Dr. Anie Mathew, a GMHE Exec Programme alum’s rise to operational excellence
Alumna of the General Management Programme for Healthcare Executives (GMHE)- Batch 6, an Executive Education Programme at IIM Bangalore, Dr. Anie Mathew currently serves as the General Manager of Operations at Svatantra Integrative Neuro Rehabilitation Centre.
The debris of the pandemic were still settling on the healthcare sector when Dr. Anie Mathew received an unsuspecting call from her clinical practice. She was tasked with leading a Covid-19 taskforce in Al Ain, UAE. At the time, a General Dentist with 9+ years of experience, Dr. Mathew found herself thrust into the role of managing a team of 100+ nurses, physicians, technicians and support staff, becoming a supply chain expert and an operations designer, all whilst juggling intense demands of her job. A major undertaking by all accounts, or “a deeply humbling experience”, as Dr. Mathew ventured to call it.
Dr. Anie Mathew.
Today, as we’ve taken a gradual and long-awaited departure from Covid-19, Dr. Mathew looks back to share her thoughts and observances on the pressure points that reshaped her career. In this first-person account, Dr. Mathew reflects on the challenges that led her to pursue management training, her experience with GMHE, doors that the programme has opened for her and the higher responsibilities she has taken up since the programme.
A crash course in unscripted leadership
At the height of Covid-19, I remember feeling nudged, rather unceremoniously, into the position as Head of the Covid-19 taskforce. While it was the need of the hour, it was definitely reassuring to see the confidence my team members had in me. Mind you, this was in the early days of the pandemic; it had yet to gain mainstream notoriety, and we were still grappling with the enormity of what lay ahead.
And just like that, I was responsible for 100+ nurses, physicians, and consultants. Pulled from my clinical practice—where dentistry had been reduced to emergency procedures—I was asked to step up and lead the way. I can now say that I was able to successfully rally a diverse group of specialists with a singular focus, which speaks much to the continued commitment of my team members, and frontline workers around the world.
Dr. Mathew with the GMHE cohort- Batch 6.
But there was definitely a bit of a learning curve. A sooner-than-expected call to action meant that I was new to the realm of management. The urgency of our tasks left little room for deliberation and every decision felt like a race against time. It was during those moments of chaos that I found myself wishing I’d had formal training in management operations—a blueprint to help me allocate resources, estimate staffing needs, and build a solid strategy rather of relying on instinct alone.
Purpose in the pandemic
When I moved back from the UAE, a certain single-mindedness possessed me. I wanted to work on developing my portfolio of management skills through a formal medium. It was around this time that I parlayed my experience in general dentistry into upper management and took on the role of Clinic Head at Clove Dental.
I scoured options for management training programmes but kept hitting roadblocks—most were either two-year MBAs or fully online courses, neither of which fit what I was looking for. Returning to school—especially business school—after 10 years, I wanted to fully immerse myself and be indulgent with my education experience. I went on to apply to programs at both IIM Bangalore and IIM Kozhikode. Ultimately, I chose GMHE at IIM Bangalore, drawn by its reputation. Simultaneously, I was goaded into making this decision by a good group of friends, many of whom were already on campus studying a variety of programmes. One even suggested I dive into the backgrounds of the professors delivering the programme. That final bit of R&D really sealed the deal for me.
Curiosity is a hard thing to oversell
I think a really important part of my learning journey here at IIMB was meeting medical practitioners and public health professionals across fields and specializations. Conversations with peers, working on group projects, that’s what concocted this curiosity in me. A curiosity that ultimately steered me toward neuro-rehabilitation, a field I hadn’t imagined myself stepping into but now feel deeply connected to.
In my current role as General Manager of Operations at Svatantra Integrative Neuro Rehabilitation Centre, I oversee a centre dedicated to post-stroke and neurological recovery. It’s incredibly rewarding to play a role in each patient’s recovery journey and see the impact our team has on their lives. My focus here is on optimizing care quality, streamlining operational efficiency, and creating a supportive environment for both patients and staff.
(L-R) Prof. Haritha Saranga, POM area; Prof. M Jayadev, F&A area; Dr. Anie Mathew; Prof. Ashok Thampy, F&A area, during the GMHE valedictory ceremony.
Looking ahead, I aspire to continue growing in healthcare operations, particularly in neuro-rehabilitation and integrative health. I’m eager to further contribute to Svatantra’s mission and support advancements in rehabilitation care, enhancing all aspects of patient recovery and satisfaction.
Outside of work, I’m often catching up on books, which keeps my mind active and engaged. I also have a passion for classical dance, which brings a creative balance to my life. Most of all, it offers a sense of renewal amid the demands of my job.
