Media release

AMA Secretary General Mr Francis Sullivan

The Secretary General of the Federal AMA, Mr Francis Sullivan, is leaving the AMA, having served out his five-year contract with the organisation.

Mr Sullivan will next year take up a new position as CEO of the Truth, Justice and Healing Council, a role within the Catholic Church managing the issues and ramifications of the Royal Commission into Child Abuse.

AMA President, Dr Steve Hambleton, said today that Mr Sullivan has been a highly respected advocate for the AMA, the medical profession, and the Australian health system.

“It is with much regret that the AMA is losing such a strong and well-connected colleague, but he is taking on a role for which he is uniquely equipped and very passionate about,” Dr Hambleton said.

“Francis has been a diligent and hardworking leader and manager for the AMA.  He has not only been a trusted CEO and adviser to the AMA leadership, he has been a friend and confidant.

“Francis steered the AMA through the Rudd Government’s health reform era, engineered the AMA’s response to the recommendations of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, and drove the AMA’s advocacy throughout the very tight 2010 Federal election.

“Highly regarded by both sides of politics, Francis ensured that the AMA always had access and impact at the highest levels in Parliament House in Canberra.

“Throughout his time at the AMA, Francis has worked closely with the Executive and the Federal Council to maximise the potential of the organisation’s governance, membership and marketing structures and activities.

“Francis leaves the AMA with a significant legacy of achievement, and he will be sorely missed.  We wish him well for the future.”

Before joining the AMA, Mr Sullivan spent 14 years as the Chief Executive Officer of Catholic Health Australia (CHA), speaking for 73 private and public hospitals and more than 500 aged care services across Australia.

Prior to that, he was senior adviser to the Minister for Health in Western Australia where he was responsible for health financing concerns, notably the Medicare agreement and Commonwealth/State relations.  He was also responsible for private health insurance, aged care policy and bioethical issues.

Francis has a Master’s degree in Theology from Loyola University in Chicago, and a Bachelor’s degree in Politics from Curtin University in Western Australia.  In 2008, the Australian Catholic University awarded him an honorary Doctorate for his work in public health advocacy.

11 December 2012

CONTACT:         John Flannery                       02 6270 5477 / 0419 494 761

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