Indigenous Health Initiative Appoints General Manager
The Remote Area Health Corps (RAHC) has appointed Dr Lisa Studdert as General Manager. Established in late 2008 with funding from the Federal Government’s Expanding Health Service Delivery Initiative (EHSDI) in the Northern Territory (NT), RAHC is working in partnership with the Aboriginal Medical Services (AMS) of the NT and the NT Department of Health and Families (NT DHF) to expand and support primary health services.
RAHC’s key objective is to attract urban-based doctors, nurses and allied health professionals to work in primary health services for Indigenous people in remote areas of the NT. Assignments are paid and for short periods of three weeks to three months enabling health professionals to maintain their professional and personal obligations at home while participating in efforts to expand and strengthen primary health services. RAHC has already placed more than 40 health professionals to health services across the NT and is receiving new requests daily.
Dr Studdert comes to RAHC from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) where her most recent position was as Head of Health Programs in Vietnam. Her work included leading projects in the areas of health systems reform, provincial health infrastructure development, health financing, health workforce, nutrition and HIV and AIDS. Lisa has experience in health sector strategic planning and program management with the United Nation’s World Food Programme and UNICEF and was previously an Advisor on public and Indigenous health issues to the Minister for Health and Ageing, Dr Michael Wooldridge. Lisa has a PhD in public health nutrition, is highly regarded in her profession and brings to RAHC enormous enthusiasm, experience and vision.
Lisa says: "RAHC is embracing the challenge of offering health professionals the opportunity to get involved in a practical way in improving health services in remote communities of the NT. We are resourced to do this in an innovative way and respond to needs identified by local communities. RAHC provides a new contribution to the efforts of others involved in Indigenous health programs across the country and will develop a sustainable and effective program. We want professionals to have a rewarding experience and to share this with friends and colleagues so we can get more healthcare professionals involved.
"The ultimate goal is for us to develop this pioneering program to exist far into the future so that health professionals see involvement with the RAHC as an integral part of their career. We are committed to ensuring RAHC exists as a valued part of a comprehensive approach to improving Indigenous health in Australia."
