Dr Malcolm Thatcher appointed as new Chief Technology Officer
Published 20 January 2021
The Australian Digital Health Agency is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Malcolm Thatcher as its new Chief Technology Officer.
Dr Thatcher’s previous roles include Chief Health Information Officer (CHIO) for Queensland Health and Chief Information Officer (CIO) for Mater Healthcare Group in Brisbane, as well as interim CIO and Chief Executive of eHealth Queensland.
Dr Thatcher has a doctoral degree (PhD) from the Queensland University of Technology with a focus on digital risk and governance. In 2010, he completed a certificate course in Leadership Strategies in Information Technology at Harvard University and in 2016 he was recognised as one of the top 50 CIOs in Australia by CIO Magazine Australia.
In September 2019, Dr Thatcher was appointed Professor of Digital Practice in the QUT Graduate School of Business with a focus on digital transformation, risk and governance and is also a published author on digital health.
Agency CEO Amanda Cattermole said “Dr Thatcher will bring to the Agency not only deep technical skills and a long history in a range of public and private health environments, but also a passion for leadership to help take the Agency forward at this exciting time in digital health.”
“I look forward to his contribution to the National Digital Health Strategy and a better connected healthcare system that enables healthcare providers to access and share important patient information such as pathology and diagnostic imaging results, current and past prescriptions, and medical history.”
“Dr Thatcher will also bring his skills and experience to support the key role of digital health in Australia’s ongoing response to the COVID-19 pandemic.”
Dr Thatcher said “I am joining the Agency at a time when digital health has proven how integral it is to meeting the nation’s healthcare challenges and supporting improved healthcare outcomes.”
“What really impresses me is the Agency’s core focus on building the digital skills of healthcare providers and consumers so they can maximise the benefits of technology.”
Dr Thatcher will start in the role on Monday 8 February. He is the first senior appointment by Ms Cattermole since she started at the Agency in September 2020.
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About the Australian Digital Health Agency
When it comes to improving the health of all Australians, the role of digital innovation and connection is a vital part of a modern, accessible healthcare system. Against the backdrop of COVID-19, digital health has seen exponential growth in relevance and importance, making it more pertinent than ever for all Australians and healthcare providers.
Better patient healthcare and health outcomes are possible when you have a health infrastructure that can be safely accessed, easily used and responsibly shared.
To achieve this, the National Digital Health Strategy is establishing the foundations for a sustainable health system that constantly improves. It underpins and coordinates work that is already happening between governments, healthcare providers, consumers, innovators and the technology industry.
For further information: www.digitalhealth.gov.au.
The Australian Digital Health Agency is a statutory authority in the form of a corporate Commonwealth entity.
Media release - Dr Malcolm Thatcher appointed as new Chief Technology Officer (PDF, 201.64 KB)