ACN appoints Dr Kathryn Zeitz as CEO

The Australian College of Nursing (ACN) has appointed Dr Kathryn Zeitz FACN as its new CEO, commencing late September 2024.

Zeitz is currently the Deputy CEO of the Central Adelaide Local Health Network, where she has led the Clinical Governance portfolio since 2019. Central Adelaide Local Health Network is South Australia’s largest network, incorporating the Royal Adelaide Hospital and The Queen Elizabeth Hospital.

The announcement was made at the ACN National Nursing Forum (NNF) in Cairns.

Zeitz started her nursing career in Accident and Emergency at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide after graduating from Flinders University. Her extensive acute hospital operational management background has included many roles within Central Adelaide Local Health Network and at St Vincent’s Health Network in Sydney.

She successfully completed her PhD thesis in clinical nursing at the University of Adelaide in 2003, and has contributed to nearly 50 peer-reviewed publications from her research interests, which include mass gathering medicine, acute hospital capacity management, and patient-centred care.

Zeitz is an Adjunct Associate Professor with Flinders University and an Adjunct Professor at The University of Adelaide. Since 2017, she has been a nursing representative on the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority Clinical Advisory Committee.

Outside her professional roles, Zeitz is dedicated to community service. She has previously been the Chair of Variety SA and a Board Director for Variety Australia, for which she was awarded Life Membership in 2021.

She is a longstanding volunteer and leader within St John Ambulance Australia, where she is currently a Board Director. Zeitz is also a Fellow of CRANAplus, the peak professional body for remote health, and was a Board Director from 2011–2017.

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