The resignation has sparked a review of the hospital operator’s digital and technology division. Plus, more from biotechs and pharma.
Michelle Fitzgerald, group chief digital officer of St Vincent’s Health Australia, has resigned after four years in the role to take up the chief information officer job at the University of Melbourne.
Ms Fitzgerald announced her departure from SVHA on LinkedIn six days ago and last night flagged the move to UMelb in another post.
“It’s been a privilege to lead St Vincents’ digital and technology team through a period of significant transformation – from implementing Meditech across our private hospitals and supporting EMR readiness for our public hospitals, to scaling up a new data platform, strengthening our cybersecurity foundations and modernising the tech infrastructure that keeps our people and patients connected,” she wrote.
“What I’m most proud of is the team we built, the partnerships we formed and the culture we created – grounded in using technology and data to solve real problems for real people.
“The St Vincent’s mission is rare and meaningful. It’s been an honour.”
Ms Fitzgerald is an alumnus of the University of Melbourne, making the return particularly special, she wrote.
“Higher education is at a defining moment with students, academics and researchers navigating policy shifts, tightening resources and the rise of AI all at once,” she wrote.
“I can’t think of a more energising time to help reimagine what’s possible for the people at the heart of it.
“It’s particularly special to be returning to the institution that literally put the world at my feet as a young graduate.”
SVHA had nothing but praise for Ms Fitzgerald on her departure, saying the move was going to spark a review of the organisation’s digital and technology division.
“Michelle played an important role during her time at St Vincent’s, working tirelessly to lead our digital and Technology team through a period of significant transformation,” said a St Vincent’s spokesperson.
“We are very grateful for Michelle’s contribution and wish her well in the next stage of her career.
“St Vincent’s recently announced its Bringing Care Home strategy, which includes a commitment to delivering half of our care in people’s homes and through virtual and digital platforms by 2030.
“To put that in perspective, St Vincent’s currently experiences around two million connections with patients and residents each year across hospitals and aged care facilities in Queensland, NSW and Victoria.
“Given the importance of digital in achieving that vision, we’re using the opportunity to review our operating model to make sure that St Vincent’s digital and technology is central to our strategy.”
Also in today’s edition:
- Ignoring the SDPR truth won’t make it go away
- Dementia death gap drives push for ‘Hem’s Law’
- ‘Totally gutted’: Cohealth patients brace for another GP services shock
- Two exits and a suitor
- Aged care funding model ‘failing complex residents’, providers warn
- Who is Victoria’s new health minister?
- We’re building systems to make healthcare better. Who’s looking after the people doing that?
Noxopharm CEO quits
Clinical-stage Australian biotech Noxopharm has announced that Dr Gisela Mautner has resigned as CEO and managing director, roles she has held since early 2022.
Dr Mautner joined Noxopharm in 2019 as chief medical officer.
“The Board of directors would like to thank Dr Gisela Mautner for her hard work and dedication as CEO and MD over the past four years, including overseeing an important change in strategic direction, and we wish her all the best,” said Noxopharm chairman Fred Bart.
The company expects to announce a successor in the very near future.
Previously Dr Mautner was president of Medical Affairs Professionals of Australasia and is currently non-executive director of Nyrada and Australian Ice Racing.
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Other appointments
Telix Pharmaceuticals has appointed David Gill as a NED as part of a board expansion and succession planning. He currently serves on the boards of Evolus, Allucent, Bridge to Life, RapidPulse and huMannity Medtec.
Grant Jeffery has tendered his resignation as a NED of Australian Clinical Labs, effective immediately, after joining in February 2025.
Kathryn MacFarlane will retire from the board of Mayne Pharma at the end of May 2026. Her decision follows her recent appointment as CEO of a US-based biopharma company, which will commence in May 2026. She has served as a director since February 2022.