Changing of the guard for local primary health service
Today the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network (MPHN) says farewell to outgoing CEO, Nancye Piercy, and warmly welcomes incoming CEO, James Lamerton.
MPHN Board Chairman, Dr Max Graffen, said Ms Piercy had worked in the health industry for some 61 years, with 42 of those years in Wagga Wagga.
She was appointed CEO of the Riverina Division of General Practice in 1998 and subsequently the Murrumbidgee Medicare Local in 2011 and the Murrumbidgee Primary Health Network in 2015.
“Sadly, we farewell our brilliant CEO, Nancye, whose vision, energy and 'can do' approach have largely made this organisation the success it has become over many years.
“She has been a tour de force in the local and national health scene over many decades”, said Dr Graffen
Mrs Piercy’s awards include the 1993 Australian Honours List with the Public Service Medal for Outstanding Public Service to NSW Health, the 2007 Louis Ariotti Award for Innovation and Excellence in Australian Rural and Remote Health, and Life Membership of the Australian College of Health Service Managers in 2013.
Mr Lamerton joins the MPHN team from Ngaanyatjarra Health Service, the most remote Aboriginal health service in the country, where he was the CEO, responsible for all primary health services to 12 communities in the Gibson and Great Victoria Desert regions of Western Australia.
“James has a long history of successful leadership of Aboriginal health organisations and mainstream health organisations across the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland and has also undertaken study tours of the New Zealand and English primary health systems.
“He has also held CEO positions with Divisions of General Practice in Perth and the Sunshine Coast, as well as a Northern Territory Aboriginal health service. He has also worked with the South Eastern Sydney Area Health Service, in health policy areas and as an academic.
“He grew up in Wagga, attending St Michaels and Wagga High but prior to returning, lived in Alice Springs with his partner Renate,” Mrs Piercy said.
Mr Lamerton said his concentration will be on building the capacity of primary health care services to deliver high quality and relevant services.
“I’m looking forward to collaborating with our state and federal colleagues to enhance the health and wellbeing of the entire population of our area, particularly those most disadvantaged”, Mr Lamerton said.
ENDS
Media opportunity with Nancye Piercy and James Lamerton
11.30am on Thursday 31 March 2016 at 1/185 Morgan Street, Wagga Wagga
