Health group names new chief executive

Award-winning Catherine Morley is Wimmera Health Care Group’s new chief executive.

Ms Morley, who will start her new role on September 11, replaces Chris Scott who resigned from the position earlier this year.

Ms Morley has been Rural Northwest Health chief executive for almost eight years and has taken on the new role to further her career.

Her appointment comes immediately after she was inducted into Victoria’s Honour Roll for Women in the public sector.

Wimmera Health Care Group management board chair Marie Aitken said the group’s extensive search led to the appointment of ‘an outstanding candidate from close to home’.

“Ms Morley will build on our strengths and bring fresh ideas and enthusiasm to our health service,” she said.

“The board looks forward to working with Ms Morley and the executive team to ensure we continue to deliver safe and high-quality care to the communities we serve.”

Acting chief executive Mark Knights added his support to the announcement.

“We congratulate Catherine on her appointment and assure her of our support as she takes up the challenges and opportunities that are ahead in the coming years,” he said.

Mrs Aitken said Ms Morley had broad experience through her knowledge across acute, aged and community care and her passion for making a difference to people’s lives.

“Catherine is a strategic and innovative leader, who has extensive experience within the health industry,” she said.

“With strong financial and commercial acumen, and with advanced and proven problem-solving skills, Catherine has a track record of achieving high-level operational and financial results in both public and private settings.”

Rural Northwest Health chair Sally Gebert said Ms Morley’s move was a sad but opportunistic occasion.

“It’s sad to see Catherine leave, but has left us in the strongest position possible to appoint the best suitor,” she said.

“We are after all, Victoria’s small health service of the year twice running and now with five-star accreditation.

“She leaves us in a strong position financially and the new model of care is up and running successfully.”

Mrs Gebert said her board looked forward to the challenge of appointing a suitable replacement.

“We are looking to recruit a CEO who will not only be able to maintain what we have, but build on our strong position and look to the future,” she said. SCHUBERTS PEST SERVICES