Despite her non-medical background, Devina Dewi Mariana Senduk uses her leadership savvy and business acumen to lead a professional community of medical experts.

It is no easy task to lead a team of experts, as each possesses different skills and experience. It'€™s challenging, indeed, but Devina Dewi Mariana Senduk sees that challenge as the soul of doing business.

At the helm of AnHo Premiere Integrative Medicine Center, Dewi, as she is affectionately called, strives to build a platform where experts can work together, creating a healthier Indonesia through integrative medicine.

'€œCommunication is key,'€ Dewi said, adding that often it'€™s her job as a leader to make sure that the specialists are on the same page and that the vision of providing patients with '€œthe highest quality of life, wellness and longevity through integrative medical care'€ is realized.

'€œ[We do this by] employing advanced biomedical technology and other evidence-based treatments to promote health and wellness. Specialists are accustomed to meeting patients who are already sick and are looking for cure, but here, we introduce a preventive mindset and focus on maintaining fitness instead of healing,'€ said Dewi.

AnHo is operated under PT AnHo Biogenesis Prima Indonesia with labs run by PT Biogenesis Genome, wherein Dewi leads both entities.

Can a health care business be successful with someone from a non-medical background taking the lead?

The answer is a big yes, at least for Dewi. Despite her education being in fashion, she is determined to engage with health care. Being a visionary is what it'€™s all about she says. To her, in life, there are a lot of things to learn, yet different experience may be beneficial.

'€œA good leader must possess a strong interest in life-long learning,'€ Dewi argued. '€œAnd developing new skill sets as well as gaining knowledge are part of what I enjoy about my job.'€

She mentioned J. Stephen Lindsey, who suggests that a leader in health care should be an independent thinker who understands the emerging health care market. The business model is shifting from the stiff, we-used-to-do-this mindset to adapting to new technology and applying the latest research. Something quite difficult, especially when the interests of physicians and other professionals must be concurrently catered to.

'€œA leader must be able to quickly assess their markets and develop, communicate and execute plans while managing constant change. Hence, effective health care leaders must be able to motivate and inspire others to achieve common goals.'€

The business she is currently leading started as a conversation among friends who are concerned about health. As part of the baby-boomer generation, they are the first to think about lifestyle improvements. '€œI was acquainted with Dr. Robert Goldman and Dr. Ronald Klatz, who first coined the term '€˜anti-aging medicine'€™. As I was reading their book The Official Anti-Aging Revolution, I was convinced that we needed a revolution in our health care system in order to enjoy truly quality lives '€“ lives with optimal physical function and optimal spiritual and psychological states. We believe longevity should not mean merely a long lifespan, but healthy lifespan,'€ Dewi said.

AnHo integrates conventional medical care and evidence-based treatments, which is something new to Indonesia'€™s health industry. '€œIn Indonesia, we are still at the very earliest phase, where anti-aging medicine is often associated with aesthetic procedures and hormone therapy. There is so much beyond skin-deep remedies and hormone replacement. It is obvious that there is an enormous opportunity for health care businesses to grow.'€

Therefore, people need intensive education campaigns and seminars '€“ not just patients, but staff as well. AnHo started with five people including Dewi. Today, the center employs around 30 staff and experts while preparing a laboratory that they aim to hold a grand opening for next year.

'€œResearch has shown that when you educate, you change more than just one life '€“ you change the world. We are committed to continuous education, research and development to help us provide a consistently top-quality service.'€

Despite all the success she enjoys now that AnHo Premiere has taken its first steps, Dewi gives all the credit to her husband, Steve H. Senduk. '€œI can be where I am now because of my husband. He'€™s been very supportive from day one. Getting AnHo Clinic to where it is right now took a long time and my husband has never stopped believing in this project,'€ the mother of three boys said.

Dewi recalls how passion and consistency played an important role in shaping the team. To illustrate the journey, she used as a metaphor a group of people digging a well. Without faith and hardwork, these people would just be digging everywhere and achieving nothing but a lot of shallow holes. '€œBut if you believe there is water in the well, you will keep digging until you finally find it. The AnHo team has a passion for digging so the work doesn'€™t feel like a burden. That'€™s what brought us to where we are right now.'€ (Ruth Ninajanty)

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Birth

• Tanjung Pinang, January 9, 1965

career highlights

• President Director of PT AnHo Biogenesis Prima Indonesia (2014-present)
• President Director PT Biogenesis Genome (2014-present)
• CEO of PT Victus Life (2007-2009)

Education

• Susan Budihardjo School of Fashion (1989)
• Tokyo Dressmaking School, Jakarta (1983-1985)
• Master Tailor, Tokyo Dressmaking School in Tokyo (1991)
• Federation of Asian Master Tailors (1993, 1995 and 1997)

At ease

Favorite Food
Nothing really specific actually. My daily meals are mostly homemade Indonesian and Chinese cooking, but not too oily and not too high in protein. I love soup, especially clear soup like meatball soup or soto. I also look for soup when I travel abroad. But it'€™s not about what'€™s in it but more about the soup itself. I usually cook instead of eating out.

Art & architecture enthusiast
My personal life is quite boring [laughs]. When I travel, even to Europe for example, it'€™s usually to visit family. Yet, I really admire great works of art and architecture in Europe. I prefer the classic ones to the modern. As you walk around the AnHo Premiere Center, you will see paintings and sculptures decorating the walls and spaces. One particular centerpiece that I dub '€œeveryone'€™s favorite'€ is a mix of cups and tea pots symbolizing health and relaxation.

Meaningful health
I see health as a balanced life of the physical, mental and spiritual, which is reflected in one'€™s everyday life. Healthy is strong and full of energy. For example, you won'€™t get sick just because you have to work overtime or have less sleep. Health also means having a healthy mindset, being able to solve problems calmly and not stress out.'€

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