The new CALHN Board – meet the transition members

29 Nov 2018

A new CEO and a new Governance Board with the collective credentials for the challenges ahead.

Central Adelaide Local Health Network is one of the first of the ten (10) South Australian Local Health Network Boards to be announced by the South Australian Government. And it’s an outstanding Board with diversity and a combination of talent from so many different and relevant fields, clinical input, depth of understanding of public health systems and financial management. The public and private sector mix augurs well for the future!

HG worked to an accelerated timeline of two months to commence the search and support the Government timeline for announcement of sixty (60) new Board transition members following the earlier recruitment by HG of ten (10) Board Chairs, including the highly experienced CALHN Chair Raymond Spencer and Deputy Chair, Michael (Mick) Reid. They will have a vital role in the smooth transition to a new governance model which will be fully operational from 1 July 2019.

Raymond J Spencer, Chair

Raymond Spencer returned to Australia in 2009, following more than 35 years of living and working in the USA, India and Europe. Raymond is currently Chair of a number of boards, including the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI), the Global Centre for Modern Ageing and the South Australian Venture Capital Fund. He is a Founding Partner of RSVP Ventures and holds the position of Chair or Director in several of its portfolio companies. Raymond completed his term as Chair of the South Australian Economic Development Board in June 2018. He brings more than 40 years of leadership experience in international business, management planning, technology, finance, organisational culture, and mergers and acquisitions. Raymond is currently the Chair for the Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN) Performance Recovery Taskforce.

Michael Anthony Reid, Deputy Chair

Mick Reid is currently the Principal of Michael Reid and Associates, a consultancy firm which has been responsible for the delivery of many health and science projects throughout Australasia, for governments in Asia and the Pacific and with UN organisations. In 2016, he undertook the SA Public Health Clinical Services Review and currently sits in an advisory capacity on the CALHN Performance Recovery Group. Mick has been Director General in both New South Wales and Queensland, Director Policy and Practice at the George Institute for International Health, Director General for the Ministry of Science and Medical Research in NSW, and Chief of Staff to an Australian Minister for Health. Mick is considered to be an expert in the delivery of public health services in Australia.

Dr Alex Cockram, transition member

Dr Alexandra (Alex) Cockram is a psychiatrist by training, a clinician and a leader in mental health and acute health care. Alex currently provides strategic advice to government and industry in a number of areas including mental health, and alcohol and other drug service system reform and developments for the West of Melbourne. Alex is Chair of Western Partnerships, supporting the Victorian government to plan and invest in communities west of Melbourne. Alex recently joined the Board of Epworth Healthcare group and holds a number of leadership roles in the health industry. Alex was Chief Executive of Western Health between 2012-2017, when Western developed a progressive agenda of service system expansion, reform and infrastructure development including the development of the Sunshine Health, Wellbeing and Education precinct (which will house the Joan Kirner Women and Children’s Hospital), and the announcement to develop the Footscray hospital. Alex brings significant health management, clinical practice and governance skills and experience to the Board.

Professor Justin Beilby, transition member

Professor Justin Beilby is a practicing General Practitioner, board member and leader in primary care/general practice reform in Australia and has had an extensive senior management career at the University of Adelaide. In 2015 Justin was appointed Vice-chancellor of Torrens University. Prior to this, Justin was Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences for 10 years at the University of Adelaide, overseeing all academic, education and research programs. Justin has demonstrated experience and skills in research, both clinical and policy related, workforce planning, financial and people management, philanthropic funding, leading major capital programs, leading change programs and governance. He has broad international experience, establishing educational and research partnerships in the US, Middle East, China, South East Asia and Japan. Justin brings significant skills to improving the standard and quality of health care and tertiary education and research to the Board.

Professor Judith Dwyer, transition member

Professor Judith Dwyer holds Bachelor of Arts, Masters of Business Administration and Doctor of Philosophy qualifications. Judith has significant knowledge of the governance and management of health care delivery, health services research, health policy, and the health care needs of communities. Judith brings these significant skills, knowledge and experience to the Board. Judith has had a distinguished career in health management, including Chief Executive roles of Southern Health Care Network (Melbourne) and Flinders Medical Centre, and Deputy Chief Executive of the Women’s and Children’s Hospital. Between 2006-2018, Judith was Professor of Health Care Management in the Flinders University College of Medicine and Public Health, where she has a continuing adjunct role. Judith was awarded the Sidney Sax medal by the Australian Healthcare and Hospitals Association (AHHA), honouring her lifelong commitment to delivering high quality health services in Australia, particularly in the area of Indigenous health. 

Kim Morey, transition member

Kim Morey is an Aboriginal person with a long career history within the South Australian Public Sector. Kim has worked in both health and housing portfolios for over twenty years, developing strong working relationships across both the Government and non-Government sectors, with strong connections to the Aboriginal community through her lived experience. Kim brings extensive knowledge of public sector systems, from front-line service delivery, to policy development, strategic advice, and monitoring of the system. She has participated in Aboriginal health research and understands the importance of translating findings into practice and health service delivery. Kim has provided leadership on the Aboriginal health research ethics committee and managed the intersecting role over time in research ensuring that Aboriginal health research is contributing to making a difference at policy and practice level, believing that we can no longer afford to see curiosity research, but must see research addressing the challenges faced in Aboriginal health. Kim holds a Masters of Public Health and is currently the Executive Officer, Senior Research Translation Manager, SA Aboriginal Chronic Disease Consortium, South Australian Academic Health Science and Translation Centre, SAHMRI. 

Naomi James, transition member

Naomi James is the Executive Vice President EHS and Governance for Santos, responsible for Santos’ risk and audit, legal, company secretary, environment and access and safety functions. Naomi has extensive experience in governance, strategy, business restructuring and building organisational capability. Prior to joining Santos, Naomi held a range of functional and line leadership roles with Arrium including as Chief Executive of the Group’s non-integrated steel businesses, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Executive, Strategy. Naomi’s roles with Arrium included leading major acquisitions and divestments, business restructuring and turnaround and the legal, company secretary, government affairs and strategy functions. Naomi holds a Masters of Law and Management and has previously worked in private practice at law firms in Australia and the UK. Naomi brings significant experience in commercial management, business strategy and organisational transformation to the Board.

Along with the new CEO, Lesley Dwyer who commenced in November, they bring highly relevant experience to the tasks ahead in providing rigorous responsibility for the management of a health network with an annual budget of more than $2 billion.