The AMA (WA) has a new president, after Dr Kyle Hoath was elected for a two-year term at the association’s recent annual general meeting.
The psychiatrist and chief medical officer and co-founder of wellbeing medical technology company Oqea succeeds Dr Michael Page who has been in the role for the past two years.
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Dr Hoath (38), who has been the association’s WA Vice President for the past year, said he was honoured to take on the role and looked forward to working alongside the AMA team and fellow councillors.
He aims to drive positive change in mental health, medical innovation, and driving value for AMA members.
“Together, we will address key priorities such as improving the mental health of our medical workforce, expanding access to quality healthcare, and strengthening the voice of the AMA (WA) in policy discussions.”
Dr Hoath told Medical Forum that while mental health always plays an important role in the overall wellbeing of the community, “we are facing some pretty significant challenges with mental health care delivery at the moment.”
“I can’t help but bring my experience and passion for mental health and good mental health care into the role,” he said.
Dr Hoath has been on the AMA (WA) board for two years and also has wider interest in the community, chairing both the Board of Basketball WA and the Fremantle Language Development Centre.
He recognised the work done by Dr Page across the past couple of years and thanked him for his leadership and support.
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Dr Hoath graduated from the University of WA in 2010, is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, as well as an Adjunct Senior Lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame.
Also elected at the annual general meeting were Dr Natalie Ferrington, a doctor in training, and GP Dr Andrew P’ng, who were elected as Vice Presidents for two-year terms.
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