Movers and Shakers 2020-2021

NEWS - eHealthNews.nz editor Rebecca McBeth

Ruth Large

Ruth Large is moving on from her role as clinical director information services and virtual healthcare at Waikato DHB to a position as chief clinical officer at Homecare Medical. 

Large has enjoyed a variety of positions at the DHB since starting there over 13 years ago and says she is particularly proud of the telehealth service that has grown in that time and provides access to healthcare for rural patients both regionally and locally. 

She will continue in her role as chair of the New Zealand Telehealth Leadership Group and she is looking forward to her new role with the Homecare Medical team which starts on March 15. 

Rob Old

Rob Old became chief technology officer for 3DHB ICT in August 2020, having already spent some time as a principle advisor to the chief digital officer.

His role encompasses Capital and Coast, Hutt Valley and Wairarapa DHBs. He is tasked with evolving the technology operations’ operating model in a way that optimises the service experience from a digital and data perspective, for the workforce and customers across the greater Wellington DHBs. 

Old has been working in technology for over 25 years in organisations as diverse as BNZ, Microsoft and TelstraClear and brings a strong commercial and delivery background to the role.

Peter Bramley

Peter Bramley has been appointed chief executive of Canterbury and West Coast DHBs, starting on February 15.

Bramley became acting CEO of the DHBs last year after the departure of David Meates in early September. Meates was one of seven resignations amongst the senior leadership team of CDHB last year.

“After a period of transition, I’m looking forward to being able to provide some stability and leadership to the teams,” Bramley said. 

“We have significant work to do, and I am looking forward to working with staff and the Boards to improve the health of the Canterbury and West Coast DHBs’ communities.”

Bramley has been CEO of Nelson Marlborough Health since 2017. Lexie O’Shea has been appointed interim CEO for Nelson Marlborough Health.

Scott Arrol

Scott Arrol has left his role as chief executive of NZHIT to become chief executive of Dementia NZ. He has also become an appointed member of the HiNZ board on a one-year term.

Arrol was CEO of the digital health industry body for six years and over that time increased the membership to 160 organisations. Before that he was involved in the management of community health care services around New Zealand. 

NZHIT is currently recruiting for the permanent position.

Mark Cox

Mark Cox is acting chief executive of NZHIT while a new CEO is appointed.
 
During 2019, he worked on the NZHIT submission to the Health and Disability review and he continues to work with Malcolm Pollock on the industry body’s Opportunities Report.
 
Mark has over 35 years’ experience in NZ health IT and runs his own business, Health IT Consulting. 
 
“We are thrilled that Mark has agreed to step into this important role, seamlessly taking over as Acting CEO role until our new CEO is appointed.  We have had a lot of interest in the CEO role and will be looking to appoint the successful candidate as soon as possible,”says Kate Reid, NZHIT chair

Dave Richards

Dave Richards is General Manager Ambulance Operations – Operational Effectiveness at St John. His team is responsible for gathering and using reliable, real time data, business intelligence and advanced analysis to drive real time tactical decision making, medium term resource planning and long-term needs analysis (across both workforce and ambulance assets).

St John recently launched the National Operations Effectiveness Centre which operates continuously 24/7, enacting the tactical performance and operational escalation functions of Ambulance Operations by utilising a range of real time data feeds to monitor the ambulance service nationally.

Rebecca George

Rebecca George has been elected chair of the HiNZ board for a second year. George is undertaking a DHSc in Allied Health leadership and works regionally and nationally consulting on a number of digital health projects. 

“I intend to lead HiNZ with the collaboration of a highly motivated HiNZ team and board membership to successfully ensure the digital health community remains connected, informed and able to innovate for the health and disability system of the future,” she says.  

“This year may not be predictable, but we are keen to engage with our community in a variety of forums, provide the latest news and create the space for change.”

John Ashley

John Ashley has been appointed deputy chair of the HiNZ board. Ashley is director, digital strategy and solutions at Atlantis Healthcare.

He has served as an appointed HiNZ board member since 2018, and an elected member since 2019 and is also actively involved in NZHIT’s Virtual Health Industry Group.

“It’s an honour to be appointed deputy chair of Health Informatics New Zealand, and I’m looking forward to continuing to support our chair, Becky George, and the HiNZ board and management team as we adapt to changes in our operating environment,” Ashley says.  

“I’m excited about the HiNZ strategy for 2021, including new initiatives like the Fellowship programme (FHiNZ) to ensure HiNZ remains relevant to its members”.

Mike Weiss

Mike Weiss became chief executive of Clanwilliam Health in October 2020 after previously served as deputy CEO and chief commercial officer of the business.

He takes over from Michelle Creighton who decided to step down after more than 10 years in senior leadership roles in the business.

Clanwilliam Health was created in 2019 when Auckland-based healthcare technology companies HealthLink and Konnect NET merged. Weiss served as chief executive of Konnect NET prior to the merger.

Weiss says the company will remain focussed on its customers, patient outcomes, provider experience and protecting sensitive information.

If you would like to provide feedback on this news story, please contact the editor Rebecca McBeth.

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