New PSA CEO

The PSA has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer who holds extensive government and healthcare experience, as 7CPA negotiations ramp up. The Pharmaceutical Society of Australia has appointed Mark Kinsela to the role of Chief Executive Officer, replacing interim CEO Dr Shane Jackson who has been in the role since February.

Mr Kinsela, who was mostly recently Chief of Staff at the Australian Digital Health Agency, is a former adviser to the Commonwealth Minister for Health and Minister for Social Services and Aged Care. He holds an MBA and is a nurse by training, having previously worked as a clinical nurse educator, nursing officer and trauma intensive care specialist. “We are delighted to have someone of Mark’s experience leading PSA into its next stage,” said PSA national president, Associate Professor Chris Freeman.

“Mark’s career has taken in all aspects of health care, from delivery through to policy. It has given him an exceptional level of expertise and insight into the challenges facing Australia’s health care systems and potential solutions, such as innovation and multidisciplinary care,” he said. “We believe Mark’s training as a health care provider and executive MBA, combined with his impressive professional background, will help PSA continue to ensure our profession has the opportunity to positively contribute to policy making at the highest levels and achieve the goals outlined in our Pharmacists in 2023 vision.”

Mr Kinsela was appointed by the PSA Board and will formally begin his new role on 2 December 2019.

Dr Jackson will step down from the position of interim CEO once Mr Kinsela officially commences, and after this will continue to lead PSA’s negotiations of the 7CPA. A/Prof Freeman thanked Dr Jackson for “more than ably” leading PSA during its CEO search. “Dr Jackson was previously PSA president and generously agreed to act as CEO until the role was filled,” he said.

Belinda Wood, who was appointed as Deputy CEO at the same time Dr Jackson was appointed interim CEO, has also stepped down from her position. Prior to this she was PSA’s General Manager, Policy and Advocacy for almost one year and CEO at the Generic and Biosimilar Medicines Association for over three years. “Belinda has been a valued member of our team. We were very pleased when she agreed in February to step into the role of Deputy CEO,” said A/Prof Freeman. “On behalf of all the PSA staff and board, we wish Belinda the best and thank her for the contribution she has made to the profession during her time with PSA. “She has helped to set the vision for pharmacists in Pharmacists in 2023 and has been pivotal in securing PSA as a co-signatory to the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement. We wish her all the best as she moves on to the next stage of her career.”

Source: ajp.com.au/news/new-ceo-for-leading-pharmacist-organisation/?utm_source=AJP+Daily&utm_campaign=2a6c3d8b1c-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2019_10_15_06_55&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_cce9c58212-2a6c3d8b1c-109985429, viewed 16 October 2019