Executive Moves in the Health-care Sector

The Not for Profit sector has experienced several top level moves in the health-care arena this month.

Peak body for the national Not for Profit network of Rural Workforce Agencies, Rural Health Workforce Australia (RHWA) has appointed Greg Mundy as Chief Executive Officer.

Mundy comes to RHWA after three years as CEO of the Council of Ambulance Authorities – the peak body representing providers of public ambulance services in Australia and New Zealand.

Before that he was CEO of Aged and Community Services Australia.

RHWA Chair Ian Taylor said Mundy was an outstanding leader who would drive RHWA’s work to enhance the health and wellbeing of rural and remote communities through access to a quality primary health care workforce.

“Greg is widely respected for his commitment to health and social care,” Taylor said.

“He will be a strong advocate for our agenda to make primary health care more accessible for rural Australians.”

Mundy said it was an exciting time to be joining RHWA and the RWA network, with the Federal Government committed to supporting health services that make a real difference to local communities.

“Rural Workforce Agencies have been successfully delivering health workforce initiatives in rural, regional and remote communities for the last 25 years,” he said.

“Each year they recruit hundreds of health professionals and provide services to them such as professional development and family support. It’s great to be part of such a positive movement.”

In addition to his current responsibilities, Mundy is a Board Director of the National Rural Health Alliance and a Council Member of the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association.

Ambo Veteran Takes the Lead

Registered nurse Didier Moutia has been appointed the Commissioner of St John Ambulance Australia (NSW) to replace retiring Commissioner Ken Kelman.

Moutia, a registered nurse and product manager at InterSystems, has been a member of St John for 30 years beginning his involvement with the voluntary organisation at the Wentworthville Combined Division in 1984.

He has also served in roles including Divisional Nursing Officer and State Operations Officer with the most recent three years spent as Assistant Commissioner (Strategy and Planning).

The role of Commissioner is responsible for the First Aid Services provision of St John in its delivery of voluntary health services to the wider community. The strategic role focuses on quality and development of capacity and capability of First Aid Services.

The Commissioner is also a member of the St John Board and performs the duties of a Director on the Board.

“I am honoured and humbled to be appointed in this crucial role. Our outgoing Commissioner Ken Kelman has made great progress during his tenure and I am excited by the challenges that lay ahead,” Moutia said.

“I look forward to moving the organisation forward, supported by the amazing volunteers and staff of St John (NSW).”

Moutia will start the job at the end of June.

Advocacy Duo Named NARI Ambassadors

Healthy, ageing and research advocates Dr Patricia Edgar and Dr Don Edgar have been named ambassadors for the National Ageing Research Institute (NARI).

Dr Patricia Edgar, author of In Praise of Ageing, has been at the forefront of media for children nationally and internationally, winning many awards for her achievements and programs. Dr Don Edgar is one of Australia's best-known authorities on social trends as they affect families, communities and the workplace.

NARI is Australia’s only independent Not for Profit national research dedicated to ageing research with an especial focus on improving health for older people, aged-care practice and to guide policy and funding decisions.

“The Edgars’ interest in community and social issues, and enthusiasm for supporting older people and research will be a tremendous complement to the Institute’s work and we are very much looking forward to their involvement and contribution,” NARI Chairman Dr Michael Murray said.

“The Edgars epitomise what many Australians aspire towards in older life, they challenge perceptions through their willingness to talk about why we should be praising ageing rather than dwelling on the burden of an older population.”

The Edgars said the opportunity to become involved with NARI and its focus on ageing well was opportune.

“We want to see that research findings help change the negative attitudes towards ageing that seem to prevail both in policy circles and across the wider Australian culture,” they said

“What NARI is doing through its research – and why we are supporting the Institute – is enabling practical outcomes to help people age well, manage disease better, continue to contribute as carers, workers and volunteers.

“The debate about lifting the age of retirement and pensions is current and wrapped around the notion that Australia is burdened by its older people. This assumption is simplistic and misleading. NARI is playing a vital role in contributing to the national ageing research agenda of today and tomorrow and we are delighted to be a part.”