To put it bluntly, Singapore is one of the best places in the world to fall ill. The country’s healthcare landscape is one of the most advanced, not to mention accessible and relatively affordable. Top-notch medical expertise and cutting-edge tech are readily found in its hospitals, clinics, and telemedicine platforms.
The system is becoming increasingly patient-focused, with an emphasis on preventive care, personalised treatment, and a seamless coordination across services. For Chin Wei Jia, Group CEO of HMI Medical, this is exactly what modern healthcare should be all about: Proactive and personalised.
Chin should know; she’s one of the leading figures spearheading this transformation. It’s this mindset that has moulded her leadership journey and the transformation of HMI Medical. Growing up in a family of doctors, her childhood was “shaped by both healthcare and enterprise”.
“My father… showed me the human side of care, responding to patients whenever they needed help,” she told PORTFOLIO. “My mother, Dr Gan See Khem, executive chairman of HMI Medical, modelled academic rigour, resilience and the ability to build institutions that uplift communities.” These early influences instilled in her the belief that private healthcare can and must serve the public good.
Blazer by COS
She joined HMI Medical during a critical period – in the early 2000s – when the organisation was navigating crises like the Asian Financial Crisis and the SARS outbreak. “Being part of HMI during that critical phase gave me invaluable exposure not just to the complexities of healthcare delivery, but also to the resilience needed to grow and lead through adversity,” she said. “I saw every challenge not just as a setback, but as an opportunity to serve better.”
It was this mix of purpose and perseverance that would later guide her expansion strategy and leadership style.
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- TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
- THE ENTREPRENEUR’S PLAYBOOK: PURPOSE, PEOPLE, PACE
- CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON
- LIFE BEYOND THE BOARDROOM
Transforming Healthcare Delivery
Under Chin’s leadership, HMI Medical has shifted from a traditional facility-centric model to an integrated, technology-enabled ecosystem.
“Instead of patients navigating fragmented services, I am building a connected network linking patients in Singapore and Malaysia with clinics, specialist centres, hospitals, digital platforms, wellness providers, and payors to create a seamless continuum of care that improves accessibility, coordination, and long-term outcomes,” she explained.
HMI Medical now supports more than 2,000 healthcare providers and offers managed healthcare services, early screening, chronic disease management, and workplace health programmes.
“Instead of patients navigating fragmented services, I am building a connected network linking patients in Singapore and Malaysia with clinics, specialist centres, hospitals, digital platforms, wellness providers, and payors to create a seamless continuum of care that improves accessibility, coordination, and long-term outcomes.”
“Technological advancements also play a critical role in enabling this impact,” she offered. “By developing our own proprietary digital tools, patients can access their medical records, manage appointments, and create trusted family networks independently.”
For Chin, the vision is clear: “The future of healthcare is not just reactive treatment – it’s proactive and personalised.”
- TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
- THE ENTREPRENEUR’S PLAYBOOK: PURPOSE, PEOPLE, PACE
- CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON
- LIFE BEYOND THE BOARDROOM
The Entrepreneur’s Playbook: Purpose, People, Pace
Chin’s leadership philosophy blends purpose with execution.
“Entrepreneurship has always been about serving with purpose and using business as a force for good,” she asserted. She advises young founders building mission-driven businesses to “build a team of people who are also aligned on your purpose and the mission. There will be turbulent times and during these moments of crisis, always lead with clarity, trust, and unity.”
She believes that “trusting your team, acting quickly with the best expertise, and working hand-in-hand with stakeholders across the ecosystem are essential.” By leading “with compassion, competence, and collaboration, with clear and consistent communication,” team members can be empowered to emerge stronger.
“Build a team of people who are also aligned on your purpose and the mission. There will be turbulent times and during these moments of crisis, always lead with clarity, trust, and unity.”
Her approach is now recognised beyond the boardroom: Chin was recently named EY Entrepreneur of the Year Singapore 2025, winning in the healthcare category, as well as the overall Entrepreneur of the Year award and the Family Enterprise Award Excellence 2025 – an accolade the judges praised as a nod to her “visionary leadership” and ecosystem strategy.
She will go on to represent Singapore at the global competition next year. For a CEO who talks about “impacting lives by providing high-quality healthcare at an affordable price,” the award is validation that purpose-linked growth can also win mainstream business accolades.
“I’m truly honoured to receive this award and to represent Singapore on such a global stage,” she reflected.
- TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
- THE ENTREPRENEUR’S PLAYBOOK: PURPOSE, PEOPLE, PACE
- CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON
- LIFE BEYOND THE BOARDROOM
Clouds On the Horizon
Scaling HMI Medical across multiple countries in Southeast Asia is not without its challenges. “As societies age, the biggest challenge we face is in building healthier communities for generations to come,” Chin explained. Each market has its own healthcare landscape and standards of health literacy, requiring careful study before launching services.
Her aim is to make quality care accessible and seamless, while maintaining the patient-centric philosophy that drives the Group. “Seeing patients receiving the right care at the right time and at the right price” is what brings her joy.
For Chin, the Group’s next chapter is about embedding care more deeply into communities and using technology to simplify the patient journey. From clinics to specialist centres, hospitals, and digital platforms, the goal is seamless, coordinated care that keeps people healthier for longer.
“I am most excited about simplifying healthcare experiences for more people and helping them stay healthier for longer, so they can lead their best lives,” she stated.
- TRANSFORMING HEALTHCARE DELIVERY
- THE ENTREPRENEUR’S PLAYBOOK: PURPOSE, PEOPLE, PACE
- CLOUDS ON THE HORIZON
- LIFE BEYOND THE BOARDROOM
Life Beyond the Boardroom
Despite her demanding role, Chin understands the importance of having a sense of balance. “I value maintaining some form of work-life balance and encourage my staff to do the same. Especially on weekends, I completely detach myself from work to spend time with family and friends.”
Chin’s antidote to intensity is refreshingly domestic: Weekends off, vacations when mentally drained, and an unlikely creative outlet: Baking. “[I enjoy] baking and experimenting with various desserts. The creative process helps me destress and I find it to be very therapeutic," she explained.
These personal rituals, simple yet deliberate, keep her grounded and sustain her capacity to lead a complex, multinational healthcare organisation.
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