Margaret Lee

Margaret Lee
Education	Advanced Diploma in Critical Care Nursing Postgraduate in Healthcare Education Bachelor of Nursing Master of Health Science Certificate of Specialization in Strategy Certificate of Specialization in Leadership & Management Certificate of Specialization in Entrepreneurship & Innovation Credential of Readiness Certificate of Specialization in Business in Society Advanced Management Program
Alma mater	Nanyang Polytechnic La Trobe University Nanyang Technological University Singapore (NTU) University of Syndey Harvard Business School Online

Margaret Lee is a Singaporean nurse-leader who started work as a staff nurse in 2001 and, as of 1 January 2026, is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Alexandra Hospital (AH) under the National University Health System (NUHS).

Early life and education

Lee did not initially plan to enter healthcare; nursing was listed as her ninth choice after receiving her GCE O-Level results, but it was one of the few options open to her with her grades.

She went on to pursue a diploma in nursing at Nanyang Polytechnic, describing that period as a personal challenge after poor O-Level performance and early setbacks such as fainting during clinical attachment. She has said that encounters with patients during training helped her gradually see nursing as her calling, motivating her to stay and build a long-term nursing career.

In addition to her diploma and clinical training, Lee pursued further professional development. She holds a Master of Health Science (Management) from The University of Sydney and has completed leadership training, including programmes at Harvard Business School. She also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor, reflecting her broader engagement in nursing education and healthcare leadership.

Career

Nursing career beginnings

Margaret during her early days as a nurse. Photo from Channel News Asia.

After graduating, Margaret Lee began her clinical nursing practice in 1996, initially at National University Hospital (NUH), where she worked in critical care areas including dialysis coordination, liver care and transplantation support, and intensive care units (ICU).[4] She later served as a dialysis coordinator at NUH, caring for liver patients while also handling responsibilities such as equipment procurement and service coordination.

Over roughly the next 12 years, she worked in intensive care units and wards at NUH and was promoted regularly, about once every two years, while leading projects in nurse quality training and shared governance.

Leadership growth & recognition

In 2018, she moved to Alexandra Hospital as Chief Nurse, overseeing the development and operations of the nursing workforce as part of the NUHS nursing cluster. Her role was pivotal in preparing the nursing structure and team for future expansions, including community outreach, clinical care integration and competency development.

She became Alexandra Hospital’s inaugural Chief Nurse in 2018 and held that role until 30 June 2024. During which she developed the “Future of AH Nursing” roadmap and advanced nurse-led care models, acuity-based staffing, and cross-setting nursing practice including virtual nursing.

On July 1, 2024, Margaret Lee transitioned into executive leadership when she was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer (Deputy CEO) of Alexandra Hospital. Her appointment was notable as one of the first times a nurse attained such a senior hospital executive rank in Singapore since 2015, when Yishun Community Hospital’s Pauline Tan reached a similar level.

Notable achievements

During the COVID-19 period, she led rapid upskilling of nurses for intensive care surges, deployed nurses to workers’ dormitories, and helped set up community care and treatment facilities for stable patients.

Lee received the President’s Award for Nurses in 2021, the highest national accolade for nurses in Singapore, in recognition of her contributions to nursing practice and leadership.