Leaders
Female surgeons are advancing medical practice throughout the Asian continent by shattering stereotypes and breaking down obstacles. Among these trailblazers is Lynne Lim, the founder of Lynne Lim Ear, Nose, Throat, and Hearing Center, who has made her mark in ENT surgery and medical innovation.
Dr. Lynne has accomplished several ground-breaking firsts throughout her career. She demonstrated her innovative attitude in ENT surgery by performing the first simultaneous cochlear implants in Singapore and the first fully implanted middle ear implant in Asia. Her dedication to the field's advancement also extended to academics, as she was instrumental in the founding of the National University's Hearing, Speech, Language, and Balance Center and the Master of Science in Audiology program.
Transitioning from government service to private practice, Dr. Lynne established Lynne Lim Ear Nose Throat and Hearing Center. Her will to succeed as an entrepreneur propelled her to start NousQ, where she is pioneering a handheld robotic ear tube insertion tool that is cutting edge.
In an exclusive interview with Women Entrepreneur Review magazine, Dr. Lynne talks more about her company and its unique operational model. Let’s delve into it.
What inspired you to establish Lynne Lim Nose Throat and Hearing Center, and what are its primary areas of specialization?
Lynne Lim Nose Throat and Hearing Center is my private practice and was founded to provide a setting where I could provide individualized, all-encompassing care in the manner that I feel best suits my patients. Having spent years in the public sector, I wanted more freedom and time to treat patients.
My center treats the whole range of disorders affecting the ears, nose, and throat, including problems such as tonsillitis and sinusitis to more difficult situations.
Our unique area of expertise, though, is ear-related ailments. We provide specialized care for hearing impairments in close collaboration with audiologists, speech therapists, and language development schools. Our clinic treats patients of all ages, from babies to the elderly. A variety of hearing and related balance tests catered to various age groups are available with us, and our in-house audiologists make sure that everything is completed effectively on the same visit. We fit a wide range of hearing aids, bone anchored hearing aids and cochlear implants.
Our institution offers a seamless, one-stop experience, from diagnosis to treatment, including the full range of hearing services and cochlear implants
As the Founder of Lynne Lim Nose Throat and Hearing Center, what are the main responsibilities you manage?
I wear a lot of hats as the founder of the Lynne Lim Nose Throat and Hearing Center. As a physician, surgeon, and clinician, I provide direct patient care. In addition to overseeing the nurses, audiologists, and allergy nurse on staff, my role as director also involves managing the entire team to make sure everything runs well.
I also oversee the business side of things, which includes accounts, medication and treatment management.
What do you consider to be the most significant challenges in the medical practice industry? How do you overcome these obstacles in your role?
The growing expense of healthcare is one of the biggest obstacles in the medical practice sector. The changing expectations of patients present another difficulty. Patients are more knowledgeable but may inadvertently rely on unreliable sources due to the abundance of information available online.
I keep my attention on what matters, which is focusing on holistic and the finest treatment possible, to get past these challenges.
Reflecting on your professional journey, what are some of the most notable milestones you have achieved?
Being the second female ENT surgeon in Singapore was a special milestone, considering that women made up only 20 percent of my medical school cohort.
Securing a fellowship at Cincinnati Children's Hospital, one of the top-ranked pediatric training institutes in the United States, was another significant milestone. I worked there for three years, receiving research and clinical fellowships that allowed me to acquire priceless expertise. After coming back to Singapore, I performed the first anterior and posterior airway repair and simultaneous bilateral cochlear hearing implant surgeries.
More recently, launching NousQ, a medical device start-up company in my fifties represents a significant turning point in my professional life. NousQ has CLiKX, the world’s first robotic handheld ear tube applicator with the potential to treat middle ear infections in the clinic, with just one click, and without need for general anesthesia and the surgical microscope. NousQ was recently awarded first prize at the Cartier Science and Technology Pioneer 2024 competition.
What has been your success mantra over the years?
My motto for success has always been prioritizing people above all else. People are more inclined to support you and work well together when you treat them properly and cultivate genuine relationships.
A business leader you admire: I respect Madam Kay Kuok for her amazing ability to have that happy mix of great leadership, kindness, philanthropic activities and astute business sense, as evidenced by the way she led the Shangri-La group to prosperity while keeping a genuinely people-focused attitude.
Advice for aspiring women entrepreneurs and business leaders: I want to tell them to enjoy the journey, believe in themselves, and remember that they are enough. Failure is never final.
Dr Lynne Lim, Surgeon, Lynne Lim Ear Nose Throat And Hearing Center
Lynne Lim earned her Master of Public Health from Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and completed her Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at the National University of Singapore, along with a specialization in Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery from the Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburgh. Her previous roles include Vice-Dean and Vice-Chairman of the Medical Board at the National University Health System and Founding Director of the MSc Audiology program at NUS.
