Top Australian health leader attracted to Alberta
January 28, 2009
EDMONTON, AB - Alberta Health Services Board Chair, Mr. Ken Hughes has announced that Dr. StephenDuckett, Chief Executive of the Centre for Healthcare Improvement for Queensland Health, Australia hasaccepted the position of President and Chief Executive Officer of Alberta Health Services, effective March 23, 2009.
"We have been entrusted with the rare and exceptional opportunity to collaborate and create a health systemthat will become the gold standard around the world, and the Board is extremely pleased that Dr. Duckett,with his outstanding team-oriented leadership style and his ability to build partnerships, has accepted thispivotal leadership position," stated Mr. Hughes.
"Dr. Duckett has extraordinary communication and people management skills," said Mr. Hughes, who added, "His key strengths in change management will lead Alberta Health Services in our quest to provide asustainable, accessible, patient-focused health system for all Albertans."
"The Health Services Board has made an outstanding choice in recruiting a world class leader in Dr.Duckett," said Ron Liepert, Alberta's Minister of Health and Wellness. "Albertans will have high expectationsof the new CEO who I am confident will bring new ideas and creative initiatives to improve health caredelivery in our province. I would also like to join Ken Hughes in thanking Interim CEO Charlotte Robb for herhard work and dedication to ensure health care delivery remained unimpeded during this transition period."
Dr. Duckett said "This is an exciting challenge; the integrated organization provides us with a betteropportunity to share the good things that are going on in health services around the province and to providea better health system to meet Albertans' health needs."
Dr. Duckett's annual compensation will be a base salary of $575,000 with a bonus of up 25% for performance, which will be based on objective and quantifiable results. In addition Dr. Duckett will receivebenefits such as a vehicle allowance, medical, and contributions totaling the maximum $20,000 towards aregistered savings plan.
Alberta Health Services is the provincial health authority responsible for planning and delivering health supports and services for more than 3.5 million adults and children living in Alberta. Its mission is to providea patient-focused health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.
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Attachment: Biography of Dr. Duckett
For media inquiries, please contact:
Mark Kastner
Executive Director, Media Relations Alberta Health Services
Phone: 780-974-4658 or 403-816-3762
Backgrounder
Dr. Stephen Duckett
Education
2006 Doctor of Business Administration in Higher Education Management,
University of Bath, United Kingdom
2006 Doctor of Science awarded based on his publications,
University of New South Wales, Sydney, Australia
1981 PhD, Health Administration,
University of New South Wales,Sydney, Australia
1973 Masters of Health Administration,
University of New South Wales,Sydney, Australia
1971 Bachelor of Economics (Economics and Pure Mathematics),
Australian National University, Canberra, Australia
Board of Directors affliations
2008 – Present National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission
2000 – 2005 Bayside Health
1996 – 2005 Brotherhood of St Laurence
1999 – 2005 Council of Deans of Health Sciences
Professional experience
2006 – Present QUEENSLAND HEALTH, Brisbane, Australia
Chief Executive Officer, Centre for Healthcare Improvement
2006 – Present UNIVERSITY OF QUEENSLAND, Queensland, Australia
Adjunct Professor, Australian Centre for Economics Research on Health and School ofPopulation Health
1996 – 2006 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, Melbourne, Australia
1996 – 2006 Professor of Health Policy and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, Pro Vice-Chancellor
1994 – 1996 GOVERNMENT OF AUSTRALIA, Canberra, Australia
Secretary, Department of Human Services and Health
1993 – 1994 LA TROBE UNIVERSITY, Melbourne, Australia
Professor of Health Policy and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences
1984 – 1993 VICTORIAN DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND COMMUNITY SERVICE
(and predecessors)
Director of Acute Health Services
Various operational and policy positions leading to the Director
1974 – 1983 UNIVERSITY OF NEW SOUTH WALES, Sydney, Australia
1975 – 1983 Academic
1974 – 1975 Various operational roles within the university hospital
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