Consumers Health Forum appoints Dr Elizabeth Deveny as interim CEO

Consumers Health Forum of Australia has appointed Dr Elizabeth Deveny as its interim Chief Executive Officer starting 22 August 2022.

Deveny will lead CHF during the next few months while an executive search for a new ongoing CEO is undertaken. She brings a digital lens and a keen understanding of disadvantage to her work. By amplifying the voices of health consumers, Deveny will lead CHF’s work in improving the health and wellbeing outcomes for all Australians.

“It’s with much enthusiasm that I take up the role of interim Chief Executive Officer at CHF — Australia’s leading advocate on consumer health issues. I’ve been inspired by all that Leanne Wells and her team have achieved and I look forward to advancing the patient-first agenda during my time in this role,” she said.

Deveny has deep expertise in the health, government and digital sectors, with success in innovative policy development and implementation, holds a Master of Education and has completed a Doctor of Philosophy on the topic of clinical decision-making at the University of Melbourne. Deveny most recently worked as a Special Advisor in the Commonwealth Department of Health and Ageing. Before this she served as the CEO of the South Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network for more than six years.

CHF Board Chair Tony Lawson said, “The CHF Board is delighted to welcome Elizabeth to the CHF family. Elizabeth takes up the reins at a challenging time as we quickly come to grips with a new government and its health agenda. Her experience in the health sector will be critical to ensure that our vital agenda continues to move forward during this interim period. These past pandemic years have taken their toll on the health of the nation. Now, more than ever, we need to lift up the voices of health consumers to ensure that the Australian health system meets the needs of every citizen.”