Global reach, local impact

Natalia Hubzcenko

Chief Financial Officer, Northern Adelaide Local Health Network

Diana Sarfati

Chief Executive, Cancer Control Agency

Excerpt taken from State Services Commission: The Deputy State Services Commissioner has today announced the appointment of Professor Diana Sarfati as Chief Executive, Cancer Control Agency. The Chief Executive, Cancer Control Agency, is responsible for leading, prioritising, and coordinating cancer care in New Zealand and is the Government’s principal advisor on cancer. “I am very pleased to appoint Prof Sarfati to this role,” said Deputy State Services Commissioner Helene Quilter. “She is an impressive leader with deep technical expertise and a communication approach that engages and inspires others.” Prof Sarfati is a public health physician, cancer epidemiologist and health services researcher with a world-leading reputation in cancer control strategy and research. A focus of her career to date has been advocating for systemic change to address cancer-related inequities and to improve cancer care and outcomes. Prof Sarfati is currently Acting Chief Executive, Cancer Control Agency, a role she has held since the agency was established on 1 December 2019. In her substantive role as Professor and Head of Department, Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Prof Sarfati is responsible for strategic oversight and governance of the department, leading about 100 staff and PhD students in active research and teaching programmes, and for engagement with a range of cancer and health sector stakeholders. Prof Sarfati has led advances in cancer research, including a large body of work relating to ethnic disparities in cancer outcomes and is known internationally for her expertise in identifying and addressing inequalities in cancer care. “As Acting Chief Executive, Prof Sarfati has made significant progress in establishing the agency and towards delivering the New Zealand Cancer Action Plan 2019-2029,” said Ms Quilter. “I have no doubt she will drive the system change needed to achieve these ambitious goals that have a strong focus on achieving equity of outcomes for all, in particular Māori and Pacific people who currently experience poor cancer outcomes.” Prof Sarfati holds Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Public Health and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees from the University of Otago. She is a Fellow of the New Zealand College of Public Health Medicine and is registered with the New Zealand Medical Council. Prof Sarfati has been appointed for a three-year term from 1 June 2020.

Dr Jillann Farmer

Deputy Director General Clinical Excellence, Queensland Health

Article written by Queensland Health on the announcement of Jillann Farmer. What do regional Queensland, the United Nations, Queensland Health and a passion for patient safety have in common? One name – Dr Jillann Farmer, the newly appointed head of Clinical Excellence Queensland. “With a workforce boasting some of the world’s best and brightest in leadership positions, Queensland Health looks far and wide when it comes to senior appointments,” said Director-General Dr John Wakefield. “We search the world to fill these positions, and it’s a rare win when we feel the best person has amazing global experience but they’re a homegrown, local product as well; this is the essence of Dr Farmer.” Before she took up her role as UN Medical Director in 2012, Dr Farmer worked as a clinical doctor, a medical executive and patient safety improvement leader. With experience of working in regional and metropolitan hospitals, at the Department of Health and for the Commonwealth, Dr Farmer has a deep understanding of the health system, and of Queenslanders. Dr Farmer was originally planning to start back in Queensland in May, however, following a personal request by the United Nations (UN) Secretary-General, António Guterres, Dr Farmer has agreed to continuing her role at the UN to assist the ongoing novel coronavirus (COVID-19) response. She will begin her role in June. “Dr Farmer has been a wonderful contributor to the work of the United Nations,” UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, said. “I’d like to thank Dr Farmer for her work and I’d like to thank Queensland Health for allowing to stay here a little longer. “I wish her well for her return to Queensland.” Clinical Excellence Queensland is a vital part of the Department of Health and works with clinicians and consumers to ensure that Queensland is at the leading edge of implementing care systems that provide the best possible patient safety and reliability. “It’s fair to say few careers have taken the upward trajectory that Dr Farmers’ has. She comes back to Queensland Health via New York, where she’s performed of the most senior medical leadership role within the United Nations. “Dr Farmer has functioned as the Surgeon-General equivalent for UN Troops deployed in peacekeeping missions, whilst also being the Director of civilian healthcare in United Nations facilities worldwide. She has been in charge of the UN’s internal response to major disease outbreaks such as Ebola, Zika and now COVID-19; experience that will serve Queenslanders well.” “With that breadth of worldwide learning, Dr Farmer is also no stranger to Queensland having previously been the Medical Director of the Queensland Health Patient Safety Centre. She has been instrumental as a leader of significant improvements across Queensland including “Ryan’s Rule”, which has gained international attention.” “Dr Farmer is not only an accomplished medical and health leader, but she’s also an engaging and inspiring communicator. I foresee her taking a key role in continuing to shape how we engage and harness the consumer and clinician voice in how we design and deliver services”. Dr Farmer said she was humbled to return home having sharpened her medical experience on the worldwide stage. “This is a key role, focussing on patient care and safety, improving efficiency in our hospitals and helping transform digital service delivery,” Dr Farmer said. “It’s a big role that helps shape some of the core values we strive for in Queensland Health and I’m really looking forward to it. “I grew up in Rockhampton and I’ve worked in Maryborough and Manhattan, in Laidley and Liberia. Wherever I go and wherever I work, I’m committed to helping clinicians help patients. “I’m really looking forward to bringing that experience and that commitment back home to Queensland.”

Emma Poland

Chief Operating Officer, Albury Wodonga Health Service

Emma is a leader, a storyteller and a communicator with care and leadership in her DNA. Emma's passion is to inspire and connect people with work and with purpose. By establishing safe environments, setting clear expectations and providing collaborative leadership Emma believes we can all achieve greatness, both individually and collectively. With a proven track record in effective leadership, Emma combines a commercial focus and big picture strategic thinking with strong collaboration and interpersonal skills. Extensive executive experience leading the financial and operational management of complex organisations, including: • Provision of high-level strategic, operational and financial advice. • Identification, implementation, and evaluation of the feasibility and financial risk of new business opportunities driving the optimisation of business performance. • Establishment of new, and enhancement of existing relationships with stakeholders. • Leadership of teams, driving change and achieving organisational goals.

Samantha Titchener

General Manager - Surgical/Ambulatory Services, Waitematā District Health Board

Danielle Causer

Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services, Central West Hospital and Service