CEO Insights Magazine

With a distinguished background in medi­cal expertise, particularly in minimally invasive thoracic surgery, coupled with extensive experience in hospital admin­istration, Prof. Dr. Lau Hui-Ping, the CEO and Medical Director of UTAR Hospital is a distinguished figure in the healthcare domain. He holds a notable track re­cord at Chang Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan and leadership roles at various healthcare institutions, including BenQ Hospital in Nanjing and Beijing New Journey Cancer Hospital, he brings a wealth of inter­national hospital management experience.

Dr. Lau's professional journey reflects a commit­ment to non-profit medical undertakings, character­ized by a mission centered on social responsibility, pa­tient-centric care, and sustainable management. His strategic focus encompasses ensuring patient safety, satisfaction, and positive outcomes, underpinned by transparent and rational hospital management sys­tems.

At UTAR Hospital, Dr. Lau emphasizes talent culti­vation, the integration of advanced technologies, and the installation of state-of-the-art equipment. This ap­proach not only enhances medical standards but also contributes to the hospital's overall sustainability. Recognizing the challenges faced by new hospitals, Dr. Lau and his management team are dedicated to formulating comprehensive rules, refining guidelines and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and col­laborating with staff to provide excellent quality ser­vice, ensuring the steady development of UTAR Hospi­tal. Let’s hear from him in this interaction.

Describe UTAR Hospital's position in the healthcare sector.

UTAR Hospital distinguishes itself within the health­care sector by operating on a not-for-profit basis, set­ting it apart from profit-centric models. Any excess funds generated are reinvested into improving ser­vices, facilities, and community outreach initiatives. The hospital's core principle of being 'for the people, by the people' underscores its strong dedication to community-centric healthcare.

Originally established as a private teaching hos­pital affiliated with Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman, UTAR Hospital seamlessly integrates healthcare de­livery with medical education. It serves as a platform for medical students, residents, and healthcare practi­tioners to gain practical experience, contributing sig­nificantly to the advancement of medical knowledge and skills.

Through these defining characteristics, UTAR Hospital occupies a distinctive and significant posi­tion in the healthcare landscape. It combines a stead­fast commitment to community welfare, education, and the provision of high-quality healthcare services.

What are the factors you take into account when developing effective corporate growth strategies?

As the CEO and Medical Director of UTAR Hospital, crafting effective corporate growth strategies in­volves a holistic approach. Understanding the com­munity's demographics and healthcare needs guides the identification of service gaps and competitive advantages. Financial evaluations assess growth fea­sibility aligned with available resources. Upgrading infrastructure and implementing digital health solu­tions ensure scalability and operational efficiency.

Addressing staffing needs through training pro­grams and recruitment prepares for service expan­sions. Prioritizing a patient-centric approach en­hances overall care, focusing on improved services, communication, and accessibility. Exploring partner­ ships with healthcare entities fosters network growth, expanding the hospital's reach and service quality.

Developing risk mitigation strategies and reinforc­ing UTAR Hospital's positive brand image are vital for proactive challenge management and market posi­tioning. Alignment with regulatory requirements and pursuing relevant accreditations ensures compliance and showcases quality standards. This comprehen­sive strategy, integrating community understanding, financial prudence, infrastructure development, staff empowerment, patient-centric care, partnerships, risk management, and compliance, forms the foun­dation for sustainable growth and success in UTAR Hospital's evolution within the dynamic healthcare landscape.

What are the ways you encourage your team to bring general medical awareness and services to people beyond UTAR Hospital’s grounds?

To expand medical awareness and services beyond UTAR Hospital's confines, my approach involves cul­tivating a community-centered mindset among the team and executing various outreach endeavors. Ini­tially, conducting routine assessments aids in com­prehending the specific healthcare requisites of the neighboring community. Partnering with local or­ganizations, schools, and businesses is crucial, foster­ing collaborations for health awareness campaigns, workshops, educational programs, and events, there­by widening our audience reach.

Integrating telemedicine services enables health­care consultations to transcend geographical con­straints, particularly benefiting remote or accessibili­ty-challenged individuals. Organizing health fairs and community events becomes a pivotal platform, provid­ing complimentary health consultations, screenings, vaccinations, and educational materials. These en­gagements blend festivity with information, ensuring community involvement and learning.

Moreover, instituting feedback mechanisms is es­sential. This enables the assessment of outreach im­pacts and gathers valuable community insights, fa­cilitating ongoing improvements to the relevancy and efficacy of services. Through these multifaceted initia­tives, our team strives to extend medical awareness and services well beyond UTAR Hospital's premises, fostering a stronger and healthier relationship with the community.

What is the future destination you are headed towards?

What lies ahead as the CEO of UTAR Hospital involves charting a strategic course toward the institution's future. This trajectory centers on fulfilling the hospi­tal's mission, ensuring its endurance, and meeting the ever-evolving needs of the community. The envisioned destination encompasses various pivotal aspects:

Emphasis will be on prioritizing and elevating pa­tient-centered care, consistently refining the patient experience and fostering compassionate, personalized healthcare services. Integration of state-of-the-art technologies and innovative healthcare approaches will shape the future healthcare delivery. Expanding community outreach initiatives and preventive health­care programs will be crucial, addressing wider pub­lic health concerns and ensuring proactive healthcare measures.

UTAR Hospital's evolution into a hub for medical education and research will be a central focus, pro­moting continuous learning and groundbreaking dis­coveries in the medical field. Exploring global collabo­rations and partnerships with healthcare institutions will be pursued, enhancing the hospital's adaptability in an ever-changing healthcare landscape. Building organizational agility and resilience remains impera­tive.

Efforts to ensure financial sustainability will involve optimizing operational efficiency, explor­ing diverse revenue streams, and strategic resource management. Addressing healthcare deficits and dis­parities while improving access to quality care will be an ongoing commitment, striving to make healthcare more equitable and accessible for all.

Prof. Dr. Lau Hui-Ping, CEO & Medical Director, UTAR Hospital

Professor Lau Hui Ping, an eminent figure in thoracic surgery, hails from Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia. He commenced his medical education at Taiwan China Medical University in 1986 after completing schooling at Chung Hwa Middle School in Sibu. His pioneering 'Chang Gung Experience' techniques in VATS earned global acclaim, significantly advancing the field. Dr. Lau's expertise led to international lectures and live surgery demonstrations, impacting thoracic surgery globally. Notably, he founded the World Chinese Society of Thoracic Surgery (ICSTS) in 2005 and chairs the Chinese Lung Cancer Recuperation Society, showcasing his holistic patient care commitment.