The Chief Executive Officer of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA), Michael Roff, has advised the Association Board he will be stepping down from the position effective Friday 5 July 2024.
Mr Roff has served the Association for the past 30 years, first as Public Affairs Manager in 1994 and was then appointed CEO in March 2000. He has represented the private hospitals sector to to nine different Federal Health Ministers and eight Prime Ministers.
"I have spent half my life and the majority of my professional life with APHA and it has been an honour to represent a sector committed to providing the highest quality health services to millions of Australians each year," Mr Roff said.
"It has been stimulating to work at the intersection of healthcare delivery, policy and politics, and the sector has faced many challenges over the years, not least the COVID-19 pandemic when elective surgery was shut down overnight. However, after 24 years as CEO it is time to move on.
"I want to thank my staff who work tirelessly every day to support the private hospitals sector, the APHA Board who volunteer their time and expertise for the greater good of the sector and our member hospitals for their support over many years."
APHA President Christine Gee AM said it was all but impossible to quantify Mr Roff's contribution to the private hospital sector in just a few paragraphs.
"I have had the good fortune and great pleasure to work with Michael over many years, a number of those as President of APHA. I am sure that the management of our Association could not have been in safer or more capable hands especially over the last few very tumultuous years. He can be very proud of his efforts and achievements for and on behalf of Australia's private hospital system and the healthcare system more broadly.
"Michael is a highly respected advocate and a consummate professional who has dedicated his skills and expertise to representing Australia's private hospitals with the firm focus of ensuring our sector remains in the best position to provide vital and necessary services to the Australian community.
"We are grateful that Michael has offered to assist in the transition to a new CEO on a part-time basis as needed. The Board will undertake an extensive search to find APHA's next CEO.
"The APHA Secretariat continues to offer support to members and to advocate on their behalf to government. This work remains the focus of the organisation and will not be impacted through the transition," she said.
