Take 5 with Dr Simone Ryan

The driving force and creative vision behind The Life Check: Dr Simone Scovell is known for her integrity, passion and dedication to ensuring preventative health care is readily accessible to all workers. She shares her gutsy personal journey from surgeon to CEO…

What motivates you?

My mission has always been pure: to improve healthcare in the working population.

Why did you decide to start your healthcare business?

It started as an idea in 2005 when I realised how I needed to take uber-good care of myself to keep performing to my maximum. With the high demands of work that wasn’t possible, and there were no resources to assist. I left my job as a cardiothoracic surgery Resident doctor after collapsing on the floor of the hospital operating theatre. I was burnt out and overworked and it took a fainting seizure and a broken nose for me to realise that there must be a better way for organisations to support employees, before they reach breaking point.

How did you make the transition from surgical resident doctor to entrepreneur?

On leaving surgery, I began my specialist medical training under the then Qantas Medical Director, Dr Ion Morrison. To support myself, I started a small business on the side. There was demand from a much wider corporate audience and I made the decision to grab the opportunity by the horns and scale my business.

How did you get your first real break?

I met Alan Joyce. He’d taken up the mantle of Qantas CEO and quickly grew his reputation as a visionary leader that wasn’t afraid of change. Long-term, traditional corporate providers were all carefully reviewed. I saw an opportunity in the health space for my small business and I went for it!

I won the contract for Qantas’ executive health program. Since then, we’ve scaled to 72 partnered GP clinics nationally with offshore, partnered presence in Singapore, US and UK. The global demand for scalable technology and quality medical and telehealth services has never been greater and I’m excited for the future.

What would be your advice to other budding entrepreneurs?

Trust your instincts. Learn from your mistakes. Do what it takes to truly understand the needs of your customers. Build relationships with highly successful business mentors and don’t be afraid to seek their advice.