A $7.5 million philanthropic donation from Dennis Bastas, CEO of DGB Health, will establish a new Health Leadership academy to address critical leadership and workforce challenges facing the global health sector.
The Bastas Academy for Health Leadership – an innovative cross-disciplinary partnership between the University of Melbourne's Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences and Melbourne Business School – will provide world-class leadership development programs to upskill and empower health professionals to drive innovation, collaboration and excellence across the industry.
The establishment of the Academy responds to urgent needs for transformation in healthcare systems globally. In Australia, revitalising the 40-year-old Medicare system, enhancing primary care, and reducing strain on hospitals requires implementing wide-scale, system-wide changes that demand innovative solutions such as adopting new technologies, building new cross-sector partnerships, and pioneering new models of care delivery.
To drive reforms of this scale and complexity, exceptional leadership capabilities across governance, strategy and change management are needed. However, chronic under-investment in leadership development across the public and private health systems has diminished those critical capabilities.
Mr Bastas, who leads Australia's largest diversified pharmaceutical, health and wellness business said: "The healthcare industry is at an inflection point and in desperate need of fresh leadership to drive meaningful change.
"I'm proud to help establish this Academy. The Academy will provide opportunities for emerging health leaders from diverse backgrounds as well as to upskill the sector's workforce with an innovative approach to confronting complex health issues. Empowering this talent pipeline is key to a healthier future and stronger health system within both Victoria and Australia."
In addition to the educational pathways, the Bastas Academy for Health Leadership will foster an ecosystem for health sector innovation, ensuring that Australia remains actively engaged in better outcomes for all.
"Not all health professionals begin their career with the intention of becoming a leader. Yet, leadership is vital at all levels of the health sector," said Dean of the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences Professor Jane Gunn AO.
"The capabilities and knowledge required for effective leadership in healthcare, such as strategic thinking, collaboration, communication, financial management, change management and innovation, are often undervalued compared to technical and academic competencies. That is why we're partnering with Melbourne Business School to deliver this initiative."
Three flagship pathways will be offered to healthcare professionals: Leading in Health, Leading Complex Health Systems, and Innovating for the Future of Health. These will equip participants with core leadership skills, the ability to navigate complex health environments, cultivate innovative solutions, and implement systemic change.
The donation, announced at an event at Melbourne Business School, will fund fellowships for aspiring leaders in the health sector. Those selected to undertake a fellowship will benefit from mentoring, an alumni network and extensive professional development.
"Health leadership requires not just medical expertise, but strategic business capabilities," said Professor Jenny George, Dean of Melbourne Business School.
"Our partnership combines cutting-edge health sciences education with world-class business acumen to equip leaders to tackle healthcare's most pressing commercial, operational and ethical challenges."
The Academy also aims to improve collaboration in the healthcare sector, strengthen the relationship between the public and private sector, break down silos between organisations and build local and global partnerships.
With diverse cohorts of participants from both the public and private sector, the Academy will enable emerging leaders to learn from one another to the create multi-disciplinary networks that drive innovation.
"By creating a network of Academy alumni, we hope to help the sector attract and retain the best talent to innovate and improve health outcomes, " said Professor George.
In addition to his $7.5 million dollar gift, Mr Bastas will contribute $2.5 million in funding towards enabling staff within his company, DBG Health, to undertake training at the Academy.
You can read more about the Academy and courses on the website www.bahl.edu.au
