Dr. Nermine Raouf Hanna, Co-Founder & Managing Partner of Doclinia, is on a mission to make quality healthcare accessible to all. Her journey began long before Doclinia, during her time providing medical support in underserved regions, where she saw firsthand how difficult it was for people to access essential care. When the COVID-19 pandemic struck, she realized technology could be the key to bridging these gaps. What started as a nonprofit platform connecting patients with doctors for online consultations soon evolved into Doclinia—a company that blends telemedicine with medical and wellness tourism to create a seamless, patient-centered healthcare experience.
For Dr. Hanna, Doclinia isn’t just a business—it’s a bridge between innovation and compassion, ensuring that world-class healthcare reaches those who need it most. Beyond offering expert care, the company reinvests in the communities it serves, sponsoring education for children, supporting medical outreach programs, and coordinating life-changing surgeries.
Let’s delve into her journey, the challenges she’s overcome, and her vision for global healthcare!
How has your background and experience shaped your approach to leading Doclinia?
My background has profoundly shaped my leadership approach at Doclinia. Working in multinational organizations taught me how to balance strategic vision with adaptability—an essential skill in healthcare, where needs evolve rapidly. A defining moment came during the pandemic when we quickly pivoted to launch a nonprofit platform offering online consultations, ensuring patients still had access to quality care despite global disruptions. This ability to adapt is the foundation of Doclinia, allowing us to expand into a commercial venture with a broader healthcare mission.
Beyond corporate experience, my volunteer work in underserved communities gave me a deeper understanding of the barriers people face when accessing healthcare. I realized that offering medical services is not enough—it’s about understanding the unique challenges of each community and co-creating solutions that make a real difference. This is why collaboration is at the core of Doclinia. By working closely with local healthcare professionals and expanding our global network, we ensure care is not just accessible but also meaningful.
The most important lesson I’ve learned is the power of trust and empathy. Healthcare is not just about treatment; it’s about relationships—building trust with patients, empowering teams, and creating an environment where everyone feels heard. By keeping compassion at the heart of our work, we’ve been able to grow Doclinia while staying true to our mission: putting patients first and making quality care a reality for more people.
Can you describe a pivotal moment or challenge in your career that significantly influenced your leadership style?
A pivotal moment in my career came when I worked within healthcare systems with varying levels of access. I witnessed how patients in some regions struggled to access specialized multidisciplinary teams—groups of experts focused on rare or complex conditions, following the latest clinical guidelines. In other regions, this expertise was simply not available, leaving patients with limited options. It became clear to me that healthcare shouldn’t just be about treatment—it’s about access to the right specialists, no matter where you are.
This experience reshaped my leadership approach and reinforced the need for patient-centered, comprehensive care. At Doclinia, we eliminate these gaps by connecting patients with leading specialists globally, using technology to bridge distances, and ensuring care is aligned with the latest standards. True empowerment in healthcare goes beyond access—it’s about giving patients care from experts who specialize in their condition, giving them the best chance for optimal outcomes. My leadership is rooted in this belief: that quality healthcare should be seamless, personalized, and led by expert teams dedicated to making a real difference.
What unique value does Doclinia bring to the medical tourism industry, and how do you see it evolving?
Doclinia stands out by offering a truly patient-centered approach that goes beyond just connecting patients with doctors. We’re more than a platform—we’re a guide, a support system, and sometimes even a lifeline. From booking consultations and handling travel arrangements to providing post-treatment care, we manage every detail so that patients can focus solely on their health and well-being.
What sets us apart is our ability to combine global access with local expertise. With a network spanning 13 countries and continuously expanding, we connect patients to specialists who provide world-class care while understanding the nuances of both global medical standards and local healthcare environments. Whether it’s coordinating complex surgeries, offering ongoing support, or arranging wellness retreats, we deliver a truly personalized experience.
Based in Dubai, a top destination for medical tourism, we’re strategically positioned to offer unparalleled access to advanced care. Our partnerships with top-tier healthcare institutions ensure the highest standards of treatment and safety. We also employ a rigorous vetting process for every hospital and specialist we collaborate with, ensuring quality control. Our platform integrates both online and offline services seamlessly, making it easy for patients to book consultations, upload documents, make payments, and arrange in-person care.
Looking ahead, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of medical advancements. By embracing innovations like telemedicine, stem cell therapies, and longevity treatments, we ensure our patients receive cutting-edge care. As we continue to evolve, we remain dedicated to transparency, confidentiality, and patient satisfaction, always putting the patient’s experience and well-being at the core of everything we do.
How do you balance innovation with maintaining high standards of patient care and safety at Doclinia?
At Doclinia, we approach innovation with caution and care. We integrate trusted, evidence based technologies that enhance patient care without compromising safety. We don’t rush to adopt the latest trends; instead, we ensure that every innovation is safe, effective, and has a direct positive impact on the patient experience.
We stay informed about the latest research and continually review best practices. This ensures that any technology or treatment we adopt is both reliable and patient-centered. Every decision we make revolves around one question: “How will this benefit the patient?” This focus allows us to integrate innovation seamlessly without sacrificing the quality or safety of care.
What advice would you give to young women aspiring to leadership roles in healthcare or entrepreneurship?
My advice is to believe in yourself and your vision. The world needs your ideas, your compassion, and your perspective. Don’t let self-doubt or societal expectations hold you back. Leadership is about courage—having the courage to trust yourself, make mistakes, and keep moving forward.
Surround yourself with mentors and a team that challenges you to grow. Leadership isn’t about doing everything on your own; it’s about creating a shared vision and empowering others to be a part of it. Most importantly, stay true to your values. Authenticity is one of the most powerful traits you can bring, and it’s what will help you build a lasting and meaningful impact.
Looking ahead, what are your goals for Doclinia, and how do you plan to continue making an impact in healthcare?
At Doclinia, our vision is to build a global healthcare ecosystem that truly empowers patients, while embracing trusted innovations. We are focused on integrating safe, proven treatments that are established and approved in the healthcare industry, ensuring that we provide the most effective, personalized care possible for our patients.
We’re also committed to expanding our community initiatives—healthcare missions, educational programs, and outreach projects are just the beginning. We aim to create lasting, positive change in the communities we serve, ensuring that access to healthcare and the quality of care improves worldwide.
Ultimately, we want Doclinia to be a place where patients feel supported, empowered, and cared for every step of the way. Our legacy will be one defined by compassion, trust, and tangible impact, shaping a future where healthcare is both accessible and transformative.
Shattering Stereotypes
As a woman in leadership, I’ve faced challenges around stereotypes questioning my approach. Early on, I was told I needed to be “tougher,” or doubted because my leadership style didn’t fit traditional molds. For a while, I tried to conform to those expectations, but I eventually realized that leadership isn’t about fitting into a predefined box. True leadership is about being authentic and leading from the heart.
I embraced my strengths—compassion, resilience, and intuition—and understood that empathy isn’t a weakness. It’s one of the most powerful tools for building trust and driving meaningful change. By leading by example, I’ve shown that these qualities are essential for inspiring teams, fostering collaboration, and achieving impactful results.
Building a supportive network of like-minded individuals has been crucial in breaking through these barriers. Together, we’ve challenged norms and redefined what leadership looks like. Leadership is about finding your voice, standing firm in your beliefs, and using your influence to guide others, especially in the face of adversity.
