National Rural Health Alliance appoints new CEO

Australia’s peak body for rural, regional and remote health, the National Rural Health Alliance (NRHA), has appointed Susanne (Susi) Tegen - an advocate for rural communities, as its new Chief Executive Officer.

Susi Tegen has lived and worked in rural and remote Australia for most of her working life while living in rural South Australia, Northern Territory, New South Wales, Australian Capital Territory and Victoria.

Her interests have led to stakeholder led medical workforce strategies, farm safety, mental health services, remote monitoring and telehealth initiatives, policies and funding change to support medical and health service access for rural and remote communities.

She recognises the value of rural medical and allied health training, community ownership and advocacy, health literacy, as well as government and private approaches to serving communities sustainably.

Ms Tegen has served in Chief Executive roles for several medical and health bodies, including MedTech and other peak organisations together with leading RANZCO,  specialist training programs for medical professionals, policy and research. Susi has been on several government and health portfolio advisory committees, Medicare review panels, providing insights from a service delivery, strategic policy and consumer access lens to further the cause of rural and remote health.

NRHA Chair Nicole O’Reilly congratulated Susi and welcomed her to the role.

“The NRHA Board is excited by the experience and passion that Susi Tegen brings to our organisation,” Ms O’Reilly said.

“Her career and personal experience in rural Australia will add value to the NRHA’s mission to advocate for better and more accessible health services across rural, regional and remote Australia.”

Susi’s appointment comes when the NRHA has increased its membership to 46 organisations representing health professionals, service providers, consumers, medical and health educators and researchers working in and for rural, regional and remote Australia.

Susi Tegen succeeds Dr Gabrielle O’Kane and will take up her new position from 27 September 2022 on a part time basis and from 23 October 2022 full time in Canberra.