The Digital Health CRC (DHCRC) has announced the appointment of Annette Schmiede, a well-respected leader in Australia’s health and aged care sector, to the role of CEO, following the resignation this week of former CEO Terry Sweeney.
Ms Schmiede, who is the current Chair of Research Australia and former Executive Leader of the Bupa Health Foundation, has been active within the DHCRC since its establishment in 2018, more recently as Senior Advisor. The appointment is effective immediately.
DHCRC Chair, Kate Munnings said she was pleased to have someone of Ms Schmiede’s reputation and experience to lead the organisation in its ongoing mission to translate world-leading research into tangible and commercially viable digital health solutions.
“Ms Schmiede brings a wealth of experience across healthcare, tertiary education and research. She recently completed 10 years on the Board of the Northern Sydney Local Health District as Deputy Chair and is a Senator for the Australian Catholic University,” Ms Munnings said.
“Ms Schmiede has been working with the DHCRC since our establishment and brings intimate knowledge of our core objectives, Participants and breadth of current projects and exciting pipeline. We are confident in her ability to lead the organisation during this time, supported by a very capable executive team.
“Our focus now is to continue to work with our Participants to deliver on our Commonwealth milestones. We firmly believe that Ms Schmiede is well placed to support the organisation achieve our ambitious goal to connect industry, government, providers, consumers, academia and research to solve the most pressing healthcare challenges.”
Ms Schmiede said she is looking forward to the opportunity to lead the DHCRC and the potential to position Australia at the forefront of developing digital health technologies, particularly from the experience and uptake of digital health in responding to the COVID pandemic.
“The DHCRC has an important role in building digital workforce capacity and undertaking research and development into overlooked areas such as aged care,” Ms Schmiede said.
Now mid-way through its funding term, the organisation has committed over $25 million to fund Australian research projects focused on digital health.
“I look forward to working closely with our Board, Participants, broader stakeholders and the talented team at the DHCRC in the future,” Ms Schmiede said.
About Annette Schmiede
Annette Schmiede has a well-established and highly respected leadership reputation across Australia’s health and aged care sectors. Her leadership and governance roles include public and private healthcare, private health insurance, industry, tertiary education and health and medical research.
She has acquired a deep understanding of the policy settings, system performance issues and funding models of health and aged care through her positions as a Senior Executive, Board Member, Investor and Consultant within industry and public and non- government organisations.
Annette brings a unique set of experiences and skills to the challenges facing healthcare and the role of digital technologies as an enabler of innovation, productivity enhancement and improved health outcomes.
She is currently the Chair of Research Australia and a Senator for the Australian Catholic University. Annette also recently completed 10 years on the Board of Northern Sydney Local Health District as Deputy Chair.
She is an economics graduate, adjunct Associate Professor Faculty of Medicine and Health University Sydney and Adjunct Professor University Canberra.
