🎙 Dr Ruby Wang on Joining the Foreign Office during the Pandemic, Founding a Global Consultancy and Shaping UK–China Health Diplomacy
💬 In conversation with Dr Ruby Wang, Managing Director of LINTRIS Health; Digital Health Council member at the Royal Society of Medicine
Dear Readers,
This week on Out of Programme, we’re joined by Dr Ruby Wang — a doctor, former Head of Health for China at the Foreign Office, and the visionary founder of Lintris, an award-winning consultancy bridging health policy, biopharma, and medtech between the UK and China.
Ruby’s journey is a testament to embracing unexpected opportunities: from frontline NHS doctor during the pandemic to shaping international health diplomacy, and finally, to forging her own path as a global health consultant.
🎧 Watch the full episode on YouTube:
You can also listen on: 🎧 Spotify and 🍏 Apple Podcasts
🌍 Highlights from the Conversation
💡 From Surgeon to Strategist How early disillusionment with the NHS environment and exposure to health tech sparked a shift from clinical practice to broader health leadership.
🏛 The Schwarzman Scholarship Leap Discover how a unique scholarship in China became a pivotal “F3 break” for Ruby, exposing her to global leaders and diverse perspectives, shattering traditional career norms for doctors.
🇬🇧 Joining the Foreign Office during a Global Pandemic Learn about Ruby’s extraordinary pivot to the Foreign Office, working on UK-China health diplomacy during the height of Covid-19, and the unique challenges and growth that came with it.
🚀 Founding Lintris How Ruby leveraged her diverse experiences and networks to build an influential consultancy, bridging Western and Chinese health sectors, and the practicalities of transitioning from employee to founder.
⚖️ Balancing Clinical Practice with Global Consultancy Ruby shares how she maintains her clinical skills through locum work, feeding real-world insights back into her health tech and policy consulting, finding new meaning in her medical roots.
💬 Why This Episode Matters
Ruby’s episode is proof that:
🌍 Your medical background is a powerful asset, opening doors to global opportunities beyond traditional clinical roles.
🚀 Non-linear career paths can lead to incredibly fulfilling and impactful work, even when they involve significant risks.
📈 Cultivating a strong professional network and seeking mentorship are crucial steps for career transitions.
🧭 Embracing serendipity and being open to new learning experiences can shape an extraordinary professional journey.
As Ruby says:
“There’s never been a better time to leave or to come back. You’re never shutting yourself off from one opportunity when you take another.”
From our Partners
🧠 Applications are now open for the 2026 BiteLabs Digital Health, AI & Innovation Fellowship, with cohorts in both the UK and the US.
If you apply via Out of Programme, you’ll receive:
✅ Extra points on your application
🎯 A 1:1 career mentorship session with a member of the BiteLabs team
💸 £125/$150 and £50/$150 off your programme fee from the hybrid programme and remote programme respectively (if accepted)
🔗 Learn more and apply here: UK Programme and US Programme 💬 Use referral code: OUTOFPROGRAMME
💡 Subscribe for more stories of career reinvention:
🗞️ Substack | ▶️ YouTube | 🎧 Spotify | 🍏 Apple Podcasts | 🔗 LinkedIn
If you know someone contemplating their next move — share this episode with them!
Until next time,
Dr Jing Ouyang
👉 Follow me on LinkedIn for a behind-the-scenes look and reflections on Patchwork Health and Out of Programme.
