Meet Nadine Singh

We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Nadine Singh a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Nadine, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?

Resilience, for me, is rooted in a life shaped by adversity and fueled by determination. I was born and raised in Jamaica, where poverty was a constant companion. My father left my mother, brother, and me when I was only two years old, forcing my mother to become the backbone of our family. She worked tirelessly, showing me that survival requires courage and perseverance, even when life feels insurmountable.

At just 16 years old, my life took a turn that many would consider a setback—I became pregnant. Unable to continue school, I dropped out of high school in Jamaica, a decision that came with its own stigma and challenges. Still, I never lost sight of the fact that my future, and that of my child, depended on my ability to rise above my circumstances. I promised myself that my story would not end there.

When I migrated to the United States, I carried the weight of that promise, along with dreams far greater than my circumstances. Life as an undocumented immigrant was not easy. I faced uncertainty, cultural shock, and economic instability. Yet, I refused to let those challenges define me. I enrolled in a GED program, determined to rewrite my story and build a foundation for a better future.

Earning my GED was more than an academic milestone—it was a declaration of my resilience. It symbolized my decision to fight for a life of opportunity despite the odds stacked against me. From there, I worked as a certified nursing assistant (CNA), a role that introduced me to the transformative power of caring for others. I climbed the ranks in the healthcare field, advancing from CNA to nurse, then to nurse practitioner, and ultimately earning my doctorate in nursing practice. Each step was a testament to my belief in the power of perseverance and education.

My resilience also comes from my role as a mother. Being a young parent taught me to prioritize, endure, and push through when the weight of the world felt unbearable. My child became both my motivation and my reminder that love and determination could overcome any challenge.

Today, as the founder and CEO of Premier Mobile Health Services, I dedicate my life to serving underserved communities, especially women and children. I have turned my hardships into a platform for change, ensuring that others have access to the resources and care I once struggled to find.

Resilience, for me, is not about avoiding failure but about rising each time life knocks you down. It is the culmination of my struggles as a teenage mother, an immigrant, and a high school dropout. It is the unwavering belief that no matter where you start, your journey can lead to greatness if you refuse to give up. My story is proof that adversity is not the end—it’s the beginning of transformation.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

At Premier Mobile Health Services, our mission extends far beyond healthcare—it’s about hope, compassion, and breaking barriers. As a nonprofit organization, we provide critical healthcare services to the underserved, uninsured, and underinsured populations. Our focus is on ensuring that individuals and families, who often find themselves in impossible situations, have access to the care they need without the burden of financial stress.

One story that deeply resonated with us this summer is that of Evelyn, a 40-year-old mother of two teenage daughters. Like so many in our community, Evelyn’s Medicaid coverage expired just as she was preparing to re-enter the workforce. When she noticed a persistent pain under her left arm, she found a large mass. The fear was immediate and overwhelming: What if this is cancer? With no insurance and no clear path to care, Evelyn’s thoughts were consumed by worry about her children—how they would manage if the worst were true.

Fortunately, Evelyn was referred to Premier Mobile Health Services by a local hospital. Our team stepped in to provide free screenings and wrote the necessary orders for a diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound. This was more than a medical intervention; it was a turning point in Evelyn’s journey, offering not just care but also reassurance that she wasn’t facing this alone.

What makes our work special is the deep, personal connection we form with our patients and the ripple effect our services create in the community. Each patient’s story, like Evelyn’s, reinforces why we do what we do. It’s about restoring dignity, addressing fears, and providing a safety net where there once was none.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to expand our reach and services. Our mobile clinic will soon bring care to even more communities, including Fort Myers Beach, which was heavily impacted by Hurricane Helene. We are also exploring partnerships to integrate innovative teledermatology services, ensuring even greater access to specialized care.

This work is not easy, but it’s deeply fulfilling. We invite everyone to join us in our mission—whether through partnerships, donations, or simply spreading the word. Together, we can continue to ensure that no one in our community feels alone or without options when it comes to their health.

Evelyn’s story is just one example of the lives we touch every day. For her and so many others, Premier Mobile Health Services represents not just healthcare, but hope.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

1. Resilience
Life and leadership are full of unexpected challenges—some personal, some professional, and often both. Resilience is the ability to keep moving forward despite setbacks, rejections, or obstacles. For example, when starting Premier Mobile Health Services, there were times when funding was uncertain, partnerships fell through, or the needs of the community felt overwhelming. Staying focused on the mission and believing in the vision helped me weather those storms.
Advice: Cultivate resilience by embracing challenges as opportunities for growth. Practice self-reflection to understand your triggers and develop a mindset that sees obstacles as temporary, not defining.

2. Empathy and Compassion
In healthcare, and particularly in nonprofit work, empathy is non-negotiable. The ability to truly listen, understand, and connect with others is what makes our work meaningful. Stories like Evelyn’s remind me that beyond diagnoses and treatments are individuals with unique fears, dreams, and responsibilities.
Advice: Practice active listening and make a habit of putting yourself in others’ shoes. Volunteering or engaging directly with communities you wish to serve can also deepen your understanding of their needs.

3. Strategic Thinking
Running a nonprofit mobile clinic is not just about providing care—it’s about sustainability, partnerships, and impact. Strategic thinking allowed me to focus on long-term goals while managing day-to-day operations, such as how to scale services, secure funding, and form lasting collaborations. For example, deciding to expand our mobile clinic’s services or integrating teledermatology into our offerings required weighing costs, benefits, and alignment with our mission.
Advice: Build this skill by setting clear goals and learning to analyze data, trends, and opportunities. A mentor can be invaluable in helping you think strategically and see the bigger picture.

For Those Early in Their Journey:
Be Curious and Never Stop Learning
Invest in yourself through education, whether formal or self-guided. Attend workshops, read voraciously, and stay curious about the field you’re entering.

Seek Out Mentors and Build Relationships
Surround yourself with people who inspire you and are willing to share their wisdom. Their guidance can provide shortcuts to insights that might take years to learn on your own.

Take Action and Stay Patient
It’s easy to get caught up in waiting for the “perfect” moment or opportunity, but progress comes from action. At the same time, recognize that meaningful growth takes time.

Whatever your journey, focus on aligning your skills, passions, and purpose. When these come together, success becomes not just possible but deeply fulfilling.

As we end our chat, is there a book you can leave people with that’s been meaningful to you and your development?

“How to Win Friends and Influence People” by Dale Carnegie has been a cornerstone in my personal and professional development. It’s a timeless guide to building meaningful relationships, communicating effectively, and understanding human behavior. Here are a few of the most impactful lessons that have shaped my journey:

1. “Become Genuinely Interested in Other People”
Carnegie emphasizes that people want to feel valued and understood. This principle has been transformative, especially in healthcare and nonprofit work. When I meet patients, donors, or partners, showing genuine interest in their stories, needs, and aspirations builds trust and fosters collaboration.
Application: Ask thoughtful questions, listen intently, and make people feel seen and heard. This approach not only strengthens relationships but also opens doors to opportunities.

2. “Talk in Terms of the Other Person’s Interests”
To influence or connect with someone, you must align with what matters to them. For instance, when building partnerships for Premier Mobile Health Services, I frame our mission in ways that resonate with the values of potential partners, showing how collaboration benefits them and the community.
Application: Tailor your communication to align with the priorities and goals of others. Understand their “why” and build your message around it.

3. “Give Honest and Sincere Appreciation”
Carnegie’s principle of giving genuine praise has been invaluable. Recognizing and appreciating the efforts of my team, donors, and community members not only boosts morale but also reinforces the spirit of collaboration. People are more motivated when they feel their contributions are acknowledged.
Application: Express gratitude openly and sincerely. Highlight specific contributions to make your appreciation more impactful.

4. “The Only Way to Win an Argument Is to Avoid It”
This wisdom has been crucial in conflict resolution. Carnegie teaches that winning an argument often comes at the cost of a relationship. Instead, finding common ground and seeking mutual understanding leads to better outcomes.
Application: When disagreements arise, focus on empathy, listening, and de-escalation. Shift from winning the argument to finding a solution.

5. “Let the Other Person Feel That the Idea Is Theirs”
People are more invested in ideas they believe they’ve contributed to. I’ve used this insight in team meetings and partnerships, encouraging input and collaboration so others feel ownership over decisions.
Application: Ask for input, listen actively, and incorporate others’ ideas. Collaboration creates buy-in and builds stronger relationships.

How It Has Shaped My Journey:
This book helped me recognize that success is not just about knowledge or technical skills—it’s about people. It taught me to lead with empathy, communicate effectively, and build bridges, which are critical in my work as a nonprofit leader. For anyone looking to improve their interpersonal skills, I highly recommend it. The principles are simple yet powerful and can be applied in every facet of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.premiermobileheath.org

Image Credits

Nadine Singh