While there’s nothing public so far, internally the appointment of Richard Taggart has been confirmed.
Richard Taggart, current national director of IT and digital at Calvary Health Care, has been named as the new CEO of eHealth NSW.
Mr Taggart, a pharmacist by training, has been in the Calvary role since February 2023 and prior to that was CIO of the Sydney Local Health District for four years.
HSD understands Mr Taggart’s new role has been announced internally at eHealth NSW but no public announcement has yet been made.
He replaces long-time CEO Dr Zoran Bolevich who started a new position as CEO of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare in June after eight years running eHealth NSW.
Professor Amith Shetty has been acting CEO since Dr Bolevich’s departure.
Mr Taggart is currently a non-executive director on the board of Healthdirect Australia and chair of the Australian Stroke and Heart Research Accelerator. He is also a part-time adjunct associate professor at the University of Sydney.
NSW Health Secretary Susan Pearce and eHealth NSW board chair Damon Rees confirmed Mr Taggart’s appointment in a statement to HSD on Tuesday morning.
Mr Taggart will start in the role on 20 January 2025.
Fentiman out of Queensland health shadow
Former Queensland health minister Shannon Fentiman will not be the Labor Party’s shadow spokesperson for health, former premier Steven Miles has announced.
Ms Fentiman took over the health portfolio in May 2023 until the government changed on 26 October this year.
Prior to that she was the attorney-general and minister for justice, but that’s not the role she’s returning to in opposition.
Instead, she has been appointed as shadow treasurer and shadow minister for women.
Mark Bailey is the new shadow minister for health and ambulance services and the shadow minister for mental health.
Mr Bailey has been the member for Miller since 2015 and was previously the minister for transport and main roads.
Incidentally, his partner is Meaghan Scanlon, the new shadow attorney-general, shadow minister for justice and shadow minister for housing, homelessness and home ownership.
Power couple.
Award for QUT’s Morawska
Global air quality expert Distinguished Professor Lidia Morawska has been presented with the 2024 Planetary Health Award by none other than Prince Albert II of Monaco.
The Planetary Health Awards honour key international figures and organisations, with only three recipients each year.
Foundation CEO Olivier Wenden said the 2024 award recognised Professor Morawska’s “outstanding scientific work on air quality and its impact on human health and the environment”.
“My dream is for my work to be one small pillar in keeping this planet habitable, with a clean and unpolluted atmosphere, and filling our indoor spaces with pollution-free air to help us thrive,” Professor Morawska said at the ceremony.
“I fully recognise that everything I accomplished was possible because of the generous support I received during my professional journey.
“Thank you to my colleagues from all over the world and from all disciplines, and to my students for having been part of this incredible journey.”
Professor Morawska is a physicist with the QUT School of Earth and Atmospheric Sciences and has researched air quality for more than 30 years.
RPA Haematology Nurse recognised for leadership
Clinical Associate Professor Tracy King, Myeloma Clinical Nurse Consultant (CNC) in RPA’s Haematology Department, has received with the Haematology Society of Australia and New Zealand (HSANZ) 2024 Leadership in Haematology Award.
This award honours an individual who demonstrates extraordinary commitment to leadership in haematology. Nominees have a record of accomplishment and leadership that has contributed positively to the haematology profession.
Among her many leadership roles at RPA, Tracy was co-founder and a Past President of the HSANZ Nurses’ group, and she also founded and is Chair of the HSANZ Myeloma Specialist Network.
Tracy also co-founded and is chair of the Annual Nursing and Allied Health Symposium for the International Myeloma Society (IMS).
“I’m absolutely delighted to be honoured in this way by my peers in Haematology,” she said.
“I’m grateful to my colleagues, Jacqui Jagger and Andy Steele, for nominating me, and for HSANZ Council for recognising my contributions to haematology nurse education, mentorship and practice, and the supportive care of those with myeloma both within our region, and internationally.
“I look forward to continuing to contribute to the great work of HSANZ, especially within the nursing and myeloma space.”