Dr. Sabina Singh .........Ken Strmiska

From a dream in Milwaukee to a thriving DPC practice-

Dr. Sabina Singh and Ken Strmiska built a healthcare revolution, serving thousands in just three years.

Inspired by her childhood ambition and dedication to healthcare, Dr. Sabina Singh, MD along with her husband Ken Strmiska (COO) Founders of Anovia Health, has undertaken a revolutionary journey in her medical career. In a conversation with Mehul Agarwal, Founder of  HealthCompiler, Dr. Singh shares the compelling story of her evolution from a determined sixth grader in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to a key player in transforming the medical field. This journey is more than just fulfilling a childhood dream—it's about reshaping healthcare for thousands and staying true to the foundational values of medical care. 

The Spark That Ignited a Lifelong Passion

Sabina’s story starts in a tight-knit Midwestern community, where she was raised surrounded by hardworking, passionate people. Her parents—her dad, an engineer, and her mom, a teacher—instilled in her a deep love for learning. As Indian-Americans, they cherished the values of community and service, which left a lasting impression on Sabina. Surrounded by family friends who were physicians, she was inspired early on to follow in their footsteps. “I decided very young, probably about sixth grade, that I was going to be a doctor,” she recalls. This wasn’t just a childhood dream—it was a commitment fueled by her family’s belief in the power of community and service.

Her academic drive shone in high school, where she graduated as valedictorian. This success opened doors to the University of Wisconsin’s Med Scholars Program, a unique opportunity for a conditional acceptance to medical school after three years of college, bypassing the traditional MCAT route. At 17, Sabina was already on a clear path toward her future, finishing her undergraduate degree in just three years. By her early twenties, she had entered med school—one year younger than most of her peers but brimming with confidence and determination.

Discovering Her True Calling: Family Medicine

Medical school wasn’t just about absorbing knowledge for Sabina—it was where she truly found her passion. A pivotal summer externship with a family physician changed everything.

“I liked the breadth of family medicine, the relationships, the chance to take care of a whole person, not just their symptoms,” Sabina says.

It felt like a perfect fit for her—a chance to know her patients on a deeper level and care for them in ways that extended beyond simply diagnosing and treating illness.

After completing medical school, Sabina headed to Wake Forest University in North Carolina for her residency, which offered a perfect blend of university-level education and real-world community practice. During this time, Sabina witnessed firsthand how healthcare operated in real neighborhoods, learning not just from academic specialists but from the community-based challenges patients faced. Three years later, with her husband Ken finishing his doctorate at NC State, Sabina accepted her first job in Raleigh. It was the late ‘90s—a time of rapid change in healthcare, where private practices were being absorbed by larger hospital groups, and the pace was intense.

Struggling with a Broken System

Sabina's journey led her back to Green Bay, Wisconsin, where she joined Bellin Health. Over a span of 20 years, she climbed the ranks and became one of the first female physicians in the system. Despite her achievements, the flaws in the traditional healthcare system became Evident. "Like many of my colleagues, I started to burn out," Sabina recalls. The administrative burdens piled up, the relentless pressure to see 20 to 25 patients daily, and the constant struggle to provide the care she wanted—it all took a toll. "Patients felt it too. The system wasn’t designed for meaningful connections anymore."

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit, Sabina found herself pulled away from the clinic to help reimagine outpatient care, working on safety protocols and strategies for reopening. Amidst the chaos, something unexpected happened. "While everyone else was scared, I felt like I was doing something truly helpful," she shares. It was during this period that Sabina realized that returning to the clinic grind wasn’t her path forward. She craved something more—a system that allowed her to do better by her patients.

A Bold Leap: Reimagining Healthcare

At this pivotal moment, Sabina and her husband Ken, who had a background in operations and strategy, began brainstorming a new approach to healthcare. They both recognized the inherent flaws in the traditional system and dreamed of creating something that could break through the barriers that hindered real care. The result? Direct Primary Care (DPC)—a model that eliminates insurance middlemen and allows doctors to work directly with patients or employers for a flat fee. This would mean more time with patients, fewer administrative barriers, and more affordable care.

However, Sabina and Ken didn’t just want to open a small solo practice. They wanted to build something larger, something that could truly make a difference on a bigger scale. "One small clinic for 600 patients wasn’t going to make enough of a difference," Sabina explains. Ken saw the opportunity to partner with employers to extend their reach and create a sustainable ecosystem of accessible, affordable care.

And this is where Ken’s vision came into play. Sabina admits, “I have to give him credit for a lot of this. His operations and strategy insight was key to our success.” While Sabina was ready for a change, she wasn’t entirely sure what that would look like. But Ken had the foresight to know that working with employers was the way to go.

“Let’s help as many people as possible,” he proposed. “We’ll combine your clinical expertise with my business skills to make this a reality.”

And so, Anovia Health began to take shape.

Launching Anovia Health

In May 2021, Anovia Health was officially launched. By August, their first clinic opened its doors. The idea was simple yet innovative: offer unlimited same-day or next-day appointments with no copays through partnerships with employers. Employers would pay a fee, either per employee per month or per visit, and their employees would get access to high-quality, accessible, and affordable health care. This model, while risky, perfectly combined Ken's business sense and Sabina's deep clinical expertise.

"Looking back, we were lucky enough to find partners who were already practicing DPC and another investor who believed in our vision," Sabina shares. “But I have to be honest—it wasn’t easy. There were a lot of sleepless nights, but it’s been an incredible journey."

Anovia Health didn’t just grow—it thrived. In a matter of years, they expanded from zero patients to serving 20,000 to 25,000 people across eight near-site clinics and four on-site clinics, with plans for even more growth. Their team now includes nearly 50 passionate individuals, from skilled nurses to administrative staff, all working together toward one goal: to revolutionize healthcare.

Accessibility and Impact: A Model That Works

What makes Anovia Health unique is its emphasis on accessibility. Sabina highlights their promise of same-day or next-day appointments. Patients can often see a doctor within an hour, skipping the waiting room altogether.

Sabina jokes, "Our waiting room chairs are probably the most underused furniture here. Patients are whisked away so quickly, they barely have time to sit down."Patients spend minimal time at the front desk and quickly see a nurse for vitals and initial history, followed by a provider.

Sabina explains, "We don’t bombard them with endless surveys. Spending more time with patients helps me understand their unique circumstances without endless forms."

This efficient approach leads to higher patient satisfaction. In traditional systems, patients often wait weeks for proper care, but Anovia Health provides timely evaluations without extra costs. For employers, this level of care translates to healthier employees, fewer medical claims, and better productivity.

A patient of Anovia Health says:

"Dr Singh is one of the Best General Practitioners that I have had in my 45 years. Her and her staff take the time to get to know you, listen, learn about you, explain in easy terms, and make you feel like you are their priority. Thank You Dr Singh and your Staff!!"

The flexible approach accommodates video visits for remote employees and manages chronic conditions like diabetes with frequent monitoring if needed. Sabina notes, "In traditional systems, it's impossible to provide that level of care with high patient volumes."