Barwon Health chief executive officer (CEO) Professor Belinda Moyes has resigned after 10 months in the job.
“This has not been an easy decision,“ Prof Moyes said in a statement to Barwon Health’s employees. “I have thoroughly enjoyed working at Barwon Health.”
“I know I can rely on you all … to give the new CEO all your support to ensure Barwon Health is the very best health service in the state. The Geelong community deserves this.”
The organisation’s chair, Doctor John Stekelenburg thanked Prof Moyes “for her contribution to Barwon Health and the Geelong community”.
Prof Moyes joined Barwon Health in July last year, turning a $13.8 million deficit into an expected break-even budget, Dr Stekelenberg said.
She resigned to take up a senior advisory role on National Workforce Reform in the Department of Health and Human Services.
A Barwon Health spokesperson said Prof Moyes left of her own accord and that the “sudden resignation” was due to the department wanting her to start as soon as possible.
Western Health CEO Associate Professor Alex Cockram will take over from Ms Moyes until Barwon Health finds a permanent replacement.
“We are fortunate to have secured the services of one of Victoria’s most experienced health service chief executives,” Dr Stekelenberg said
“I have met with Assoc Prof Cockram and look forward to working closely with her as we move forward. During that time, we will undergo a formal search for a new chief executive.”
Assoc Prof Cockram is a board member of the Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre, has served on multiple ministerial advisory committees and has a clinical background in psychiatry.
