Prof Susan O’Dwyer new Medical Board chair

The medical administrator has taken up the role following the end of Dr Anne Tonkin’s term.

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Professor Susan O’Dwyer, executive director of medical services for Metro South HHS in Brisbane, has officially started her term as the new chair of the Medical Board of Australia. 

Professor O’Dwyer was one of five new chairs of national boards named by the Health Ministers at their meeting in Canberra earlier this month. 

She has been a part-time practitioner member of the MBA for the past 8.5 years and before that was chair of the Queensland board. Prior to that Dr O’Dwyer was principal medical officer for Queensland Health for 7.5 years. 

Professor O’Dwyer replaces Dr Anne Tonkin, who has completed her six years at the helm. 

Also announced by the Health Ministers were: 

• Dr Simon Shanahan as Chair of the Dental Board of Australia (replacing Dr Murray Thomas);  

• Dr Cameron Phillips PhD as Chair of the Pharmacy Board of Australia (replacing Brett Simmonds);  

• Dr Paula Harding PhD as Chair of the Physiotherapy Board of Australia (replacing Kim Gibson); and  

• Dr Kristy Robson PhD as Chair of the Podiatry Board of Australia (replacing Professor Cylie Williams PhD).  

“Their succession to these leadership roles reflects the depth and breadth of their skills and experience from serving on the National Boards and as practitioners from their respective professions,” said the Health Ministers’ announcement. 

The appointments are made under the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory, and are consistent with the National Board Member Succession Planning Principles. 

There remain 10 vacancies which were readvertised: 

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Practice Board of Australia – practitioner member from Western Australia; 

• Chiropractic Board of Australia – practitioner member from Victoria 

• Dental Board of Australia – practitioner member from the Northern Territory 

• Medical Board of Australia – practitioner member from the Australian Capital Territory 

• Optometry Board of Australia – practitioner member from Victoria and a community member 

• Osteopathy Board of Australia – community member 

• Pharmacy Board of Australia – practitioner member from the Australian Capital Territory and a community member, and 

• Psychology Board of Australia – practitioner member from Western Australia.