Opportunities and challenges in the health sector

More than 40 health care professionals recently attended a workshop at RMIT University to discuss the opportunities and challenges facing female leaders in the health industry.

The workshop focused on developing leadership skills, leading in times of rapid change and the changing nature of leadership for women working in the health sector.

Presenters included Beth Wilson, Victorian Health Commissioner; Allison McMillan, Chief Nurse and Midwifery Officer, Department of Human Services; Chris McLoughlin, Executive Director, Organisational Development, Alfred Health; Anne Wright, Organisational Development Manager, Northern Health; and Professor Sandra Jones and Associate Professor Carlene Boucher, School of Management, RMIT.

In her presentation, Ms McMillan emphasised the need for leaders to prepare for the future and to think creatively about how health services might be managed in the future.

Ms McLoughlin then discussed how women could advance their careers through lateral job moves and gaining experience outside the health industry.

The highlight of the workshop was Ms Wilson’s engaging and humorous discussion of the need for leaders to communicate effectively and to use complaints as a chance to learn.

Associate Professor Boucher said: “The workshop was an opportunity for health practitioners to learn from the experiences of each other, to hear about recent advances in research and to reflect on how they might lead in the future.”

The event was sponsored by the Women + Work Research Cluster, Centre for Sustainable Organisations and Work, RMIT.

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