17 January 2020

Hepatitis Australia has appointed Associate Professor Grant Phelps as its new President, after Felicity McNeill PSM stepped down from the role in November last year.

Grant worked for many years as a Gastroenterologist, establishing Victoria’s first regionally based liver clinic in Ballarat.  More recently he has moved to healthcare management, leadership and consulting roles at organisational and system levels with a focus on clinical leadership for safe, high quality care. 

On his appointment Grant said, “I’m excited about leading the Board of Hepatitis Australia, recognising that much good work has been done to change how we treat and support people with hepatitis C, but that much remains to be done, particularly for people with hepatitis B.”

Grant has an academic appointment at Deakin University as Associate Professor of Clinical Leadership, believing that clinicians must work together with their patients and community to lead continual improvements in healthcare services.

Grant also brings significant governance, management and leadership experience to this role. He looks forward to supporting the ongoing development of Hepatitis Australia as the national peak body, while also ensuring the organisation continues to work effectively with its stakeholders and jurisdictional members.

“I would like to acknowledge the work of Helen Tyrrell, the retiring CEO of Hepatitis Australia, who has contributed immensely over many years, and I look forward to working with a new CEO as Hepatitis Australia makes this important appointment in the coming months."

Grant’s familiarity with all aspects of the health system will be highly beneficial to the work Hepatitis Australia is looking to undertake over the next couple of years. He will be a valuable asset as the organisation continues to push for greater uptake of hepatitis C cures and forges an effective community level response to hepatitis B in Australia.

Hepatitis Australia acknowledges and thanks Felicity McNeill for her leadership and important contributions made during 2018 and 2019. Felicity’s passion and insights into Australia’s health system, particularly the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, have been invaluable and have facilitated effective, ongoing relationships with government.

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Kevin Marriott – Director of Programs and Communications

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