JUSTHEALTH CONSULTANTS - Key Persons

Allan Hughes entered the Australian health system as a science graduate, sponsored by Victorian Hospitals and Charities Commission to undertake the Master of Health Administration at the University of New South Wales from 1969.70. In his early months of the MHA, Allan demonstrated a remarkable capacity to accommodate the demanding academic program with an exhaustive survey of Sydney attractions of that period. It was an exhibition of true intellect and stamina. Allan has been fortunate through his adult life to have a wonderful supporter in his wife, Judy. Their genuine affection and the strong bond between them has been a remarkable aspect of a busy, committed life. In the middle of his Master of Health Administration degree Allan married Judy, who joined him in Sydney. In 1971 following Allan's graduation they both returned to Melbourne, where Allan commenced his professional career at Prince Henry's Hospital. In 1974 he was promoted to Deputy Chief Executive Officer at the Austin Hospital, and in 1979 he became CEO at the Queen Victoria Medical Centre. Allan has always demonstrated a remarkable ability to conceptualise how organisations and events can be recorded to produce something better. His work at VHA and the relocation of Queen Victoria to Clayton demonstrated his capacity quite vividly. In 1982 following the election of the Cain Labour Government Allan assumed the Project Director responsibilities for the finance and construction of a new 436 bed teaching hospital at Clayton, now know as the Monash Medical Centre. Allan's contribution in this role was instrumental in not only ensuring the effective and efficient transfer of the Queen Victoria Medical Centre but also that this new teaching hospital established in the South Eastern suburbs was planned to deliver a high quality of health service across a broader range of services than previously provided. With the introduction of regionalisation in Victoria, Allan was appointed as one of the first eight Regional Directors in the State Health Department, holding the position of Regional Director, South Eastern Metropolitan Region, from 1984 to the end of 1985. He then was appointed to the position of Executive Director of the Victorian Hospital's Association, a position which he still holds today. I am sure that you would all be aware that Allan's contribution to the healthcare service of this country extends way beyond these positions which he has held with distinction. He has made particular contributions to the Australian College of Health Service Administrators, being a member of its Federal Council and currently serving as the Federal Senior Vice President. You would be aware of his active membership of the Australian Hospital Association, having been a member of its National Council since 1979 and its National Treasurer on three occasions, including currently. Along with others, his drive and enthusiasm lead to the establishment of the National Headquarters in Canberra, something which this Association would particularly recognise and, as National Treasurer, Allan played a key role in planning the financing and construction of the headquarters. His importance to AHA and his reputation within this country resulted in the National Council nominating him to represent the Association on the Council of Management of the International Hospital Federation, an appointment which we know he will carry out with distinction. Allan's generous service to our industry also extends to his active participation in teaching programmes which has resulted in his being on various Course Advisory Committees and Faculty Boards as well as holding appointments in lecturing capacities of one form or another. He has also been asked to undertake a range of consulting assignments not only in this country but also to the Hospitals' Boards Association in New Zealand and the Hong Kong Health Authority. Allan has great insight into issues and people; this combined with enormous health system, commercial and social knowledge. These attributes have enabled Allan to be a very effective contributor to major policy development at a State and National level. He is a persuasive person who can be also challenging when necessary. These traits are accompanied by unfailing good humour. His personal qualities engender professional respect and confidence. Allan's achievements have always been characterised by his quiet, modest and unassuming manner. Indeed, I suspect that his presence on the stage this afternoon would be causing him severe embarrassment and, because of his inclination to understate the contributions which he has made in so many ways over such a long period, I know he would believe that there would be many others who would deserve this Award before him. His knowledge of our industry together with his personal qualities simply typified as trust, loyalty and integrity combine to make Allan Hughes one of the most respected leaders of healthcare management in this country. The contribution which he continues to make in terms of healthcare management as well as to the teaching and education of healthcare professionals and, in turn, to their professional bodies and associations make him a most worthy recipient of this year's medal.

Job Titles:

• Editor - in - Chief of the AHHA 's Australian Health Review
• New Director of the Sydney Node of the Menzies Centre for Health Policy
• Professor

Andrew is also the Editor-in-Chief of the AHHA's Australian Health Review and has consolidated its position as a leading peer-reviewed health journal, both nationally and internationally. He was integral to the establishment of the AHHA's Deeble Institute for Health Policy Research signing the Queensland University of Technology up as a founding partner, and actively participating in its development as a Board member.

Job Titles:

• Member - Associate Professor

Diana Horvath has lived a life of commitment and achievement that daunts us mere mortals. She has achieved so much, but is still only in mid-career.

Dr David Watson has shown total commitment to the Australian healthcare system, both at Federal and State levels and in numerous capacities right from the beginning of his medical career. Since graduating in medicine in 1968 it has been clear that David has always been willing to assist in improving the Australian healthcare system and delivery of hight quality clinical care. In the early 1970s, while employed at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, he promoted nursing and allied health professional education. His interest in improving the education and training of healthcare professionals has continued throughout his career. David has continued this drive to improve healthcare delivery through his own clinical work while at the same time being involved in organisations such as the Australian Healthcare Association, at both State and National levels; St John of God Hospital, Subiaco and Geraldton; Australian Medical Association, at State and National levels; Hospital Benefit Fund of WA; Medical Defence Association of WA; Quadriplegic Centre Board; Westcare Board; and recently through his appointment to the St John of God Australian Catholic Health Board. Importantly, David once appointed or elected to a position actively participates and maintains his enthusiasm for a considerable number of years. Unlike many who serve on committees he gives long-term commitment and is not there for short-term gains. Also, he fulfils a senior role within the organisation either as chairman or vice-chairman. This is clearly an indication of the standing he is held by his peers. For example David has contributed 13 years to HBF of WA, four of which as deputy chairman; 13 years on the Medical Defence Association, currently President; 12 years to the Quadriplegic Centre Board, currently deputy chairman; 13 years on the AMA WA State Council during which time he served as president and nine of these years he was a member of the AMA Federal Council; 7 years to AHA, including holding the position of national vice-president; and 18 years to Healthcare Association of WA, including holding the position of vice president. In addition to his involvement in organisations David has sat on numerous Federal and State Ministerial Committees. His name is usually the first mentioned when looking for someone with a balanced, intelligent and informed view on healthcare matters. While operating his own very successful private practice he continues his interest in teaching and for the past five years has been a member of the medical teaching unit at St John of God Hospital, Subiaco. Medical administration has no escaped his interest and for four years he occupied the position of Director of Medical Services at St John of God, Subiaco. David has always given freely of his time and is held in high regard for his commitment, compassion, patience and understanding. To say the nuns at St John of God Hospital adore him is an understatement. When looking at his CV one wonders how he finds the time, energy and enthusiasm to undertake his numerous roles. An extremely important aspect that should not be overlooked is that while undertaking these duties David also has a very balanced family life with his wife and two daughters.

Job Titles:

• Contributor to the Development of Australian Health Services
• Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians

Dr Don Child has provided leadership in the field of Australian Health Services over many years. It is believed that this contribution should be recognised. Dr Child has held most of the executive positions in the Australian Hospital Association. Until September 1984 he has been the Association's immediate past President, having served as President for two years during 1981 and 1982. The Presidency of the Australian Hospital Association requires of the incumbent a considerable amount of work outside the individual's own professional responsibilities. The Association itself represents most of Australia's public hospitals. The President has a major role in advising Governments on health matters. During the period of Dr Child's Presidency, the Association launched its Community Outreach Programme for Australian hospitals. This is an educational and motivational programme designed to encourage hospitals to work outside their walls in the community. It is a programme which, it is hoped, will bring about a permanent change in the way hospitals perceive their role in the community. Dr Child nurtured this programme to fruition such that it is now a permanent Association programme. Dr Child has been at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital since 1956 where, until 1961, he was Resident Medical Staff. From 1961 to 1967 he was Assistant General Superintendent, and from 1967 to the present time, General Superintendent. During his time as Chief Executive of the hospital it has been recognised as one of Australia's great hospitals. In the years of Dr Child's administration the hospital has developed many new services and facilities including a number of Community Outreach Clinics which take the role of Royal Prince Alfred Hospital into the community. Dr Child is presently the President of the University Teaching Hospitals' Association of New South Wales. This organisation represents teaching hospitals and has a particular interest in the educational and research functions of the teaching hospital system. From 1967 until recently Dr Child served in the Royal Army Medical Corp. In his capacity with the Army he was required to assist with the planning of medical services for armed forces personnel. At the time of resignation from the reserve forces Dr Child held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. During 1979 and 1980 Dr Child also served as Chairman of the NSW Branch of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators. This College is the educational and professional body for medical administrators in Australia. Another of Dr Child's roles is with the University of Sydney where he is on the Medical Faculty, but in particular, is involved with the development of a Cancer Research Institute. It is expected that this Institute will be the leading research facility in this field when underway. The development of Australia's Hospital Accreditation Programme has been assisted by Dr Child's involvement with the initial planning. From 1971 during its formative years, and in 1974 to 1978 he served on the Australian Council on Hospital Standards and eventually became its VicePresident in 1979 to 1980. Dr Child is also a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians. In summary, Dr Don Child has been a major contributor to the development of Australian Health Services through his involvement with many health care organisations.

Job Titles:

• Director
• Executive

Kim is Executive Lead of Strategy at cohealth, one of Australia's largest community health organisations. Kim has more than 20 years experience as an executive and consultant in national health policy and strategy. Previous executive roles include Consultant Advisor at the Federal Department of Health, Strategy Lead at the Australian Digital Health Agency and Chief Executive roles at Rural Health Workforce Australia, the National Rural Health Alliance and the Murray Darling Medical School. Kim has been a Director on a number of Boards including the Royal Flying Doctors Service (Victoria), the National Rural Women's Coalition and was a member of the Federal Government's Long-Term Health Reform Program Board. Kim has also worked internationally, appointed as a Technical Advisor to the World Health Organization in Geneva on their rural workforce review and was the inaugural Chair of the Policy work stream of the Global Digital Health Partnership.

Job Titles:

• Associate

Michael Brydon OAM was appointed Associate Dean of Rural Clinical Schools at The University of Notre Dame Lithgow campus. He is one of Australia's most eminent child health experts and will be based at Lithgow while also having commitments in Sydney, Ballarat and Wagga Wagga Clinical Schools. Prior to his academic appointment, he was Chief Executive of the Sydney Children's Hospitals Network. He spent 20 plus years in health administrator practice in the NSW Public Sector and 32 years in Clinical practice in Child Health Services. He was awarded an OAM for services to child health. Michael's extensive qualifications include MBBS, FRACP, Masters of Health Administration and Masters of Paediatrics and he has undertaken executive leadership courses at Harvard, Boston and Kings Fund, London.

Job Titles:

• Member of the Board of Directors of the Australian Institute of Management

Dr Rex Joyner was born and educated in Queensland where he graduated in medicine from the University of Queensland in 1963. After completing internships and residencies in obstetrics and gynaecology and paediatrics he set up as a general practitioner in suburban Townsville where he gained valuable experience in the practice of medicine at the direct community face, gaining a deep insight into the health problems and expectations of the widest cross section of the Australian community. During this period, from 1966 73, he worked also in the Hospital Child Guidance Clinic, introducing classes and treatment programs for children and parents of the nuclear families affected by Townsville's isolation and its peculiar population structure. From 1974 76 Dr Joyner assumed the post of Medical Officer in Charge of the Community Health Service, an administrative role which involved the supervision of multidisciplinary teams associated with the health and welfare of the North Queensland community. This was to serve him well in his future career as a medical and health services manager. His career aspirations brought Dr Joyner to Western Australia in 1976 to the position of Assistant Medical Superintendent at Royal Perth Hospital. In 1978 he was awarded a prestigious National Health & Medical Research Travelling Fellowship which took him to London to St Thomas' Hospital and to various centres throughout the UK where he studied particularly the application of computer systems in clinical and patient management and general hospital administration. Dr Joyner returned to Royal Perth Hospital and in 1980 was seconded to the Department of Health & Medical Services to assist in policy and planning. He travelled extensively in Australia and to New Zealand on behalf of the Director and the then Minister of Health, contributing to many projects and initiatives. Late in 1980 he was appointed Medical Superintendent of Royal Perth Hospital, the executive position responsible directly to the Board for the administration and management of all clinical services of the State's largest teaching hospital. In this capacity he either chaired, or was a member of, all the major committees of the Hospital and served on numerous State committees. He visited organisations overseas to study developments, often at the invitation of major international bodies involved in health care. In 1987 he was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Royal Perth Hospital, following wide advertising of the post, which resulted from the restructuring of the two positions of Hospital Administrator and Medical Superintendent to a single executive position responsible to the Board of Management. Dr Joyner's new post, with wide responsibilities, provided the opportunity for innovative measures in hospital management and clinical services and in the further development of RPH in teaching and research. Under his direction RPH has extended its outreach services and has enjoyed some success in the AHA's Outreach Award program. As CEO of Western Australia's leading teaching hospital, Dr Joyner has exerted a major influence on the education and training of clinicians and the various health professional groups in the State's universities. This influence is always positive and has been the major factor in facilitating clinical access for their students at a time of rapid growth and development which has severely strained the ability of the Royal Perth and Royal Perth Rehabilitation hospitals to accommodate these needs. Curtin University in 1994 awarded Dr Joyner the honorary degree of Doctor of Technology which is conferred for "distinguished performance in the application of knowledge within the chosen profession of the person concerned and contribution to the community and service of support to the community". Dr Joyner, by this award, joined a very select group which, in the health and medical field, includes the late Sir George Bedbrook who played a key role in the development of rehabilitation education and research at Curtin. In recognition of Dr Joyner's management expertise and wide knowledge and experience of health services generally, the Minister of Health in 1988 appointed him as a protemp Commissioner of Health. In this role for a limited time he was involved in considerations of reforms in the State's health care system. These organisational reforms are now coming to fruition largely due to the personal efforts of Dr Joyner. In July 1992 he was appointed General Manager of the East Metropolitan Health Region to pilot one of three different organisational structures established in the greater Perth metropolitan area. It is a tribute to his management expertise and leadership that the system he established, in a remarkably short time, was selected, well prior to the completion of the comparative evaluation of the three structures, as the future organisation for all regions. The Minister, in reviewing the regional structure, decided not to proceed with the metropolitan area reorganisation but has moved to ensure that achievements in terms of a better articulated system developed by Dr Joyner will be retained. The Minister publicly and formally acknowledged Dr Joyner's excellent contribution towards the development of costeffective structures and mechanisms for WA's health system. Dr Joyner's contribution to the hospital and health services systems in Western Australia on the widest possible front from acute care services to communitybased health care is unmatched. Examples of Dr Joyner's influence and achievements affecting the health of all Western Australians are numerous and span many activities. He was a prime mover in developing a unique service encompassing all metropolitan hospitals in a uniform computer system. He has been a strong proponent of relevant university studies in management for clinicians moving into administration positions. He has encouraged research and has played a major role in establishing the Royal Perth Hospital Medical Research Foundation which includes WA's first purpose built medical and health research facility. The first stage of what is developing into an excellent research facility was built without government funding and stands as a tribute to Dr Joyner's dedication to research. His contribution to health sciences is also acknowledged by his appointment in 1993 to the Health Advisory Committee and also as Chairman of the Health and Medical Services Standing Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council. It is testimony to his management and leadership that Royal Perth Hospital in the national accreditation system has been widely acclaimed by external reviewers as one of, if not the, best managed hospitals in Australia and an exemplar of the highest quality in the provision of patient services. Dr Joyner is one of the best known and highly respected medical and health administrators in Australia and his endeavours and achievements provide an excellent example of application of knowledge to professional practice and community service. He has served his professional associations in the highest executive positions as national councillor and senior vicepresident of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators and is a Fellow of a number of the medical colleges. Dr Joyner is a Surveyor for the hospital accreditation program of the Australian Council in Health Care Standards. His foresight in hospital management led to Royal Perth Hospital's involvement in the National Program of Management Development for Clinicians being conducted by the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators and the King's Fund College of London. The funding for this project is provided by the Commonwealth Department of Health. Royal Perth Hospital is one of two trial sites selected in Australia.

Job Titles:

• Australia 's First Health Planner

Dr Sidney Sax was born on a farm near Devon, in what was then the Transvaal Province of South Africa. Dr Sax was educated in South Africa at the University of Witwatersrand, obtaining degrees in Chemistry and Medicine. He later obtained doctorates in both public health and medicine, and fellowships of the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, and the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators. He worked as a Medical Superintendent and tutor in social medicine and dispensary practice in Johannesburg between 1948 and 1951, before moving on to become a specialist physician in Rhodesian government hospitals and the Royal Rhodesian Air Force. Dr Sax came to Australia in 1960, serving as a physician and deputy medical superintendent at Garrawarra and Lidcombe hospitals before becoming Director of Geriatrics for New South Wales in 1964. He worked primarily as a geriatrician at that time and was a great advocate of aged care assessment teams, long before they became generally accepted. He was also strongly in favour of community care, to help older people retain their independence in their own homes. In December 1972 Bill Hayden, the then Minister for Social Security, approached Dr Sax to set up the Hospitals and Health Services Commission, an influential post he remained at until it was disbanded in 1978. Under Dr Sax's leadership the Commission pioneered Commonwealth involvement in health services delivery. The Commission developed policies concerning the supply and distribution of health services and established a national health service planning model. The model envisaged a network of services comprised of primary care, private specialist care, hospitals, nursing homes, hostels and rehabilitation and domiciliary care. Of central importance was primary health care. Dr Sidney Sax was in effect Australia's first health planner, now a recognised health professional discipline. Dr Sax played a key role during this period in the development of Medibank, our first universal national health insurance scheme. In a sense, his role complemented that of Scotton and Deeble. He convinced Prime Minister Whitlam to work cooperatively with the states using Section 96 of the Constitution to provide Commonwealth funds for public hospitals conditional on the states guaranteeing free and universal access. Together with the medical benefits scheme and the pharmaceutical benefits scheme, this ensured comprehensive universal insurance, not that much different to what we now know as Medicare. Dr Sax continued his influence in matters relating to health as a special adviser to Prime Minister Fraser as well as Chair of the Commission. As mentioned when the Commission was abolished in 1978 he became the Chair of the Social Welfare Policy Secretariat. In 1982 he was awarded a CBE, or Commander of the British Empire, for his services to health in this country and in 1983 he became a Visiting Fellow at the ANU. Under the Hawke Government Dr Sax became the founding Chairman of the National Health and Medical Research Council's Health Research and Development Committee in 1987. He was also a visiting fellow for the newly established Australian Institute of Health now the AIHW until 1994. In 1995 he took on the role of Vice President of Unicef Australia A prolific writer on health and social issues Dr Sax had an impressive list of publications, including the following books: Medical Care in the Melting Pot in 1972 Medicine in the 80s: Can we Afford it? A Strife of Interests (in 1984) Health Care Choices and the Public Purse (in 1990) and Ageing and Public Policy in Australia (in 1993) Plus, he published over 60 journal articles in the fields of epidemiology, chronic disease, geriatrics and health services administration. Any assessment of Australia's health system must recognise the extraordinary contribution of Dr Sidney Sax over four decades. It is over this period that we have developed a truly national approach, not only in terms of universal health insurance but more particularly in terms of a national system of health services directed towards improving health outcomes. So many of the milestones have the name Sidney Sax etched in somewhere. The Sidney Sax Medal is awarded to an individual who has made an outstanding contribution in the field of health services policy, organisation, delivery and research (excluding clinical research). The Sax Medal awards outstanding achievement in and contribution to the development and improvement of the Australian healthcare system. To be eligible for the award the individual nominee must still be active in the health services field

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children

Dr. John Yu has made an incredibly valuable contribution to Australian medicine, and the quality of life of thousands of Australian children during his journey through life. He was smuggled out of Nanking in China as a three year old shortly before it fell to the Japanese forces in World War II. He travelled to Australia with his mother and sister to join relatives who had been living here since the Victorian gold rushes in the 1860's. As an Australian born overseas, Dr. Yu is an Australian who has spent almost all of his adult life making a major contribution to his country. Paediatrics and South East Asian decorative arts have been the key threads which John Yu has woven through the fabric of his life. He is an acknowledged expert on the decorative arts of South East Asia and has written and lectured extensively on the subject. With his keen interest in art and in making it more accessible to Australians, he saw the opportunity to use art and the best in medical care at the New Children's Hospital to create a nurturing and gentle environment for young patients and their families. This facility, where art, colour and open space are far more common than the traditional white coats, is a culmination of Dr. Yu's patience, drive and personal effort, which has set new world standards in paediatric care. As well as his Asian heritage and his interest in Asian art, John Yu also sees a strong future role for Australian medicine in assisting Asian Pacific nations to develop health education programs. He has, and still is very active in the pursuit on such initiatives. His concern for children also extends beyond medicine. He believes strongly that the needs of Australian children must be considered when Governments develop policy and draft legislation. He says that all too often the impact on children of major decisions which affect their capacity to learn, achieve and experience life, is an afterthought instead of a priority. John Yu has been the Chief Executive of the Royal Alexandra Hospital for Children, now the New Children's Hospital, since 1978 and before that was head of the hospital's Department of Medicine and he continues to practice paediatrics. He has served on the Council of the Royal Australian College of Physicians, the Paediatric Research Society and was formerly Treasurer of the Australian College of Paediatrics. From 1990 1995 he was President of the Australian Association of Paediatric Teaching Centres. He is the National Patron of the Australian Association for the Welfare of Child Health and is a member of the Board of the Health Services Association of New South Wales and the Starlight Foundation. John has for many years fulfilled roles of consultant, lecturer and examiner throughout Australia and South east Asia in areas of medical education, research and teaching. He has held senior positions in a number of professional bodies including the Postgraduate Medical Foundation and the Royal Australian College of Physicians. He is on the Board of Trustees of the Powerhouse Museum, as well as being an honorary associate of the Museum and has published extensively on paediatrics, management issues and the decorative arts. In recognition of an outstanding life of service and commitment in which he has profoundly enriched Australia and Australians, he was honoured in 1996 by being named Australian of the Year. John Yu is quoted as saying "I am proud of my Chinese heritage, but even prouder to be an Australian". It is both an honour and a privilege to present the 1996 Sid Sax Medal to Dr. John Yu.

Job Titles:

• AHHA Staff Member
• Communications Manager
• Health Economist

Job Titles:

• AHHA Staff Member
• Policy Manager

Job Titles:

• AHHA Staff Member
• Finance
• Operations Manager

Job Titles:

• Retired

Jillian Skinner retired in 2017 after six years as NSW Health Minister. She was the first Minister for Medical Research in NSW and, having spent 14 years as Shadow Health Minister, was one of the most experienced health politicians in the country.

Job Titles:

• Chief Executive Officer

Kylie has worked in the health sector for over 20 years, starting her career as a pharmacist, before moving her focus into health workforce development, health policy and reform. She is passionate about reorienting the health system to achieve the outcomes that matter for people and their communities. Kylie has extensive experience in the for-purpose sector, bringing the diverse views of stakeholders together with the evidence base to influence and effect change. She has worked with a range of health professions, service providers and governments; from a range of perspectives; and from a local region, national and international focus. She has postgraduate qualifications in health economics, artificial intelligence, training and management. She is a Visiting Fellow at the Faculty of Health, Research - Public Health, Queensland University of Technology, and a member of the International Hospital Federation Governing Council. Contact(link sends e-mail)

Job Titles:

• Member of the Council

Job Titles:

• Registered Nurse
• CEO of Dental Health Services Victoria

Susan McKee is the CEO of Dental Health Services Victoria. In that role she is the key driver in the implementation of their highly ambitious and world leading Value Based Health Care Program of work to enable DHSV to improve the oral health outcomes for the people of Victoria. Susan's roles include both clinical and organisational leadership as a Nursing Director, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Executive. Susan has expertise as a strategic, values-driven executive with experience leading organisations through complex change and challenging external environments. Susan is a registered nurse with over 35 years' experience in the health sector and has worked across the healthcare sector with a range of organisations including public, not-for-profit, privately owned and the charitable sector. She has previously held senior executive positions in Queensland hospitals and health services. Her academic qualifications include a degree as an RN, BSC (HMS), MBA, GAICD.

Job Titles:

• Chairman of the Audit & Risk Committee
• CEO of SkillsIQ

Yasmin King is CEO of SkillsIQ, a Skills Service Organisation which develops national vocational standards on behalf of 19 ‘people-facing' Industry Reference Committees (IRCs) which together represent the skills needs of around 50% of the Australian workforce, predominantly within the Health and Community Services sectors. She has undertaken international consulting work for the governments of Peru, Vietnam and Thailand and for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Human Resources Committee, and has recently worked on APEC's Occupational Standards for Travel, Tourism and Hospitality in the Pacific Alliance (Chile, Columbia, Peru and Mexico). Yasmin is involved with various advisory committees, including the National Disability Services (NDS) VET Practitioner Currency pilot project in the Disability sector; the North Queensland Health Workforce Alliance (NQHWA); the National Disability Services (NDS) National Committee on Workforce; and My First Job 2.0, an SYC initiative. Yasmin is currently the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee and a Board member of Micro-X, an innovative publicly listed company pioneering revolutionary medical imaging products. She is also a Board member and the Chair of the Audit & Risk Committee of the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association (AHHA) and is a member of Macquarie University's Global MBA Advisory Council and Centre for Workforce Futures Industry Advisory Committee. Yasmin holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and an Honours degree in Economics. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (FAICD) and a Fellow of CPA Australia (Certified Practising Accountant).

Job Titles:

• AHHA Staff Member
• Policy Analyst

Job Titles:

• Member of Both the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators

Owen Curteis graduated in Medicine from the University of Sydney in 1960 and received his Graduate Diploma in Health Administration from the University of New South Wales in 1973. He undertook his residency and registrar training at the Mater Misericordiae Hospital in North Sydney and the Repatriation General Hospital at Concord. In all he spent some 25 years at Concord, 15 of those as Chief Executive Officer. He was then appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Western Sydney Area Health Service. In 1996 Owen took the extraordinary step of reentering clinical medicine. The magnitude of this change and challenge can only be fully appreciated by his medical colleagues; suffice to say that few would have entertained the idea, but it is a measure of the intellectual capacity and commitment of this man that he is now the senior medical officer for the Brisbane Waters Private Hospital. Owen is an active member of both the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators and the Australian College of Health Service Executives. He was Chairman of the New South Wales Branch of RACMA in 1982 83 and has been a member of the Federal Council of that College since 1988. He has been a surveyor for the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards since 1976 and I doubt any surveyor in the Council's history has surveyed more hospitals. He is also a member of the Board of ACHS, representing the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators. Owen has encompassed an enormous range of extracurricular activities including an executive member and Treasurer of the Postgraduate Medical Council, member of the Minister's Health Advisory Council, member of the Board of the Ambulance Service of NSW and a director of various health credit unions. He has been a stalwart supporter of the Health Services Association of New South Wales and the AHA, being President of the New South Wales Branch of AHA from 1988 1990 and President of the Health Services Association of New South Wales in 1996 and 1997. Owen Curteis enjoys enormous respect and regard throughout the entire health system across Australia. Of particular significance is the fact that this regard and respect encompasses virtually every professional discipline within the health system; medical, nursing, administration, allied health and the other professional health disciplines throughout our industry. He has a recognition amongst all his peers as a very "honest broker", a person who can be relied upon to comment openly and frankly on issues affecting the health system, without fear or favour. Apart from his outstanding intellect and understanding of the health system, his unreserved sincerity and integrity encompasses everything he does and everyone with whom he comes into contact. People at all levels relate and respond to him accordingly. His compassion and understanding of human emotions and frailties make him a close confidante and colleague of an incredibly wide range of his peers, friends and associates in the health system. Despite all this, he is not an individual who seeks out positional status, image of personal or formal recognition; indeed he is a person who works very much behind the scenes to encourage others to assume senior and public roles, advise and influence their thinking and provide them with the confidence and the expertise to undertake these roles. His expertise, knowledge, understanding and experience has been sought after and used extensively by Health Departments at both State and Commonwealth level, various medical colleges, hospital industry associations, accreditation bodies, academic and postgraduate medical councils and many others. His commitment to developing continuous improvement and quality throughout the health system and indeed sharing this experience and expertise is reflected in his commitment to the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards accreditation process.

Job Titles:

• Researcher

Rebecca Haddock is an internationally recognised academic researcher with over 15 years experience across the university, government and non-government health and science sectors as a scientist, scientific evaluator, project manager, strategic policy advisor and health policy intermediary. Rebecca is known for her leadership and strategic engagement skills which underpin her ability to translate health research and deliver independent advice on health systems issues to government and industry stakeholders. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University; and a Visiting Fellow in the Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology. Rebecca holds a PhD in Neuroscience from the Australian National University. Contact(link sends e-mail)

Job Titles:

• Member of the Council of the International Hospital Federation
• President of the AHA

Ron Tindale entered the health system in 1971 in the position of financial controller at Canterbury Hospital Sydney. Ron was a qualified accountant and had held positions in a number of commercial enterprises, including Alcoa with whom for a time he was stationed at Nhulumby, Gove, in the Northern Territory. In 1973 he was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer of the Lewisham Hospital and became Chief Executive Officer of Canterbury Hospital in 1975. In 1980 he became CEO of the 400-bed Wollongong Hospital, situated some 80km south of Sydney in an expanding industrial centre. From early times in his career Ron Tindale displayed special commitment to his primary responsibilities and this is reflected in his rapid career progress. He also entered into the professional activities that accompany those destined to make a wider contribution to health management. He undertook further studies and attained a Bachelor of Health Administration from the University of NSW. In his own health management career Ron moved to the position of Chief Executive Officer of Hornsby and Ku-ring-gay Hospital and Health Services in 1983. This was the flagship organisation in NSW in terms of its piloting of conjoint community health and hospital management and its conduct of the NSW branch of the ACHSE's highly regarded Management Training Program. Ron Tindale added to the reputation of Hornsby in both these regards. He made great efforts to see expansion of activities and quality services at his place of work. In 1986Ron was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the newly established Area Health Service based at Hornsby in Sydney. He continued in this role until the amalgamation of this area in 1988 with four other areas formed the larger Northern Sydney Area Health Service. He was appointed Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Director of Operations of this complex organisation that employed some 8,000 staff. In this role Ron again displayed his enormous capacity for hard work, wise decision-making and people skills. His contribution enhanced the progress of the new area. In 1991 he transferred to Western Sydney Area Health Service in the same role. Closer to his home and in the company of Dr Owen Curteis as Chief Executive Officer, Ron was able to concentrate his efforts in the development of Western Sydney in addition to his professional commitments. In 1978 Ron joined the NSW Branch of what is now the Australian College of Health Service Executives, and by this time was active in the Australian Hospital Association and the newly formed Australian Council on Healthcare Standards. He soon made a mark in all these bodies with recognition quickly given to his skills, commitment and talents. Senior executive positions were soon offered to him to enable his contribution to be facilitated. He also became a Fellow of the College. Ron, as President for two years of the NSW Branch of the College was highly visible, articulate and forthright in his view. He brought credit to the College and advanced many opportunities for the positive development of health management. He became a visiting committee member of the School of Health Services Management of the University of NSW. As a Federal Councillor Ron gave 9 years service to the College and had been the Honorary Treasurer of the College in that time. His service in this capacity has been excellent. In recent time he has represented the College internationally, being an invited speaker at the 1997 Hong Kong Hospital Authority Convention. His two papers on ‘Leadership' and ‘Transforming the Practice of Management' were outstanding. Their rigour, insight and intellectual depth are characteristic of Ron. His is a true professional. His contribution to the Australian Healthcare Association has been even more commendable. He became one of the architects of the amalgamation of health associations in NSW which resulted in the formation of the Health Services Association of NSW in 1992. This new body was able to progress largely because of the skilled contribution of Ron Tindale from his executive position in the former AHA (NSW Branch). In 1995 Ron Tindale became Federal President of the AHA and led the organisation through a period of transformation and potential restructure. His capacity and abilities have served the newly titled Australian Healthcare Association in an outstanding fashion. In 1999 Ron was appointed as a member of the Council of the International Hospital Federation. This is a measure of the esteem in which Ron is held not only in Australia but internationally. In 1981 Ron played a vital role on the Organising Committee for the IHF Conference held in Sydney in that year. As stated earlier Ron has always had a strong commitment to the quality and performance improvement aspects of the industry. This is reflected in his contribution to the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards over the past two decades as a surveyor initially and then in his role of Councillor and Board Member representing the AHA. Throughout Australia, Ron has been recognised as a person of integrity, a person committed to improving the system and a person with the knowledge and skills to implement such improvements. His financial background, management know-how and experience coupled with his cool unflappable approach and negotiating skill shave ensured that his council, input and advice has been sought on a myriad of matters by the broad cross section of the Australian Healthcare system. The unstinting devotion of his time, intellect and energy is a measure of Ron's dedication and commitment. This has continued over this past twelve months despite his fluctuating health status. Ron is a person who whilst achieving hight office has not sought a high profile or wanted the overt recognition that goes with such achievements. He is however, one of the most influential, respected and effective health management professionals in Australia. He is a most worthy recipient of the AHA Sax Medal.

But it is not all work. Gillian is a Board member and facilitator of the Tasmania Leaders Program - a not for profit organisation now in its fourth year- which develops leaders across the Tasmanian commuity, across all sectors. She plays regular tennis and occasional golf; she is committed to family and friends; she travels for work and play and enjoys time at the family "retreat" at Bellettes Bay, Tasmania.

Job Titles:

• Professor of Community Medicine
• Professor of Health Policy

Professor Duckett has made an outstanding contribution in the field of health services policy, organisation, delivery and research. His achievements in, and contribution to, the development and improvement of the Australian health care system and health policy are outstanding. Professor Duckett's commitment to policy leadership in the health sector spans more than 20 years. He is respected nationally and internationally as a leader in health policy. Professor Duckett also has a long-standing commitment to high quality teaching and research in health-related fields and he is a well known and sought after commentator on a range of health policy issues. An economist with a PhD in Health Administration, Professor Duckett is currently Professor of Health Policy, Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Pro Vice-Chancellor (Health Developments) at LaTrobe University in Melbourne. He is a Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Executives. As well as his academic career, Professor Duckett has also had a distinguished bureaucratic career, culminating in the position of Secretary of the Commonwealth Department of Human Services and Health. In this role he held statutory responsibility for a range of policy areas including health insurance, aged care, children's services, disability services, drug regulation, public health and research. He encouraged innovative policy solutions and a new approach to Commonwealth-State relations in public health in Australia based on negotiated performance targets. He set standards to improve accountability to the public and Parliament by an increased emphasis on open and honest evaluation of programs, development of performance indicators and public reporting on those. Over the course of his career so far, Professor Stephen Duckett has contributed significantly to the transformation of health services nationally, particularly in Victoria. His major initiatives include the implementation of casemix funding for public hospitals, for which he earned himself the title of ‘Captain Casemix', and the recent reconfiguration of the Victorian public health sector. Professor Duckett has continued to lobby for improvements to health service governance and for greater accountability by Boards of Directors for the safety and quality of health services. Professor Duckett was nominated by Bayside Health, a large Victorian Metropolitan Health Service. He has been Chair of the Board of Directors of Bayside Health since it was first established in June 2000 and was recently reappointed for a further 3-year term. He has emphasised that the key to quality management is the development of a culture of openness and innovation within each health care organisation and that this culture is necessary to sustain an environment where, should adverse events occur, they are reported and analysed to minimise the risk of similar events occurring in the future. In addition to his own research, his conference and committee participation and his extensive list of publications in health policy, Professor Duckett has fostered research related to health policy within his own university, nationally and internationally over many years. His influence continues to be far reaching. Professor Duckett's contribution to the fields of health services policy, organisation, delivery and research have been outstanding and he is a worthy recipient of the 2003 Sidney Sax Medal in recognition of his past and ongoing work.

Job Titles:

• AHHA Staff Member
• Director, Business Development