The Pharmacy Guild of Australia National President, Professor Trent Twomey has today announced that Suzanne Greenwood has given notice that she is resigning as Executive Director of the Guild after more than four years in the role.
Ms Greenwood joined the Guild in 2019, leading the organisation through a significant period of reform, driving development and implementation of a new strategic plan and restructure of the National Secretariat as the Guild approaches its Centenary in 2027.
From the outset, Ms Greenwood worked to shape an organisation with a clear vision, strong values and an unwavering focus on improving health and wellness outcomes for all Australians through a vibrant community pharmacy sector.
She oversaw negotiations for a 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement, as well as growing the GuildEd RTO for transition to the Australasian College of Pharmacy and the sale of GuildLink to MedAdvisor. Ms Greenwood provided indispensable leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic – which saw community pharmacies provide frontline care to millions of Australians through the roll-out of vaccinations in community pharmacy and initiatives such as the concessional RAT program. "The hope of community pharmacy is not a small ambition – Pharmacy Guild members strive for better health and wellness outcomes for all Australians. I've always been passionate about personal health being at the heart of healthy communities, and so it has been an honour and a privilege to have held the trust of Australia's community pharmacists over my years at the Guild," Ms Greenwood said.
"I'm extremely proud of everything we've achieved, especially our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Community pharmacy stepped up, kept their doors open and were there for patients." "I want to thank the vision-driven and inspirational team at the Guild for their hard work and dedication. A finer, more capable group of colleagues is unimaginable.
"Under the stewardship of Professor Trent Twomey, and immediate past President George Tambassis, I have enjoyed a remarkable chapter in my career and I thank them and all National Councillors deeply for their support and courage through turbulent times.
"I'll be continuing in my role supporting the Guild until late November as we work with the government to navigate a path forward to ensure the viability of community pharmacy in the face of the proposed 60-day dispensing policy.
"I look forward to genuine engagement from the government to negotiate an 8th Community Pharmacy Agreement."
National President Professor Trent Twomey said Ms Greenwood would be much missed by everyone at the Guild. "Suzanne is a class act. She's been the driving force behind so many important reforms for the Guild and, remarkably – even after the pandemic – is leaving the organisation in a stronger position than she found it," Professor Twomey said. "On behalf of everyone at the Guild, and the thousands of community pharmacies we represent, I want to thank Suzanne for all her efforts and wish her all the best for her next chapter."
Past President George Tambassis said Ms Greenwood's contribution to community pharmacies across Australia was significant, personally making a difference to so many people.
"Suzanne worked tirelessly to support pharmacies and patients through some of the most difficult days of the COVID pandemic all the while overseeing the negotiations for the 7th Community Pharmacy Agreement," said Mr Tambassis.
"Throughout her time working at the Guild she showed a passion and understanding of the challenges and opportunities pharmacists bring to the health system, and I'm proud of all the things we achieved together."
Ms Greenwood will finish with the Guild on 24 November 2023.
In the coming weeks, the Guild will take steps to commence an extensive executive search process to find Ms Greenwood's replacement.
Suzanne Greenwood with past and present national presidents. (L-R) Colin Johns, John Bronger, Kos Sclavos, George Tambassia and current president Trent Twomey
I'm extremely proud of everything we've achieved, especially our response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Community pharmacy stepped up, kept their doors open and were there for patients.
Suzanne Greenwood - Executive Director, Pharmacy Guild of Australia
Throughout her time working at the Guild she showed a passion and understanding of the challenges and opportunities pharmacists bring to the health system, and I'm proud of all the things we achieved together.
Professor Trent Twomey - National President, Pharmacy Guild of Australia
