There have also been new appointments to Medicines Australia and the NDIA.
Rural generalist and telehealth expert Dr Shaun Francis has joined the board of the Australasian Institute of Digital Health.
The AIDH’s CEO Mark Nevin welcomed Dr Francis to the board after he was elected on Tuesday night.
“Shaun brings a wealth of experience from his role with the Royal Flying Doctor Service Queensland as the executive general manager of Virtual Health and Clinical Informatics, and operational lead for telehealth services,” said Mr Nevin.
Dr Francis is also a member of the AIDH’s Queensland Branch Committee. His LinkedIn profile reveals he has been with the RFDS of Australia for more than six years in various roles and is currently based in Cairns.
He was also a senior medical officer and rural generalist with Queensland Health for more than three years and is a member of the digital health committee with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Mr Nevin also congratulated Dr Jen Bichel-Findlay, who was re-elected to the AIDH board for another three years.
“My personal thanks to outgoing board members, former vice-chair Dr Monica Trujillo and Professor Wendy Chapman for their valued contributions over the past three years, and their guidance in recent months,” said Mr Nevin.
Mr Nevin said the team had been “focused on organisational excellence to continue to foster a high-performance, innovative culture that is well-governed, diverse and growing”.
“We are doing so while keeping other projects and priorities on track. In workforce advancement, we are progressing work with the Australian Digital Health Agency on the Capability Action Plan and have just hit a huge milestone of 2000 CHIA graduates,” he said.
NEW FACES AT MEDICINES AUSTRALIA
Three new Directors and one re-elected director were appointed to the Medicines Australia Board at its annual general meeting this week.
Anne Harris (Pfizer) was re-elected for a second three-year term, while Gabi Mittas (Amgen), Dirk Otto (Boehringer Ingelheim) and Urs Voegeli (Janssen-Cilag) were elected to join the board.
They fill positions vacated by Stuart Knight (Roche) who is retiring, Ashraf Al-Ouf (Bayer) who has accepted a promotion and is relocating to Singapore and James McDonnell (Vifor) who stepped down from the Board in June 2023.
MA Chair Dr Anna Lavelle welcomed the new directors and congratulated Ms Harris on her re-appointment, recognising their depth of industry experience and commitment to continuing to drive reforms.
She said each brought “unique global perspectives” combined with a deep understanding of the policy challenges and political landscape that Australia’s pharmaceutical industry was facing.
“As we continue to build on momentum for reforms, there are strong foundations in place to address other pressing policy issues that ultimately affect patient access to medicines and vaccines,” said Dr Lavelle.
“The harmonious leadership of our Board and ability to unite the industry on shared goals during this period is critical to our success.”
“The strong position that Medicines Australia is in today is thanks to vision and leadership of our current board, and I thank you for your dedication and drive, and extend my deepest gratitude to outgoing Directors, Stuart Knight, Ashraf Al-Ouf and James McDonnell who have made a significant contribution during their service.”
NEW ROLE FOR AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR
Lauded plastic and reconstructive surgeon and researcher, Professor Fiona Wood, has joined the board of Orthocell as an independent non-executive director.
Orthocell is a Western Australia-based regenerative medicine company dedicated to the development of breakthrough products for the treatment of musculoskeletal disorders.
A former Australian of the Year, Professor Wood brings a wealth of experience in navigating pathways for the development and commercialisation of innovative regenerative medicine products, successful international product launches and engagement of strategic partners, the company said in a statement this week.
Professor Wood is internationally recognised for developing and commercialising the RECELL “spray on skin” treatment – which has transformed the recovery path for burns victims. Invented with colleague Marie Stoner, the innovative treatment uses a patient’s own skin cells to help restore damaged skin and significantly reduce permanent scarring.
Orthocell chair John Van Der Wielen, said the company was delighted to welcome Professor Wood to the board.
“Professor Wood is a globally recognised plastic and reconstructive surgeon and one of Australia’s most innovative and respected surgeons and researchers,” he said.
“Professor Wood has an unrivalled track record in the development of tissue related medical devices and drugs, including the successful RECELL “spray on skin” treatment for burns. It says a great deal about our Company to secure the services of such a globally recognised professional.”
Professor Wood was named Australian of the Year in 2005. She was voted Australia’s Most Trusted Person for six successive years (2005-2010) in a Reader’s Digest poll and has been recognised as an “Australian Living Treasure” by the National Trust.
POSITIONS VACANT
DoHAC is looking for an assistant director in its Digital Transformation and Delivery Division. The roles may include those with a high level of responsibility and accountability for one or more of the following:
- ICT Procurement and Contract management
- Finance and Budget management
- Resource, workforce, and engagement management
- Executive Support, ICT Business management and administration
Product, program, and project management DTDD is looking to fill various roles across the division through this process. A merit pool will be established through this selection process which may be used to fill future vacancies on an ongoing or non-ongoing basis.
With there being multiple opportunities within DTDD successful applicants may be offered a role considered suited to their relevant skills and experience. The salary range on offer is $111,940 – $127,670.
Applications opened today and close Sunday 12 November. More details from Rowe Reichstein at Rowe.REICHSTEIN@Health.gov.au
DoHAC is also looking for “passionate and motivated leaders” to join the NSW Northern and Western aged care regional teams, one role based in Dubbo, and one role based in Coffs Harbour. The newly created teams will be focussed on the stewardship of the aged care system in these regions, including supporting the implementation of aged care reforms, solutions brokering, capability and capacity building and using local knowledge and experiences to inform national planning and policy design.
The positions offer flexible working arrangements including working from home and opportunities to visit and work from different communities across Northern or Western NSW, with a minimum of one day a week in the local office.
The salary on offer is $111,940 – $127,670 and applications close on 10 November. More details from Jennifer Morser on 0475 825 970 or at jennifer.morser@health.gov.au
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