Media Release
Western Victoria PHN (WVPHN) Chair Ms Lynne McLennan today announced Rowena Clift as the organisation’s new Chief Executive Officer, replacing former CEO Dr Leanne Beagley who left WVPHN in April to take on the role of CEO with Mental Health Australia.
Ms Clift, who has held the temporary position of Acting Ballan District Health and Care CEO for the last 10 months, will return to WVPHN in early June. Prior to this secondment, Ms Clift was Director of Service and System Integration at WVPHN for five years.
“On behalf of the Board I am very pleased to have Rowena Clift back at the PHN in the role of CEO as she will bring significant experience to the position and the organisation.
“The Board also extends thanks to Acting CEO Tony Ficca on his leadership over the last few months, building on our response and support to the region’s primary care sector during this coronavirus pandemic,” said Ms McLennan.
With over 20 years’ experience in the healthcare industry, both acute and primary, Ms Clift said she was looking forward to continuing the important work of Western Victoria Primary Health Network.
“I am delighted to be taking on the role of CEO at WVPHN. My passion is primary health care and delivering services on the ground to communities,” said Ms Clift.
“My recent experience in managing a busy health service in a small rural town and a General Practice clinic has been invaluable in further understanding the challenges faced by primary health care in rural and remote areas. This includes challenges such as supporting the complexities of aged care as well as the ongoing General Practitioner workforce issues faced by communities across western Victoria.”
Ms Clift has held many leadership roles across various organisations in the health sector in both clinical service redesign and system transformation and holds qualifications in Nursing and Health Systems Management.