OUTSTANDING CATEGORY
Christine Lee
Managing Director
Medi-Life (M) Sdn. Bhd
No. 10 (2nd Floor), Jalan Pendaftar U1/54,
Temasya Industrial Park,
40150 Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel: 00603-5569 2699
www.medi-life.com.my
MARRYING DETERMINATION WITH OPPORTUNITY
“Determination is everything. If you are determined you can do anything you set your mind to. It’s about finding a way to make it happen. Where there is a will, there will be some sort of way - even if that means creating it yourself.”
It is no surprise that Christine Lee chooses determination as a formula for success. Coming from a family of 9, she and her 6 siblings grew up watching their mother tapping rubber and their father doing odd jobs in Ulu Yam Baru, a small village in Ulu Selangor, to support the family. It was a constant reminder that she needed to work hard and achieve academic excellence so she could make a difference in their lives.
Christine graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Tasmania, Australia. Majoring in Marketing & Human Resource, she returned to Malaysia for career opportunities. She came across two relevant vacancies when she was looking around for a sales job - a Product Specialist position with a small local company and a sales position with a multinational FMCG company. Her background meant that she always held the longterm view, so she eventually chose the former – the opportunity to assist surgeons in the operating theatre via a full training in France making the difference. That was the only time Christine interviewed for a job and worked for someone else.
Christine started her journey in the medical sector as a Product Specialist in 2000. Her diligence and discipline saw her quickly rise up the ranks. After getting training as a Scrub Technician, Christine become a Product Manager in 2002 before progressing further as a Sales Manager in 2004. However in 2008 the company she was working for decided to liquidate after a failed corporate merger. Instead of looking for new employment elsewhere, Christine saw an opportunity.
With three of her former colleagues, Christine leveraged on 8 solid years of experience dealing with surgical supplies to hospitals all over the country and established business relationships to start Medi-Life (M) Sdn. Bhd. as Managing Director. After 10 years, Medi-Life has grown into one of the leading distributors of healthcare products and services in Malaysia, culminating in an SMEs Best Brands Award 2017-2018 in Healthcare Solutions by BrandLaureate.
In the last decade, Medi-Life has become the dominant supplier of medical equipment and machineries for both government and private hospital operating rooms. “It will be a waste if internal company issues caused the loss of distributors and supplies of these products. We knew the opportunity presented itself for the business, but at the same time, our concern was to not let the liquidation disrupt hospital operations - these equipments are essential, especially in critical areas such as operating theatres.” Medi-Life started off supplying to both government and private hospitals. Close to 50% of its sales revenue come from private hospitals. It recorded a sales revenue of around RM40mil in 2017, after seeing a growth of around 10% annually.
Medi-Life specialises in medical equipment for operating theatres, including drapes and surgical kits, which make up a bulk of the company’s total sales. It also provides rental services and after-sales training for machineries such as electrotherapy and ultrasound machines. They are looking at future growth coming from the equipment and machinery rental business as many smaller private medical centres prefer to rent equipment such as ultrasound scanners, electrosurgical units and other higher-end equipment rather than buy them outright. This diversifies their revenue stream while allowing more access to modern machineries and equipment that medical centres otherwise couldn’t afford.
When Medi-Life started, it had only 4 staff members and supplied equipments and instruments for 1 agency line, operating from 1 ofice. Since then, it has grown into a 65-employee strong company, operating from 4 offices - Shah Alam (headquarter), Penang, Sarawak and Sabah - distributing for 23 agency lines. This distribution rights are exclusive - Medi-Life is the only company in Malaysia distributing equipments and instruments from these agencies.
Not bad for someone who never considered healthcare as a career choice, and was looking at the possibility of starting over 8 years into her career.
“This is my first and only industry and job. I think I am able to stay is because it gives me satisfaction and sense of accomplishment; a continuous learning and opportunity for me to use my creativity to manage and lead.”
“This is my first and only industry and job. I think I am able to stay is because it gives me satisfaction and sense of accomplishment; a continuous learning and opportunity for me to use my creativity to manage and lead.”
Growing up with her family background made Christine resourceful, resilient and responsible. “My upbringing taught me the importance of family and working together. Seeing my parents labouring with love for the family made me a hands-on person. I learned to be approachable, so I can connect to everyone at all levels. All my colleagues know that they can express themselves speak up to everybody in the company. We involve them in our decision making and we encourage them to share their creativity.”
It’s not surprise that 50% of their employees have been working in the company for more than 7 years, which is impressive considering the company is only 10 years old.
THE MEANING OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE
Working in the medical sector gave Christine a deep sense of gratification. “It gave me a sense purpose. Being able to do a part in helping patients - it’s meaningful. And gaining respect from doctors and nurses, despite not coming from a medical background, gave me a sense of accomplishment.”
“We believe health is a fundamental right of each individual and whatever we do ultimately impacts patient’s life. This serves as a moral compass guiding us in our daily decisions, decisions such as product selection & evaluation. On a daily basis, we receive tons of enquiry from manufacturers seeking distributors so we need to do our research before deciding. It is important for us to make sure our people are competent in doing their job.”
This belief is at the core of Medi-Life - “When Quality Healthcare Matters” is its corporate slogan. “It means we commit ourselves to make a positive difference in the lives of patients and those who care for them. We can achieve that by helping healthcare professionals deliver safer, more efficient and effective care.”
Medi-Life consider themselves healthcare professionals. And this is how Christine manages the work-life balance of Medi-Life staff. “Our 22,000 square feet office is designed with the welfare of the employees in mind. The building is equipped with facilities such as a full gym for employees to keep healthy, a cafeteria and even a rest room for nursing mothers to express milk. To Medi-Life, a staff without worries will give their undivided attention to the company and this in return, higher productivity.”
In pursuit of this belief, Medi-Life holds themselves to a high standard. With eyes on expanding their distribution network into the region, Medi-Life has set a bold mission statement - to become a world-class brand, to promote continuous education and provide consistent service.
But that isn’t the final destination for Christine and Medi-Life. “Making a positive difference in the lives of patients and those who care for them is the most rewarding aspect of my job. We want to do that by helping our customers deliver safer, efficient and effective care. But on top of that, we want the ensure that the company does well financially so we can give back to society.”
OUTSTANDING CATEGORY
Christine Lee
Managing Director
MARRYING DETERMINATION WITH OPPORTUNITY
“Determination is everything. If you are determined you can do anything you set your mind to. It’s about finding a way to make it happen. Where there is a will, there will be some sort of way - even if that means creating it yourself.”
It is no surprise that Christine Lee chooses determination as a formula for success. Coming from a family of 9, she and her 6 siblings grew up watching their mother tapping rubber and their father doing odd jobs in Ulu Yam Baru, a small village in Ulu Selangor, to support the family. It was a constant reminder that she needed to work hard and achieve academic excellence so she could make a difference in their lives.
Christine graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce from University of Tasmania, Australia. Majoring in Marketing & Human Resource, she returned to Malaysia for career opportunities. She came across two relevant vacancies when she was looking around for a sales job - a Product Specialist position with a small local company and a sales position with a multinational FMCG company. Her background meant that she always held the longterm view, so she eventually chose the former – the opportunity to assist surgeons in the operating theatre via a full training in France making the difference. That was the only time Christine interviewed for a job and worked for someone else.
Christine started her journey in the medical sector as a Product Specialist in 2000. Her diligence and discipline saw her quickly rise up the ranks. After getting training as a Scrub Technician, Christine become a Product Manager in 2002 before progressing further as a Sales Manager in 2004. However in 2008 the company she was working for decided to liquidate after a failed corporate merger. Instead of looking for new employment elsewhere, Christine saw an opportunity.
With three of her former colleagues, Christine leveraged on 8 solid years of experience dealing with surgical supplies to hospitals all over the country and established business relationships to start Medi-Life (M) Sdn. Bhd. as Managing Director. After 10 years, Medi-Life has grown into one of the leading distributors of healthcare products and services in Malaysia, culminating in an SMEs Best Brands Award 2017-2018 in Healthcare Solutions by BrandLaureate.
In the last decade, Medi-Life has become the dominant supplier of medical equipment and machineries for both government and private hospital operating rooms. “It will be a waste if internal company issues caused the loss of distributors and supplies of these products. We knew the opportunity presented itself for the business, but at the same time, our concern was to not let the liquidation disrupt hospital operations - these equipments are essential, especially in critical areas such as operating theatres.” Medi-Life started off supplying to both government and private hospitals. Close to 50% of its sales revenue come from private hospitals. It recorded a sales revenue of around RM40mil in 2017, after seeing a growth of around 10% annually.
Medi-Life specialises in medical equipment for operating theatres, including drapes and surgical kits, which make up a bulk of the company’s total sales. It also provides rental services and after-sales training for machineries such as electrotherapy and ultrasound machines. They are looking at future growth coming from the equipment and machinery rental business as many smaller private medical centres prefer to rent equipment such as ultrasound scanners, electrosurgical units and other higher-end equipment rather than buy them outright. This diversifies their revenue stream while allowing more access to modern machineries and equipment that medical centres otherwise couldn’t afford.
When Medi-Life started, it had only 4 staff members and supplied equipments and instruments for 1 agency line, operating from 1 ofice. Since then, it has grown into a 65-employee strong company, operating from 4 offices - Shah Alam (headquarter), Penang, Sarawak and Sabah - distributing for 23 agency lines. This distribution rights are exclusive - Medi-Life is the only company in Malaysia distributing equipments and instruments from these agencies.
Not bad for someone who never considered healthcare as a career choice, and was looking at the possibility of starting over 8 years into her career.
“This is my first and only industry and job. I think I am able to stay is because it gives me satisfaction and sense of accomplishment; a continuous learning and opportunity for me to use my creativity to manage and lead.”
Medi-Life (M) Sdn. Bhd
No. 10 (2nd Floor), Jalan Pendaftar U1/54,
Temasya Industrial Park,
40150 Shah Alam,
Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia
Tel: 00603-5569 2699
www.medi-life.com.my
“This is my first and only industry and job. I think I am able to stay is because it gives me satisfaction and sense of accomplishment; a continuous learning and opportunity for me to use my creativity to manage and lead.”
Growing up with her family background made Christine resourceful, resilient and responsible. “My upbringing taught me the importance of family and working together. Seeing my parents labouring with love for the family made me a hands-on person. I learned to be approachable, so I can connect to everyone at all levels. All my colleagues know that they can express themselves speak up to everybody in the company. We involve them in our decision making and we encourage them to share their creativity.”
It’s not surprise that 50% of their employees have been working in the company for more than 7 years, which is impressive considering the company is only 10 years old.
THE MEANING OF QUALITY HEALTHCARE
Working in the medical sector gave Christine a deep sense of gratification. “It gave me a sense purpose. Being able to do a part in helping patients - it’s meaningful. And gaining respect from doctors and nurses, despite not coming from a medical background, gave me a sense of accomplishment.”
“We believe health is a fundamental right of each individual and whatever we do ultimately impacts patient’s life. This serves as a moral compass guiding us in our daily decisions, decisions such as product selection & evaluation. On a daily basis, we receive tons of enquiry from manufacturers seeking distributors so we need to do our research before deciding. It is important for us to make sure our people are competent in doing their job.”
This belief is at the core of Medi-Life - “When Quality Healthcare Matters” is its corporate slogan. “It means we commit ourselves to make a positive difference in the lives of patients and those who care for them. We can achieve that by helping healthcare professionals deliver safer, more efficient and effective care.”
Medi-Life consider themselves healthcare professionals. And this is how Christine manages the work-life balance of Medi-Life staff. “Our 22,000 square feet office is designed with the welfare of the employees in mind. The building is equipped with facilities such as a full gym for employees to keep healthy, a cafeteria and even a rest room for nursing mothers to express milk. To Medi-Life, a staff without worries will give their undivided attention to the company and this in return, higher productivity.”
In pursuit of this belief, Medi-Life holds themselves to a high standard. With eyes on expanding their distribution network into the region, Medi-Life has set a bold mission statement - to become a world-class brand, to promote continuous education and provide consistent service.
But that isn’t the final destination for Christine and Medi-Life. “Making a positive difference in the lives of patients and those who care for them is the most rewarding aspect of my job. We want to do that by helping our customers deliver safer, efficient and effective care. But on top of that, we want the ensure that the company does well financially so we can give back to society.”