Published on 15 Jul 2024

Building World-Class Healthcare Ecosystems

NBS Nanyang EMBA Alumnus Dr Koh Hau Tek integrates his medical and business experience to deliver healthcare benefits to patients on a larger scale.

After being a doctor for more than 10 years, Dr Koh Hau Tek wanted to do more. He was prompted to venture beyond his comfort zone and sought a new career path in business development and corporate strategy. This transformation has enabled him to successfully integrate both his medical and business skillsets to achieve greater heights.

As the Chief Medical Officer of GWS Medika (Member of Sinar Mas), he is dedicated to scaling up the primary and secondary healthcare ecosystems in Jakarta, Indonesia to deliver the benefits of world-class clinical services to more patients.

We spoke to Dr Koh to learn more about his unconventional career moves, achievements, the advice he has for students, and how being an NBS Alumnus has contributed to his growth.



What interesting facts can you share about your career journey?

At the age of 40, after being a medical doctor for many years, I was searching for a greater purpose and hungry for fresh insights to improve professionally.

Venturing off the beaten track, I completed the Nanyang EMBA programme and secured a Business Development position at Certis Cisco. This career move was not directly related to the medical industry but required me to be involved in mergers and acquisitions of healthcare organisations. The network I developed from this role was very wide and it also brought about abundant opportunities. 

The business training and exposure allowed me to eventually combine the roles of a physician and a manager to deliver healthcare innovations on a much larger scale. 


What are your greatest career achievements?

My greatest achievements include delivering bigger and better healthcare systems in my previous roles with Parkway Shenton, Raffles Medical Group, and Jiahui International Hospital ecosystem in China. 

Between 2019 to 2023, I set in place the processes and staff training for the Jiahui International Hospital ecosystem, which provided leading global healthcare resources and comprehensive medical expertise to patients in China. Jiahui International Hospital is the largest foreign-funded international private hospital system in Shanghai, with a team of more than 300 full-time doctors and medical specialists from across the globe. This large-scale integrated healthcare system includes a 500-bed international hospital, numerous outpatient healthcare facilities to serve communities across several Chinese cities.

 

What are some valuable lessons you've learned along your career journey?

Adopt a global mindset with a firm grasp of local knowledge. Cultural intelligence and ability to adapt and integrate are highly important in multicultural teams, so I aim to stay humble and also to respect the intricacies of the local environment.

Recognise that the typical Western or Singaporean or developed country approach is not the only way to get things done.

Geopolitics, economics, and local regulations are closely intertwined, so do be mindful of these and manage them with care and deliberation. 

 

How has being an NTU Alumnus contributed to your career growth?

Participating in events organised for alumni in Singapore and overseas has allowed me to establish and maintain valuable professional connections. The strong NBS and NTU alumni network gave me much opportunities to meet alumni from different industries and of different seniorities. Staying connected to NBS has kept me informed about developments in various fields that impact my industry, ensuring that I remain current and adaptable in a rapidly changing environment.

 

What advice do you have for current NBS students and young alumni in the early stages of their careers?

Network for opportunities 

Networking is critical as it helps to open doors to improve your career and professional outlook. It helps you to stay relevant, keep up with the latest in industry developments, and anticipate trends to spot the next big wave.

Venture beyond your comfort zone 

Working in developing countries away from Singapore might seem like a step down, but you will gain much exposure and experience. In my journey, the majority of people I have met and known who have made such moves whether regionally or globally have mostly done very well, showing the value of these cross border experiences.

Dream big and dream far. Don’t be confined by your current career status. Have faith and confidence, which lead to courage to transform and move along new trajectories.

Manage your time and prioritise

As time is limited, the harsh reality is that there will always be sacrifices you will have to make as you attempt to balance professional and personal commitments. Hence, it is crucial to set your priorities straight and manage your time.