UNAIR NEWS – The medical field offers a broad and dynamic career path, not only limited to a clinical practice room or hospital. A prime example is dr Maria Arni Stella, an alumna from Faculty of Medicine (FK) Universitas Airlangga (UNAIR) who has successfully built an international career as a Wellness Manager in the Maldives, specifically at Anantara Kihavah and Heritance Aarah.
Stella, as she is warmly called, is a graduate of medical school from the 2013 cohort. In the Maldives, she handles a crucial role in leading holistic wellness treatment operational and advanced fitness programs for global guests.
Starting in Bali
Stella’s journey on the international stage started from her first step in exploring the aesthetic field in Bali after completing her medical education program. It started with a three-month opportunity as a visiting practitioner at the invitation of an Australian clinic owner. She was tasked with introducing a variety of modern skin treatments such as skin booster, botox, and epigenetic testing using hair strand analysis to map out ideal nutrition and dietary patterns for the body.
This opportunity that was initially planned to last only three months, grew rapidly. Looking at the high market demand and business success achieved, Stella’s employment contract was extended to nearly two years, leading her to a strategic position as a Wellness Manager.
Presenting longevity innovation and holistic wellness treatment
The transition from hospital and conventional clinic environment to the luxury hospitality industry gave a new and challenging experience. At high-end resorts, a doctor will not only focus on medical procedures, but also build direct engagement with the guests through various exclusive agendas, such as festival events.
From these interactions, Stella captured a shift in global health trends, which no longer seek for mere aesthetic and spa relaxation, but focusing on longevity and cellular health at the molecular level. Under her leadership, health and fitness facilities at this resort continue to innovate by presenting flagship holistic programs.
Several of her flagship programs are Advanced Therapies such as the utilization of Hyperbaric Oxygen Therapy (HBOT), Cryotherapy (a combination of cold plunge pools and saunas for muscle recovery and metabolism), and LED Therapy for cellular rejuvenation and injury management. Second, Advanced IV Therapy. Third, Comprehensive Retreat programs lasting 7 to 14 days that combine epigenetic testing, specialized nutritional menu guidance in collaboration with executive chefs, personal trainer assistance, as well as sound healing and lymphatic massage to care for the physical body, mind, and soul comprehensively.
Contribution and foundation
As a manager in the hospitality sector, business orientation became one of the proud benchmarks of success. Stella successfully shift general perception that often views spas merely as secondary hotel amenities into one of the main business drivers.
“In terms of business, we successfully achieved the budget targets around 100 thousand USD per month consistently. The spa, which was initially underestimated, finally recorded the highest Google Review among all departments for a full year,” Stella said.
Beyond financial achievements, she has also opened up a broad opportunity for other medical workers, including nurse injector and therapists, to pursue a career path in the international stage through global-standard training in various preventive health programs.
In her journey conquering a global career path, dr Stella recalls the fundamental values instilled during her studies at FK UNAIR. According to her, education in FK UNAIR not only shapes strong clinical competencies but also equips the students with an entrepreneurial spirit and an open-minded perspective toward new opportunity and point of view.
“Don’t get a mental block thinking that going abroad is difficult or financially burdensome. The competency exam in Indonesia is far more challenging. If there is an opportunity and it is your dream, go get it,” she advised.
Author: Humas FK UNAIR
