Health Minister Roger Cook has welcomed the appointment of Dr Rosanna Capolingua as the new chairperson of the Child and Adolescent Health Service (CAHS) Board.
Dr Capolingua will replace Debbie Karasinski AM following her resignation on May 12, 2021. Professor Geoffrey Dobb, who has been acting in the chairperson role, remains on the CAHS Board in his usual role of deputy chairperson.
In a long and distinguished career spanning almost 40 years, Dr Capolingua has made a major contribution to the Australian health care system working in both the public and private sectors.
She is a highly experienced board member who has held a range of senior leadership roles, and worked in education, research, safety and quality, regulation, and as a clinician, including at Floreat Medical where she has been the Practice Principal since 2002.
Earlier in her career, Dr Capolingua became the youngest appointed (and only female) President and Chair of the Australian Medical Association (WA). She then went on to become the Federal AMA President and Chair where she amongst many other things helped develop the concept of the Medicare Safety Net, which was later implemented by the Federal Government. The safety net continues to limit out of pocket costs for Australians to an annual threshold.
Dr Capolingua has a special interest in safety and quality and is regarded as a leader in implementing Clinical Governance. She currently chairs the Patient Safety and Clinical Excellence Committee for St John of God Health Care (Australia) and sits on the organisation's national board. In her time on the Board of the North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS), she was also the inaugural chairperson of the NMHS Clinical Quality and Safety Committee.
Motivated to improve organisational performance, Dr Capolingua is skilled in overseeing change in large and complex organisations. She is passionate about healthcare and achieving positive outcomes, and firmly believes people and culture are integral to this.
The Minister thanked outgoing chairperson Debbie Karasinski AM and acting chairperson Professor Geoffrey Dobb for their contribution.
As stated by Health Minister Roger Cook:
"In a distinguished career spanning almost four decades, Rosanna has made a major contribution to the Australian healthcare system, and we are very fortunate she has agreed to take on this important role.
"I have no doubt that Rosanna is the right person for the job. She brings with her a wealth of experience, and she is well respected by her peers and by the community at large.
"I think Rosanna will do a great job. I congratulate her and look forward to working with her to address current challenges, and at the same time support the patients and staff in our world-class children's hospital.
"I would like to thank the outgoing chairperson Debbie Karasinski for her work. I would also like to thank acting chairperson Professor Geoffrey Dobb for his contribution, he has done an outstanding job in difficult circumstances."
