Dr. Lee Mun Heng is the Aesthetic Doctor and Founder of Beyond Medical Group. His journey began at the prestigious University of Cambridge, where he earned his Bachelor of Medicine & Surgery thanks to a scholarship from the Cambridge Commonwealth Trust, with the patronage of His Majesty King Charles III. This privilege greatly influenced his remarkable career in healthcare. Dr. Lee’s turning point came when he became a founding partner and the first one on the ground, pushing him out of his comfort zone. This experience honed his leadership skills and prepared him to thrive in the dynamic healthcare industry.
As stated by Dr. Lee, a healthcare leader must possess traits prevalent across all industries. They should have outstanding communication and execution skills and be approachable, resilient, and charismatic. Additionally, they must have “translational” skills to successfully balance the interests of all parties involved, from the Board and Shareholders to partners, workers, and clients. Dr. Lee exemplifies how to achieve the challenging task with finesse through his leadership.
Beyond Medical Group: Visionary Beginnings With Unique Purpose
Dr. Lee and his angel investor, veteran entrepreneur of Thai Express Mr. Ivan Lee, established Beyond Medical Group nearly a decade ago in 2011 under Beyond Wellness Group. Their shared vision was to create a specialized group that would elevate the service standards of the healthcare industry, drawing inspiration from the hospitality and airline sectors.
“We noticed that many private medical facilities felt cold, clinical, and impersonal,” states Dr. Lee. While Singapore boasted a mature private healthcare system, Dr. Lee and his team recognized a prevalent issue. Many private medical facilities seemed devoid of warmth and personal touch, leaving patients feeling like mere numbers in a mechanical process. This observation drove them to fill a crucial gap in the market by providing bespoke, personalized medical services.
Beyond Medical Group assembled a prestigious team of specialist colleagues to achieve their vision within a luxurious and welcoming environment. By merging expertise with personalized service, they redefined the patient experience. After a decade of dedication, Beyond Medical Group has blossomed into a comprehensive specialist group encompassing many specialties. From Interventional Cardiology to Plastic Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Neurosurgery, they offer an extensive range of high-quality medical care services. What sets Beyond Medical Group apart from its competitors is its commitment to delivering exceptional standards of medical care. With 16 specialist clinics operating under their parent company, they have established themselves as a prominent regional force.
Multifaceted Leader Guiding the Future
Dr. Lee has held many vital roles within Beyond Medical Group. As the CEO, COO, CFO, and CMO, he faced numerous challenges while assembling a team to lay the organization’s
foundation. Sleepless nights and moments of doubt tested his resolve, making him question whether starting Beyond Medical was the right decision.
However, Dr. Lee’s determination grew stronger with each setback, and every accomplishment fueled his ambition. Although his personal life and well-being suffered, he remains resolute, asserting that he would willingly undertake this journey again without hesitation. As the group expanded and matured, the burden on Dr. Lee gradually eased, allowing him to step down as CEO after seven years of tireless dedication.
Dr. Lee entrusted the reins of leadership to the capable hands of Ms. Elayne Soh, the current CEO, who has excelled in propelling the group to new heights. Under her outstanding leadership, Beyond Medical Group has expanded rapidly from 5 to 16 clinics today and is gearing up to venture overseas. This transition has allowed Dr. Lee to redirect his focus toward his clinical work, leveraging his expertise to provide invaluable strategic guidance to the board.
The Transformed Team and Pathways to Team Success
In early 2020, Elayne assumed the leadership role, succeeding Dr. Lee as the head of the organization. Under the remarkable guidance of Dr. Lee and Mr. Ivan Lee, Elayne Soh, the current CEO of Beyond Medical Group, has experienced an extraordinary period of expansion and growth. From five clinics and medi-spa when she joined, the organization has rapidly flourished, now proudly standing as a robust network of 16 clinics, each delivering exceptional healthcare services to a growing number of patients in less than 3 years.
This meteoric rise in both size and influence is a testament to Ms. Soh’s unparalleled strategic acumen, her ability to foster a culture of innovation and collaboration and her dedication to the well-being of both patients and staff. With a steadfast focus on delivering high-quality care, Ms. Soh has propelled Beyond Medical Group to the forefront of the healthcare industry, garnering widespread recognition for its exceptional standards and patient-centric approach. “The Group is strategically positioning to bring its groundbreaking healthcare services and transformative expertise to more global audience,” said Elayne, who has recently started two regional representative offices in Vietnam and Indonesia. This bold move not only showcases Ms. Soh’s astute business acumen but also highlights her deep commitment to ensuring that Beyond Medical Group remains at the forefront of innovation and excellence, both locally and internationally.
Achieving the remarkable accomplishments of Beyond Medical Group necessitated the presence of a high-performing team, which can be attributed to the organization’s focus on employee motivation and development. A key factor in maintaining a motivated workforce at Beyond Medical Group is the provision of clear career pathways and opportunities for progression. By offering employees a well-defined trajectory for growth and advancement, the organization ensures that team members are engaged, motivated, and driven to excel in their respective roles. This collective commitment to excellence and personal growth fuels the performance-driven team at Beyond Medical Group, enabling them to achieve remarkable outcomes and drive the organization towards even greater success.
Insights into Technology and Trends
Dr. Lee and Elayne Soh, reflecting on the changing healthcare landscape, acknowledge the transformative impact of social media. Gone are the days of solely relying on classified newspaper columns to reach potential patients. With the advent of Google searches, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok, Beyond Medical Group has successfully expanded its outreach to a wider audience. Through informative videos and interviews, their doctors can now connect with potential patients from the comfort of their homes. Dr. Lee predicts that Telemedicine will be the next frontier, gaining wider adoption soon, enhancing the accessibility and convenience of healthcare services.
Embracing the buzz surrounding AI, Elayne Soh, emphasizes the practical benefits it brings to the field of surgery. With a commitment to innovation, the organization has recruited experienced surgeons with cutting-edge robotic surgery training, enabling them to harness the precision and dexterity of robotic arms to perform intricate procedures with enhanced accuracy and reduced invasiveness. As a result, patient outcomes have been enhanced, with shorter recovery times and minimized post-operative complications becoming a reality. Beyond Medical Group’s adoption of such advancements aligns with their vision of providing the best possible care, leveraging AI to optimize surgical outcomes and positively impact patient recovery.
Wise Business Advice
As a seasoned leader in the healthcare industry, Dr. Lee shares valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs and business leaders looking to enter this challenging field. Drawing upon the metaphorical wisdom that entrepreneurs are the ones who jump first and figure out the landing along the way, Dr. Lee emphasizes the importance of taking that initial leap of faith. On the other hand, administrators meticulously plan their landing strategies before deciding whether to jump. He underscores the significance of entrepreneurial and administrative mindsets, as both are necessary to build a thriving company. Elayne Soh, on the other hand, attributes her group’s achievements to her unwavering grit and determination, recognizing it as a vital quality needed to overcome corporate challenges.
“Embrace your passions, set your goals, and make sure you have the conviction, and then enjoy the ride no matter how tough it gets.” concludes Dr. Lee.
Quotes
Also Read: The 10 Prominent Leaders in Healthcare, 2023
