Health Leader Ron Dunham New Chief Executive of Lakes DHB

20 July 2012

Experienced Health Leader Ron Dunham Appointed Chief Executive of Lakes DHB

The Chair of Lakes District Health Board Deryck Shaw says he is delighted to announce the appointment of very experienced health manager Ron Dunham as the Chief Executive of Lakes District Health Board, replacing Cathy Cooney who stepped down at the end of June after 11 and a half years in the role.

Ron Dunham was formerly CE of the Bay of Plenty DHB, Chief Operating Officer at Middlemore Hospital and more recently Chief Executive of the Western New South Wales health district in Australia, a large outback health system with 41 hospitals in some very remote areas.

Born in Mangakino, Ron Dunham spent his early years on the family farm in the Atiamuri, Ongatoro area. He has a clinical background (nursing) as well as management degrees (MBA Auckland).

Married to Sally, a veterinarian in Whakatane, the family home is on the coast near Maketu. The older of the two children is at university overseas and the younger is in his final year at high school.

Ron Dunham says he is looking forward to working with the Rotorua and Taupo communities to improve health outcomes advancing health issues on a regional and national basis.

Board Chair Deryck Shaw says Ron Dunham’s significant expertise in the health sector in New Zealand and Australia will position Lakes DHB very well going forward and ensure no loss of momentum on Lakes health programmes.

“Ron’s strong background in clinical outcomes is expected to assist in helping to consolidate our strong performance across a range of areas. Also of help will be his experience of working in areas where there are marked health inequalities,” said Deryck Shaw.

He says Ron Dunham’s experience as a hospital manager will enable Lakes DHB to realise increased benefits from the DHB’s hospitals redevelopment programme, while at the same time ensuring that resources across the Lakes district are allocated where they can help achieve the best health outcomes.

Deryck Shaw says Ron Dunham’s understanding of the complex health environment will ensure the valuable work advanced under Cathy Cooney’s leadership at Lakes, will continue.

Ron Dunham will start at Lakes DHB on Wednesday 5 September.

ENDS

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