Singapore's "Mother of Nursing", Associate Professor Lim Swee Hia, has bagged the Her World Woman of the Year title for 2012/2013. The annual award by Singapore Press Holdings' magazine Her World began 22 years ago and is given to Singaporean women who have contributed to society, projected a good image of the nation, and are role models for other women.

Prof Lim, a senior director for SingHealth Alice Lee Institute of Advanced Nursing, is often credited for single-handedly raising the profile of nurses in the country and encouraging nurses to pursue higher qualifications. "The modern nurse is the thinking nurse," she told journalists at a press conference on Wednesday.

The Young Woman Achiever award was given to Dr Yeo Sze Ling who was recently highlighted by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong for her tenacity at the National Day Rally. The A-Star research scientist lost her sight after she was diagnosed with glaucoma at the age of four. However, this did not stop her from earning three degrees, including a PhD in Mathematics.

The ceremony was held at the Shangri-La Hotel where Speaker of Parliament and MP for Jurong GRC Madam Halimah Yacob was the guest-of-honour. She was a recipient of the award in 2003. Her World, published by SPH Magazines, is the best-selling women's title here.