From Cancer Diagnosis to Healthcare AI Founder: How One Sabbatical Unlocked Matilda Narulita’s Purpose

Battling Cancer at 27: A Reality No One Expected

In 2014, Matilda Narulita (then 27) received a diagnosis that shook her world advanced stage 3B cancer. She was working at PwC, young, and determined. The news made her angry rather than broken; in Indonesian culture, she explains, serious illness carries a stigma that implies life is over. As the eldest daughter, Matilda felt responsibility and wanted to disprove that stereotype. Instead of succumbing, she chose productivity.

Juggling Chemotherapy and MBA Applications

During a grueling six-month chemo treatment in Singapore (2015), Matilda didn’t pause her ambitions. She spent good days writing MBA essays, sourcing recommendation letters, and updating her CV. On worse days, she tackled smaller administrative tasks or organized documentation.

Amazingly, she interviewed for an MBA program between her ninth and tenth chemo sessions, and on the day of her final treatment, received confirmation of a government scholarship to study at the University of Michigan’s Ross School of Business.

MBA Dreams Shattered and Rebuilt

Matilda thought she’d be healed by the time she enrolled in Michigan, but upon arrival she discovered another tumor waiting. This devastating discovery shattered her expectation of a linear recovery. At business school, surrounded by overachievers, she grappled with uncertainty and the pressure to keep up. She thrived on structure as a consultant, yet now had to let go of control and of certainty.

Returning to McKinsey Until Burnout Hit

After earning her MBA in 2018, Matilda rejoined McKinsey, focusing on digital transformation and energy projects her long-held passion. Despite excellent support, chronic health flare-ups interrupted her ability to fully engage with these roles. She had access to travel, training, and tailored assignments but her body pulled her back.

The Year That Changed Everything: A Sabbatical to Heal

In 2021, Matilda made a bold decision: she resigned from McKinsey and embarked on a three-year sabbatical. This break was far from idle; it was a deliberate reset. She prioritized healing physically with strength training, swimming, boxing and mentally, by spending quality time between Jakarta and her hometown in Yogyakarta, close to family, her greatest support system.

Finding Fate Through Break

During that year, Matilda encountered her now business partner and CEO of the emerging startup Nexmedis. Initially advising him, the partnership naturally progressed toward co‑founding a healthtech AI company. This shift surprised Matilda she had previously envisioned a career in energy. Yet the sabbatical revealed clarity: she discovered her ikigai, a Japanese concept referring to one’s true purpose. Despite the pivot in sector, the lessons from her hardship made her uniquely suited to transform Indonesia’s healthcare system.

What is Nexmedis?

Nexmedis, founded in 2023 by Yehuda Dani Utomo (CEO), Matilda Narulita (COO), and Dr. Almer Deta Tarandha (CMO), uses AI-powered Health Information Systems (HIS) to modernize Indonesia’s healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics, and public health centers.

Its core offerings include:

• Clinical Decision Support (CDS) that provides ICD‑10‑based diagnostic suggestions and smooths insurance claims for BPJS and private insurers.

• An AI transcription tool (under development) that converts doctor-patient voice notes into structured digital records to reduce administrative burden and improve workflow efficiency.

Since August 2023, Nexmedis has served over 400 healthcare facilities, earned recognition under Indonesia’s Ministry of Health Regulatory Sandbox (“Dibina oleh Kemenkes”), and partnered with Kominfo and Gadjah Mada University for research and digital innovations.

A Vision Rooted in Recovery and Purpose

Matilda’s sabbatical created space for recovery, reconnection, and reflection. It let her redefine what success meant beyond corporate milestones or prestige. It helped her understand she wanted to build something meaningful: impactful healthcare innovation informed by personal resilience.

Together with her co-founders, she is working to bridge gaps in Indonesia’s fragmented medical system. In doing so, she’s not just solving inefficiencies, she’s transforming how people experience healthcare.

Why This Journey Matters

Matilda’s path from cancer diagnosis, through burnout, to startup leadership offers a powerful lesson. Professional ambition alone isn’t always enough. Sometimes, stepping back is the only way to move forward with clarity and intention.

Her story highlights:

• The importance of rest and healing after trauma.

• The unexpected value of a sabbatical in redefining identity and goals.

• How adversity can align you with your true calling.

Purpose and Health as Building Blocks for Change

Matilda Narulita transformed personal hardship into entrepreneurial opportunity. By healing within and finding the space to really think about what mattered she discovered her purpose. Today, through Nexmedis, she’s helping reshape Indonesian healthcare with innovative AI systems that serve patients and providers alike.

Her journey is a testament to the idea that real impact comes not from speed, but from clarity, healing, and purpose.