New AMA Secretary General Announced
Dr Martin Laverty has been appointed as the new Secretary General of the AMA. Dr Laverty will be joining the AMA after serving as Chief Executive of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) of Australia. Dr Laverty will commence the role later this year.
“The AMA Board has chosen a Chief Executive with advocacy and deep health policy experience, a background in working behind the scenes with Ministers and Departments, and a strong track record in campaigning for national health reform,” AMA President Dr Tony Bartone said.
“With a PhD in Governance, Dr Laverty has built a reputation as a strategic campaigner and a collaborative leader of Canberra-based advocacy organisations and teams.
“Dr Laverty was a campaigner for private hospitals during the Rudd Government, and a campaigner for aged care and the social determinants of health during the Gillard Government.
“In more recent times, he has led organisations advocating for remote and rural medical services, mental health services, and dental health care throughout the terms of the Abbott, Turnbull, and Morrison Governments.”
A lawyer by training, Dr Laverty’s PhD was in board governance of health care organisations. He also holds an honorary appointment as Adjunct Professor at the University of Western Australia’s Not-for-Profit Initiative.
“I will work closely with the President and the AMA Federal Council to promote the calibre and central importance of the medical profession within our healthcare system in the face of many challenges,” Dr Laverty said.
