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Western Health Alliance, which operates the Western NSW Primary Health Network (WNSW PHN) is pleased to announce the appointment of Cathy Baynie and Greg Sam as new directors of their governing board.

Board Chair, Dr Robin Williams formally welcomed the new directors at a WNSW PHN Board meeting in Dubbo this week.

“We are very fortunate to welcome both Greg Sam, Chief Executive of the Royal Flying Doctor Service, South Eastern Section and Cathy Baynie, a member of the Commonwealth’s Primary Health Reform Advisory Board to the WNSW PHN board,” said Dr Williams.

“Both of the new directors have a wealth of experience in governance and will bring immense value to our team,” said Dr Williams.

Cathy Baynie has career-long experience in health working across the public, private and aged care sectors with the past 18 years spent working in the primary health care space.

Cathy is the National President and Board Chair of the National Association of Practice Management and manages a multidisciplinary general practice and specialist medical practice in Sydney. She is also the academic director of the Medical Practice Assistant program at the University of New England.

“I am looking forward to sharing my insights and knowledge in practice management and applying them with a rural lens, both at practice and a system-level,” said Ms Baynie.

“I became aware of the work of the WNSW PHN because the National Association of Practice Management is a member of the Western Health Alliance and I have always admired the company’s commitment to innovation, and wanted to take part in the journey,” she said.

Cathy is a firm believer that Practice Managers are key in the development and delivery of strong systems of leadership and management enabling the delivery of quality care in Australian Primary Health Sector.

Greg Sam has led RFDS SE Section since 2013 and has held various international, national and statewide CEO/senior level positions in government, non-government, not-for-profit and private health and social development organisations.

“Over the years, Greg has held corporate governance positions on many Boards and will bring immense insight into rural and remote communities with a depth of experience to support us delivering on our priorities of Aboriginal health, and supporting small towns doing it tough,” said Dr Williams.

Greg Sam has held board positions with Palliative Care Australia, Asthma Australia, Australian Nursing & Midwifery Council and he is currently an NSW Board Director of Carers Australia.

“Western NSW is the heartland for RFDS to improve primary care services for rural and remote people. The WNSW PHN plays a leading role in improving the connection and coordination of rural health care for our communities,” said Mr Sam.

Dr Robin Williams and Dr Paul Collett were both reappointed as WHAL directors and Dr Williams was re-appointed as the Board Chair. Ms Melina Saunders, who joined the Board at the start of the year was appointed the Deputy Chair. Ms Saunders, born in Dubbo, is a proud Wiradjuri and Gunditijmara woman who has dedicated her career to improving the health and wellbeing of young Aboriginal people.

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Media Contact

Rebekah Bullock

Phone: 1300 699 167

Email: rebekah.bullock@wnswphn.org.au