AUSTRALIAN Digital Health Agency (ADHA) Chief of Staff, Mark Kinsela, will be the next CEO of the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia (PSA) (breaking news today).
The Society announced Kinsela's appointment this morning, with the former Australian Army Nursing Officer set to assume the position on 02 Dec, following an extensive search in the wake of former CEO, Graham Catt's departure in Feb, after less than a year in the position.
Announcing the appointment, PSA National President, Dr Chris Freeman, said Kinsela will bring extensive experience in health advocacy working as an adviser to the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Minister for Social Services and Aged Care.
"We are delighted to have someone of Mark's experience leading PSA into its next stage," Freeman said.
"PSA is focused on ensuring the role of pharmacists is optimised as Australia strives to provide quality, safe, and effective care to all.
"We believe Mark's training as a health care provider and executive MBA, combined with his impressive professional background, will help PSA continue to ensure our profession has the opportunity to positively contribute to policy making at the highest levels and achieve the goals outlined in our Pharmacists in 2023 vision."
Former PSA National President, Dr Shane Jackson, who has held the CEO position on an interim basis will step down to make way for Kinsela, who spent three years in the ADHA.
However, with negotiations surrounding the Seventh Community Pharmacy Agreement (7CPA) set to be finalised before the end of the year, Freeman said that Jackson will continue to lead the PSA in talks over the tripartite deal with the Department of Health, Pharmacy Guild of Australia and the PSA.
Recently appointed Guild Executive Director, Suzanne Greenwood, welcomed Kinsela's appointment, saying he would bring invaluable experience to the role.
"Kinsela brings broad knowledge of the health sector as well as executive experience to this important position of leadership," she said.
"The sector faces increasing challenges, but I am confident that working together for the good of the profession and our patients we can achieve strong and positive outcomes."
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