It’s time to move innovations into production, says CEO Bettina McMahon. Plus news from Catholic Health Australia, Australian Unity, ACSEP and the NBA.
CEO of Healthdirect Australia Bettina McMahon has put out a call for a leader for a “small, high-impact” team to help the organisation “push through the barriers that keep good ideas stuck in proof-of-concept”.
The role – general manager, transformation office – was posted on LinkedIn this morning, with a personal note from Ms McMahon.
“Over the past 18 months, we’ve trialled generative AI to: translate health advice in real time for non-English speakers; personalise self-care guidance using retrieval-augmented generation; and audit calls more efficiently and cost-effectively,” she wrote.
“But like many organisations, we’ve struggled to move these innovations into production.
“We’re responding by creating a senior role to identify transformational opportunities and drive them safely through to delivery.
“This is a senior role working directly with me and the executive team for up to two years.
“You’ll need to be in our Sydney office at least two days a week, but I expect you’ll have passions outside work as I do, which we will find a way to accommodate.
“You’ll also need transformational experience in the health sector under your belt.”
Key responsibilities of the role include:
- leading enterprise-wide transformation across Healthdirect in digital, cultural and process areas;
- developing and delivering a transformation roadmap for innovation and growth;
- driving adoption of innovative technologies to enhance services and efficiency;
- aligning goals with senior leadership and ensuring accountability for results;
- designing new delivery approaches, guiding a core transformation team to support broader business transformation; and,
- tracking progress, removing roadblocks and ensuring successful delivery.
More details and how to apply are available here.
New CEO for Australian Unity
Australian Unity, which provides health insurance, financial services, retirement, disability and aged care services, has appointed former Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin as its new CEO.
Ms Bayer Rosmarin left the telco in November of 2023 after almost four years in the role, following criticism of the company’s handling of a national service outage.
She is taking over on 15 December from retiring Australian Unity CEO Rohan Mead, who is leaving after 21 years in the role, following a transition period starting 5 November.
Given Optus’ current dramas, including a new triple-zero outage involving 5000 customers in NSW over the weekend, the timing is not ideal for AU, but HSD is in no way suggesting Ms Bayer Rosmarin bears any responsibility, past or present.
Australian Unity chair Lisa Chung said Ms Bayer Rosmarin’s experience leading large-scale transformation programs and digital innovations was key to her appointment.
A dynamic and adept contemporary business leader, Kelly possesses the values alignment and credentials to advance the group’s vision of positively impacting the wellbeing of its members, customers, employees and the community,” Ms Chung said.
“Australian Unity is undertaking a significant transformation program, positioning the organisation to respond to demographic trends that are expected to increase demand for our services and investment in key sectors.
“What stood out to us during the selection process is Kelly’s compelling combination of care, intellect and business acumen. Coupled with her proven ability to unlock growth through best practice innovation, she is expertly placed to enable Australian Unity to realise this opportunity, and improve member and customer outcomes.
“In addition, her leadership credentials are informed by the resilience, humility and perspective gained from navigating, at scale, the challenges and opportunities of the contemporary corporate operating environment.
“As a board, we look forward to welcoming Kelly to Australian Unity and working together to deliver on our purpose to positively impact the wellbeing of millions.”
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Interim CEO of Catholic Health Australia
Here’s one that whipped past us on its way to the boundary.
Kathy Hilyard, co-founder of the Centre for Collective Leadership, has been named as interim CEO of Catholic Healthcare Australia following the departure of Jason Kara.
Mr Kara left in August after almost two years in the role.
Ms Hilyard said she was “thrilled” to accept the interim role as recruitment for a permanent CEO gets underway.
“I would like to acknowledge the expertise and energy that Jason has brought to this role and the significant achievements that he and the team have delivered in advocacy and influence during his leadership,” she said.
“I look forward to working with this incredibly talented team, the board and with our members in the coming few months to continue the important work of CHA as a trusted partner, ensuring the Catholic Health and aged care sector has a voice in shaping health and aged care policy; contributing to sector reform; and continuing to foster collaborative environments to share knowledge and improvements across the sector.”
Board chair Jenny Parker was full of praise for Mr Kara.
“Since taking on the role in October 2023, Jason has led a strong advocacy team, helping to foster great relationships with portfolio ministers and their departments as well as governments more broadly,” she said.
“Under his leadership, some important reforms to the Aged Care Act have been won and we continued with our campaign to bring the dire financial position of private hospitals to the fore, among other achievements. Jason goes with our very best wishes for his next career move.”
Mr Kara is currently on the board of directors of the Climate and Health Alliance, and a director of Counsel House.
Public health expert to lead National Blood Authority
Adjunct Professor Adriana Platona has been named as the new CEO of the National Blood Authority for the next four years, starting this week.
She replaces John Cahill, who will retire after nine years in the role.
Professor Platona was most recently first assistant with the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care. She has been with the department in a variety of roles since September 2003, including stints at the TGA, the pharmaceutical evaluation branch and the technology assessment and access division.
Jointly funded by the Australian government and Australia’s state and territory governments, the NBA employs approximately 90 staff members and manages a world-class blood supply worth more than $2 billion.
“Adjunct Professor Platona has a long-standing track record of success and her alignment with the NBA’s mission will enable her to build on its history of delivering a world-class blood supply and life-saving outcomes that meet the blood-related needs of all Australians,” said the assistant minister for health and aged care, Rebecca White.
New CEO for ACSEP
Sudi Sekhar, the current deputy CEO and executive director of membership and engagement at the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, will leave the college on 5 November to take on a new challenge.
Mr Sekhar, who has been with RANZCOG in various roles since May 2019, has been appointed as CEO of the Australasian College of Sport and Exercise Physicians, starting on 11 November.
“It is a privilege to step into this role, and I look forward to working closely with the board, staff, members and partners to continue advancing the mission and vision of ACSEP,” said Mr Sekhar in a LinkedIn post.
“I would like to express my sincere thanks to RANZCOG for the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution to women’s health. A special thank you to Vase Jovanoska for your leadership, guidance and support.”