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Derwent Movers and Shakers In Healthcare

Healthcare Practice • Jul 22, 2020

2020 has been an interesting and undeniably testing year, however, Derwent’s Healthcare Practice remains busy and buoyant. In the first half of this year, we’ve worked with a broad base of healthcare clients and executive talent and there are strong indications of continuing positivity in the second half of the year. What follows is a summary of some of the exciting mandates that Derwent’s Healthcare Practice has been privileged to partner on in 2020.

Ms Brenda Ainsworth has been appointed as Chief Executive of The Skin Hospital, a leading centre of excellence in Australia for dermatological clinical services, education, research & clinical trials. Brenda spent the last eight years with Calvary Health Care as their National Director of Hospitals with responsibility for 11 Private and 4 Public Hospitals.

Mr Paul Darcy has commenced as the new General Manager for St George Hospital, part of South Eastern Sydney LHD. Paul brings a valuable range of corporate and clinical leadership skills and experience developed throughout his career, spanning both the public and private hospital settings.

Mr Martin Canova has joined NSW Health Pathology as Director of Strategy and Transformation. Martin brings a wealth of skills from his clinical leadership roles within health, as well as valuable experience from transport and professional services.

Prof Amanda Johnson joins the University of Newcastle as their new Dean and Head of School of Nursing and Midwifery. Previously Amanda was the Head of School, School of Nursing, Midwifery & Paramedicine at the Australian Catholic University following several years in leadership roles with Western Sydney University.

Ms Deborah Thomas has joined Camp Quality, one of Australia’s most highly regarded kids’ cancer support charities, as their new CEO. As well as managing some of Australia’s most popular magazine brands, including The Australian Women’s Weekly, where she was Editor-in-Chief for nine years, Deborah has spent her career working with purpose-driven organisations such as Sydney Children’s Hospital Foundation, the Royal Hospital for Women Foundation, Father Chris Riley’s Youth off the Streets and is a founding patron of the Taronga Conservation Foundation.

Mr Umit Agis has been appointed as Chief Executive, Far West Local Health District, NSW. Umit is an experienced healthcare leader across multiple jurisdictions and was most recently Director of Strategy and Clinical Operations, Country Health South Australia, and prior to that was the Group General Manager for Tasmanian Health.

Ms Margaret Bennett has commenced as Chief Executive, Southern NSW Local Health District. Prior to this role, Margaret was the CEO of Northeast Health Wangaratta in Victoria. Margaret brings an extensive background in regional and rural health leadership across three states, combined with strong clinical and community health management experience.

Ms Sue Shilbury has joined Uniting as their Director of Children, Youth, and Family division. Sue was previously CEO of Austin Health in Melbourne and brings an impressive track record of clinical and executive leadership across a range of settings in both Australia and the UK.

Dr Marianne Gale has joined South East Sydney Local Health District as Director of Population and Community Health. Marianne is a Public Health Physician with most recent experience as Medical Advisor to the Chief Health Officer, NSW Health. Marianne brings strong national and international experience to the role, having worked in several jurisdictions and spent 5 years as a Field Doctor and Medical Advisor with Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF).

Mr Abbas Alibhai has joined Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District as their Director of Finance. Abbas brings a fresh perspective to this role, having spent his earlier career working within the international automotive and energy sectors before moving into aged care, and now his first move into public health.

Mr Miguel Diaz joined Parkinson’s Queensland as Chief Executive Officer. Miguel has a varied background across the performing arts, professional services, corporate, NFP, and government sectors.

Ms Sue Channon joined Evolution Healthcare as their new Chief Executive. She has spent more than 20 years in chief executive roles and was Group Chief Executive at Virtus from 2010 until earlier this year. Sue has a reputation as a decisive and impactful leader whose leadership is underpinned by deep clinical knowledge, particularly within fertility, hospitals, diagnostics, and pathology.

Ms Louise O’Connor became Chief of Health Operations at Cabrini Health in April, taking on the role previously held by Sue Williams prior to her appointment as CEO. Previously she held the role of Executive Director - Epworth Eastern Private Hospital for six years. Louise brings with her a strong track record in innovation, clinical safety, patient outcomes and experience, staff engagement, and leading hospitals in the provision of excellence.

Director of Neonatal Medicine at The Royal Children's Hospital, and Co-Director of Neonatal Research at the Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Professor Rod Hunt has accepted a position with Monash University as the Financial Markets Foundation Chair in Neonatal Paediatrics. Simultaneously, he takes up a paediatric consulting role with Monash Newborn at Monash Health. Rod is a senior clinical academic researcher and will be responsible for developing a research program that is fully integrated across the clinical service and the University’s research platforms.

Dr Philippa Hawkings recently took up a role as Director Medical Services at Alfred Health. She joins the Alfred Health CMO office following nearly two years as Chief Medical Officer at Latrobe Regional Hospital. Philippa’s role focuses upon the Governance portfolio including safety & quality leadership and advice, and the oversight of Legal Support Services.

Ms Susan Wardle was appointed as Executive Director, Strategy & Partnerships at Western Health in January 2020. She leads the new Directorate of Strategy and Partnerships and is an experienced transformation specialist who fosters creativity and innovation. Prior to this, Susan was Executive General Manager Partnerships at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and spent 10 years at Epworth Healthcare.

Joining Susan Wardle at Western Health, Ms Charlotte Veldhoen – vd Avoort became Director of Strategy and Service Planning in June. Previously, Charlotte was an Associate Director at KPMG Australia. Charlotte has extensive healthcare transformation experience derived across the Netherlands, the U.K., and Australia.

Mr Lindon Le Griffon joined Japara Healthcare in February as their Chief Operations Officer. Lindon has had a long and varied career working in senior operational management roles in both the Australian and U.K. Aged Care sectors. He brings a track record of delivering exceptional business outcomes and has deep experience in understanding consumers, and using that insight to drive best practice outcomes.

Camp Quality has just announced Ms Sandie Hall as their new Head of Revenue. Reporting to CEO, Deborah Thomas, from September, Sandie will be responsible for building CQ’s brand awareness, expanding and diversifying their donor and partnership base/pipeline thus enabling greater mission impact. Sandie leaves behind her role as Associate Director, Philanthropy at RMIT.

Ms Sue McKee took up her role as CEO of Dental Health Services Victoria (DHSV) in January. Starting her career as a Registered Nurse, Sue progressed to the roles of Nursing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive of several public, NFP, and privately-owned organisations. Most recently, Sue held the roles of Chief Value Officer and Executive Director Value-Based Health Care Implementation at DHSV.

Mr Steve Symes has been appointed Chief Operating Officer of Device Technologies. Steve offers an impressive background with most recent experience as VP Operations & Logistics for Stryker and prior experience with American Express.

Mr Karl Pechmann has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer of Oncosil Medical. Karl will work with the organisation through the next stages of its commercialisation. Karl offers a strong finance background in emerging technologies.

Mr Anthony Chambers has joined Nexus Day Hospitals as Chief Medical Director. Anthony is a senior surgical oncologist specialising in surgery for breast cancer, melanoma, sarcoma, and soft tissue tumours, and endocrine surgery, and works in both the public and private healthcare sectors.

Mr Colin La Galia has been appointed to the role of CEO at Epichem and Director on the Epichem Board. Formerly the Regional Business Director and Commercial Head of Asia Pacific, China, and Japan for Abbott Rapid Diagnostics in Toxicology, Colin has also held senior leadership roles for Alere Inc, Origin Healthcare, Hollywood Fertility Centre, GlaxoSmithKline and Merck Sharpe & Dohme.

Mr Ben Howat has joined the private equity backed Smart Clinics business as Chief Operating Officer. Ben offers a strong operational background in multi-site settings including Healius.

Ms Kim Brooklyn took up her role as the CEO of Parkerville Children and Youth Care (WA), a long established and highly regarded leader of integrated care and advocacy for vulnerable children, youth, and their families. Kim is a clinical psychologist who’s early career working with indigenous clients has led her to a career in operational and executive roles.

Mr David Sharpham was appointed as the General Manager Technology and Transformation for the Bethanie Group in June 2020. Highly credentialled within the corporate finance sector, including three years as Bankwest’s Executive Manager Strategy, David has returned to Perth for this role after recent positions within disability and community services have ignited his passion for the NFP sector.

Mr Jason Smith has joined Intelife as the General Manager Commercial Services. Jason brings his considerable business development and senior management experience from time at LafargeHolcim, Vinidex, and Georg Fischer to this key role for Intelife. As a leading disabilities service provider, Intelife’s Commercial Services deliver a wide range of facilities services to Local Authorities, State Government agencies, and private organisations.

Mr Max Clarke was announced as HIF’s Executive Manager Member Experiences in April 2020. Max has extensive experience in leading large customer focused teams to deliver outstanding results for customers across the finance and insurance sectors. Recent leadership roles have included Chief Operating Officer Retail Bank and GM Contact Centres and Operations for Bankwest.

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