: Tsao Family Foundation & UNHCR
17:30 Kanwaljit Soin on her old comrade
18:56 Pursuing better prospects for mature workers

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About the show: For decades, they have quietly contributed to Singapore in healthcare, social service, philanthropy and the arts. Join presenter Jo Tan to find out what they do, what drives them and why they consider themselves Singaporeans at heart.
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