In the News
A Reflection of HMI Medical's Corporate Milestone Achievements
Group CEO, Chin Wei Jia, reflects on her leadership journey as HMI celebrates more than 25 years in healthcare
This is a translated article that first appeared in Lianhe Zaobao.
18 December 2024
Share

A Dream Deferred
In 2002, Chin Wei Jia was just embarking on her PhD program at the prestigious Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. Her dream was to work at global institutions like the World Bank, making a meaningful impact by improving the lives of people worldwide. This ambition was the driving force behind her studies in economics and international relations.
However, a transcontinental phone call from her mother, Dr. Gan See Khem, altered her path dramatically. During the call, Dr. Gan asked if Wei Jia could return to Singapore to assist with restructuring HMI Medical, the healthcare company co-founded by her father, Dr. Chin Koy Nam. At the time, Wei Jia had never considered a career in business, much less joining the family enterprise. Yet, with a spirit of experimentation, she decided to return, intending to leave once the restructuring was complete.
Challenges at Home
Wei Jia’s return coincided with a tumultuous period for the global economy. The 2001 September 11 attacks had caused economic instability, exacerbated by the bursting of the dot-com bubble and the aftermath of the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. In Singapore, these shocks led to a decline in overseas medical tourists, which significantly impacted HMI Medical’s operations.
HMI Medical, then operating a single 60-bed facility at Balestier Medical Centre, struggled as international patient numbers dwindled. With the company facing severe challenges, Wei Jia joined as a management trainee under the mentorship of the CEO. “I was lucky to have a front-row seat to learn how decisions were made during crises,” she recalls.
“There are no shortcuts in navigating crises. The most critical factors are perseverance and trust.”
Chin Wei Jia, Group CEO of HMI Medical
Grit in the Face of Adversity
Hospital management requires significant investment, with major equipment upgrades needed every 8 to 10 years. During this downturn, HMI faced tough decisions: Should they invest in hopes of a recovery or cut their losses? Wei Jia vividly remembers the difficult restructuring process involving negotiations with creditors and difficult conversations with staff about layoffs and transitions.
“There are no shortcuts in navigating crises,” she shares. “The most critical factors are perseverance and trust.” She immersed herself in the details, from preparing business plans to conducting late-night strategy sessions, and led conversations about the company’s transformation.
Building a Diverse Healthcare Ecosystem
Under Wei Jia’s leadership, HMI returned to the Singapore market, addressing the rising costs of healthcare and insurance premiums. In 2018, the group launched the StarMed Specialist Centre in Farrer Park, later rebranded as the HMI Medical Centre. The facility provides a wide range of services, including minimally invasive surgeries, creating a “mini-hospital” without emergency or intensive care units.
To this end, HMI acquired MHC Asia Group, a local health-tech company specializing in preventive care, health screenings, and wellness programs.
“We are building an ecosystem. Healthcare is not just about treating patients; it’s about engaging with them before they fall ill, promoting awareness and prevention.”
- Wei Jia explains
Expanding Through Mergers and Acquisitions
HMI’s growth strategy involved several acquisitions, including stakes in Advanced Urology Associates and Harley Street Heart and Vascular Centre. In 2019, Swiss private equity firm EQT delisted HMI in a $600 million deal, paving the way for private expansion. In 2023, HMI attracted investment from Apollo Global Management.
Today, HMI employs over 2,500 staff, collaborates with 400 doctors, and serves more than three million patients annually. Revenue has doubled over the past five years, with Singapore’s contribution to the group’s income rising from under 5% to nearly 40%.

Personal Growth Amidst Professional Challenges
Despite HMI’s growth, Wei Jia remains grounded. Her father, Dr. Chin Koy Nam, now in his 80s, continues to see patients daily, while her mother, Dr. Gan, serves as Chairperson, focusing on strategic partnerships. Both parents are “doctors” in title and practice, leaving Wei Jia to reflect on her initial PhD aspirations: “Perhaps I’ll revisit that dream someday.”
Wei Jia’s younger brother, Chin Wei Yao, brought his private equity expertise to HMI about a decade ago, enriching the family business with analytical rigor.

From “Boss’s Daughter” to Proven Leader
Initially self-conscious about being labeled “the boss’s daughter,” Wei Jia worked tirelessly to earn her stripes. Her first major challenge after returning to HMI was reviving an abandoned hospital in Johor’s Bandar Seri Alam. Opened in 2008 as Regency Specialist Hospital, the facility struggled under successive CEOs. At 33, Wei Jia took on the role of hospital CEO, navigating a steep learning curve and proving her mettle. Within a year, Regency turned profitable.
“Leading a team of experts older and more experienced than me was daunting,” she admits, but she prioritized collaboration and strategic planning.

Empowering Through Education
HMI’s transformation also included founding the HMI Institute of Health Sciences to address Singapore’s structural unemployment. The institute trains over 30,000 healthcare professionals annually, contributing significantly to the sector.
Looking Ahead
As HMI scales new heights, Wei Jia emphasizes the importance of resilience and diversification. Drawing lessons from past crises, she remains committed to steering the group toward sustainable growth while fostering an inclusive healthcare ecosystem.
Wei Jia’s journey exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance, adaptability, and purpose-driven leadership.