Dr Gurpreet Singh, Class of 1995
Current Profession: Doctor & Health Technology Entrepreneur
University Attended: Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ School of Medicine
Profile – Your journey after GIS
I was one of the few GIS students who headed abroad to boarding school straight after the old fashioned GCE O’Levels! I headed to the UK and boarded at Merchant Taylors’ School for my sixth form. Thereafter I headed to Guy’s, King’s & St Thomas’ School of Medicine in London.
I initially spent a few years as a Trauma and Orthopaedic Surgeon but switched to General Practice and was a Partner in Greenwich for about a decade. This spell was interspersed by spending my spare time as a healthcare commissioner – commissioning healthcare services for a large population and developing an interest in healthcare entrepreneurship – which is essentially what running your own healthcare practice is.
I completed an Executive MBA, joined the advisory board of a digital healthcare accelerator and put an entrepreneurial mindset into action in founding a healthcare federation. This brought together 35 independent healthcare businesses into a single overarching company to provide 365-day healthcare services across a large geography. I led that organisation as Chair and Chief Executive for about 5 years improving health outcomes whilst providing cost efficient high quality services before taking up my current role as part of the founding team of a Health data technology company.
In thinking about this question it lends itself to a professional description of achievements so forth. I think it is important to reflect and highlight one’s personal development too and that is centred around lots of hard work but with a clear desire to have as much fun along the way as possible, building long-lasting and meaningful relationships and pursuing growth experiences. In attempting to do difficult things, this is what keeps us sane and makes the adventures memorable.
What was your overall GIS experience like?
I joined GIS at the Kindergarten stage before the school had moved to the Cheras site, let alone its current majestic residence in Mont Kiara. My entire primary school and secondary schooling years were at GIS and I can honestly say what an absolutely wonderful experience I was privileged to have. It was an experience enriched by the most passionate-strict-nurturing teachers, diverse classmates/friends and wonderful memories and life events.
Do you have any general fond GIS memories you’d like to share?
No – given there are too many to mention and most of them likely to be too embarrassing to put pen to paper – best kept for a good conversation at a reunion perhaps!
What person, course, or experience most influenced you while at GIS?
Some names that spring to mind are Principles in Mrs Ghazali, Mr Croft, Mr Eales, Teachers in Mr Hunt, Mrs Ooi, Mrs Tan, Mrs H Lopez, Mrs Thiagarajah to name but a few. I spent a fair bit of time in sporting pursuits which set about important lifestyle habits which hold me in good stead till today. Keeping active allows one to then apply focused energy to the task at hand and being busy means one learns to become effective and efficient quite quickly to “fit it all in” – so to speak.
What is the most important thing you learned while you were at GIS?
In every bit of formal or informal learning I have experienced – I have concluded that we take on board different messages/experiences as individuals. I learned that I was adaptable and could fit in anywhere. Being able to build rapport quickly is an important skill and blessing (given I cannot claim to have consciously focused on developing this skill!)
Don’t give up – keep at it. We formed the schools first ever Rugby team back in something like 1994/95! It seemed like a bright idea at the time and after 6 weeks of training we took part in a 7s tournament. If memory serves me right each half lasted 7 mins and our first match was against a school from Hong Kong. We lost 70…something to 0! We made sure we kept going and with every match of the tournament, we kept improving and reducing the margin of our losses and even scoring a try or two! It is a fact we did not win a single match in that tournament – but we finished on a high feeling like winners – mindset is everything!
Make the most of what you have – GIS currently has a full size basketball court … we only ever had a 2/3rd sized court to practise on in Cheras. We all recall slipping and sliding whilst training on our beloved sand-strewn parquet court with a set of steps that formed the corner of our court which lead up to our table tennis area. I recall scoring a 3-pointer Steph Curry would have been proud of – Mr Hunt (PE Teacher) turned from despair at why was I shooting from just inside the halfway line to jubilation jumping up and down courtside. What did he expect … WeAreGIS … we believe, inspire, lead, and deliver. I was captain at the time leading 7 GIS basketball enthusiasts for a bronze medal match as the rest of our friends had become injured during the course of the tournament. With a fair amount of grit and effort and hopefully a sprinkle of inspiration … we secured the schools first ever inter-school basketball medal. The facilities we have now are quite different – use them well and keep achieving and having fun – the secret with that is surrounding yourself with the right people
Describe GIS in three words
Global, Intellectual, Sporty … isn’t that what GIS stands for? I missed the memo if it meant anything else.
How did your education at GIS prepare you for what you are doing today?
I continue to build global friendships and have a desire to positively influence those around me.
What inspires you?
I recognise how very fortunate I am – having the opportunity to have been associated with a school like GIS. I receive inspiration from a number of sources and from my experience, inspiration continually evolves. The wonderful people who made so many sacrifices and incredible efforts to support me, my wife and 3 amazing kids
What advice would you give current students or recent graduates interested in pursuing a career in your professional field?
Plus est en vous – is all one should have to say … but to try and be helpful a few other pointers might be …
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Have a sense of humour – it will hold you in good stead – in everything you do
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Work hard – is what your parents and teachers are already telling you so you won’t hear it again from me
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Set realistic goals and celebrate them once achieved, don’t stop there though because plus est en vous – renew your goals and set about achieving them
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Follow your passion(s) which may evolve over time – that’s ok, remember that
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Take regular and meaningful breaks – do not plan to wait till retirement
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Be mindful and show humility – always
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Never forget that you are part of an international community of people way smarter than you so always ask for advice and leverage that asset at every opportunity
“I’d love to keep in touch, find me on LinkedIn or follow me on Twitter @GurpreetsinghMD”
Thank you Gurpreet for taking the time and sharing your experiences and journey with us.
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