STAWELL Regional Health has a new leader at the helm in former director of clinical and aged care services Kate Pryde.
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Ms Pryde stepped into the role of chief executive on Monday November 11.
Health Recruitment Specialists conducted the recruiting.
Ms Pryde began at Stawell Regional Health as operational director in June 2018 before moving into her role as director of clinical and aged care services.
She said she wants to continue to lead the hospital along its current trajectory.
"I think Stawell Regional Health over the last 12 months has been leading in a positive direction so the intention is to continue that," she said.
"I spoke on the radio today (Tuesday) about how important partnerships are in allowing us to access very up-to-date treatments and technology.
"We just finished developing a strategic plan and a lot of our community and key stakeholders are very invested in that, and that's going to guide us for the next three years. For me it's about delivering on that."
The strategic plan will be launched at the health organisation's annual general meeting on December 4.
Ms Pryde said another focus will be consumer care.
"There's a real shift in healthcare to involve consumers, so we're also going to put together over the next 12 months our consumer advisory group," she said.
"We're really looking for everyone from teens to our centenarians ... to have a say in our hospital, in the building that we're doing and the information that we're providing.
"Healthcare isn't just about bricks and mortar anymore."
Ms Pryde has broad experience in private and public health both in Australia and overseas, which has given her extensive experience in executive healthcare.
She holds qualifications in Applied Science, Critical Care and Midwifery and has an MBA.
She formerly held the role of chief operating officer at a women's and children's hospital in Shanghai. Now though, Ms Pryde says has bought a house and is here to stay.
"For me this region speaks to me," she said. "There's something about the place."
Ms Pryde has chosen Stawell as her home, and is already active in the community.
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