Plus, news from Teachers Health Group, AusBiotech, Medicines Australia, and the DoHDA.
Arthritis Australia has made Louise Hardy its permanent CEO after her 4.5-month stint as interim CEO.
Ms Hardy has been with AA in various capacities since October of 2021 and took over after the five-year tenure of Jonathan Smithers ended in July of last year.
Chair of the AA board, Kaylene Hubbard, said Ms Hardy had already had a significant impact as interim CEO, managing the development and launch of the organisation’s first reconciliation action plan, revitalising the research investment program, and “forging deeper partnerships with priority stakeholders”.
“Louise … combines strategic vision with strong leadership and the ability to bring people together – building strong and collaborative relationships with state and territory arthritis organisations, researchers, clinicians, and policymakers,” said Ms Hubbard.
“Her energy, expertise, and collaborative approach have established strong momentum for Arthritis Australia, and we believe she has the skills and vision to lead the organisation into a new era of growth and impact.”
Ms Hardy said she was “truly honoured” to be given the role on a permanent basis.
“I am truly honoured to step in to lead Arthritis Australia and work actively with the arthritis community and key stakeholders to address the limited awareness of the scale and impact of these conditions, as well as the stark underfunding of research,” she said.
“With more than 100 types of arthritis, there are many challenges, but also significant opportunities – to improve quality of life, keep people in the workforce, reduce pressure on the health system, and ultimately find cures for these debilitating conditions which affect more than a quarter of the Australian population.”
Ms Hardy also serves as deputy chair of the Consumers Health Forum of Australia and has contributed to national committees including the TGA’s Medical Device Consumer Working Group and the COVID-19 Living Evidence Guidelines Steering Committee.
Before joining Arthritis Australia, Lousie was the general manager of policy and advocacy at the Royal Australasian College of Physicians.
New CEO for Teachers Health Group
Simone Tregeagle, currently chief customer officer with Teachers Health Group, will move into the CEO’s role from 1 July, the not-for-profit, union-based health fund has announced.
She will replace current CEO Brad Joyce, who is retiring after 20 years in the job.
“Simone’s appointment reflects the Board’s commitment to continuity, stability, and member-focused leadership,” said board chair Maree O’Halloran.
“To date, Simone has been instrumental in shaping our strategy, strengthening our operations, and ensuring we continue delivering value for our members.
“Her extensive knowledge of the organisation, strong commitment to our members, and proven leadership across key strategic initiatives make her the right person to guide us into our next chapter.”
Ms Tregeagle has long history in the insurance industry. She was CEO of Transport Health for eight years before moving to Teachers Health in March 2024. Prior to that she was CEO of rt Health.
Teachers Health Group is made up of Teachers Health, Nurses and Midwives Health, UnitHealth, and Teachers Union Health, making it one the largest NFP insurers in the country.
Related
Advanced Therapies Advisory Group
National and global advocate for life sciences, AusBiotech, and pharmaceutical industry lobby group Medicines Australia have put together an advanced therapies advisory group to “provide input into strategic initiatives that will support Australia’s growing advanced therapies industry”.
Focusing on the findings of the 2025 Australian Cell and Gene Therapies Innovation Investment Report – which they produced with Deloitte, the Group will focus on “topics related to policy development, advocacy and industry enablement specific to the cell and gene sector in Australia”.
Fifteen sector leaders have been appointed to the group:
- Simon Cool, CEO, SMART CRC (Chair);
- Brendon Boot, CEO, Skin2Neuron;
- Helen Dodds, Clinical Trials Startup Lead, Sanofi;
- Shanny Dyer, Director, Rheumagen Australia;
- Dominic Fernandez, Scientific Lead Cell Therapy and Immunotherapy, Epworth Healthcare;
- Cecile Francis, Director of Partnerships, UniQuest;
- Kathy Gibson, Executive Director Strategic Medical Engagement, Eli Lilly;
- Dylan Jones, Country Head of Value and Access, Novartis;
- Umesh Nair, Major Account Manager, Merck Life Science;
- Jasmine Oberwalleney, APAC CAR-T Launch Director, Miltenyi Biotec Australia;
- Gretchen Poortinga, Program Operations Director, Centre of Excellence in Cellular Immunotherapy, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre;
- Oona Reardon, Director, Pulse Economics Consulting;
- Warwick Shaw, Market Access Cell and Gene Therapies, Johnson & Johnson;
- Rebecca Stratford, Head of Market Access, Oncology, AstraZeneca; and
- Stephen Thompson, Chief Executive Director, Viral Vector Manufacturing Facility.
Federal government
Jo Hutchinson is now assistant secretary at the Department of Health, Disability, and Ageing.
Opposition health spokesperson Senator Anne Ruston has taken on a few more responsibilities after her leader Sussan Ley announced that the acting frontbench portfolios left open after the Nationals departure last week would be shared out, for the time being, among Liberal frontbenchers.
Senator Ruston now adds Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to her portfolio.