MACH warmly welcomes Associate Professor Magdalena Simonis AM to the Board as its new Primary Care Representative. She succeeds Dr Mukesh Haikerwal AC, who ends his tenure after six years of service.
As a longstanding researcher and clinician at the University of Melbourne, Associate Professor Simonis has contributed to academic scholarship and clinical education in general practice.
She is also a longtime member of the RACGP Expert Committee for Quality Care and has served on numerous government advisory bodies – shaping national health priorities and digital health innovation.
Associate Professor Simonis says MACH is uniquely placed to foster collaboration to enhance primary care delivery across Victoria.
“By bringing together diverse perspectives and expertise from across MACH’s expansive network, we can work to address the complex challenges facing primary care and develop solutions that improve patient outcomes and experiences,” she says.
“I look forward to working closely with my colleagues on the MACH Board and engaging with healthcare professionals, researchers and leaders in primary care.”
Associate Professor Simonis’ leadership spans the health, aged care, gender equity, research translation and climate sectors. She has held governance roles at state and national-level organisations driving service innovation, policy reform and sustainable organisational growth.
A strong advocate for evidence-based, community-responsive solutions, she has led initiatives at the intersection of public health, policy and equity – including primary prevention training to address gender-based violence.
MACH Board Chair Professor Jane Gunn AO says she is delighted to welcome Associate Professor Simonis as the new Primary Care Representative.
“Associate Professor Simonis’ extensive experience as an accomplished general practitioner and her commitment to ethical leadership and driving innovation and policy reform in primary care brings an invaluable perspective to the Board,” she says.
“I would also like to express our deepest gratitude to Dr Mukesh Haikerwal AC for his dedication and significant contributions to the MACH Board over the past six years. We wish him all the very best in his next exciting challenge.”