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<headline>Beneath the drapes
Dr Vasantha Preetham has been elected unopposed as the President of the RACGP. Dr Preetham has been RACGP Vice President and Chair of the WA Faculty for the past 4 years.
Dr Paul Sprague has stepped down as CEO/Chairman of SKG Radiology after 25 years of service. He will continue with SKG as a radiologist, while Dr Sue Ulreich replaces him as CEO.
Dr James Williams has resigned as Managing Director, Chief Financial Officer, and Company Secretary for biotech company Resonance Health Ltd. Ms Eva Liu replaces him as Company Secretary.
2005 Australian of the Year Dr Fiona Wood has lent her support to the Joondalup Family Health Study, stepping in as medical patron for the initiative.
Perth Lord Mayor Dr Peter Nattrass will be retiring at the end of his current term after thirty years serving on Perth city council.
Mr Melvyn Bridges has joined Meditech Research Ltd as Chairman and Non-executive Director, replacing Mr Robert Stewart, who remains a Non-executive Director. Mr Chris Neal has been appointed as joint Company Secretary with Mr Mark Lester. Ms Tracie Ramsdale has also joined the company's board. Mr Richard Fox and Mr John Papadimitriou have resigned as Non-executive Director and Director respectively.
Dr Robin Lawrence has taken up the role of Acting Executive Director, Princess Margaret Hospital for Children.
Dr Peter Flett has been appointed Acting Chief Executive of the North Metropolitan Area Health Service, effective from the end of July 2006.
Three WA doctors have received Queen's Birthday honours. Dr Guy Livingston Hamilton was named a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for service to people with disabilities, particularly through the development of educational and support services. RACGP Member Dr Robert Ronald Hutchison received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to medicine as a general practitioner in the Northampton area and through the provision of clinical education for health care professionals and students. Dr Ralph Ten Seldam, also received a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for service to medicine as a general practitioner and through involvement in training and continuing education programs.
Dr Moira Sim has been appointed the New GP Liaison Officer at Osborne Park Hospital.
Dr Tony Hochberg joins Prime Health Group as medical director. Dr Hochberg previously worked with the NZ government on pandemic planning for Avian Influenza.
Meekatharra nurse Therese Edwards has been awarded the 2006 Nursing and Midwifery Excellence Award for the Rural and Remote Enrolled Nurse of the Year. The awards, run by the Nurses Board of Western Australia, recognise excellence within the nursing and midwifery and acknowledge the contribution to the WA community.
Ms Karen Brown has been named Company Secretary for Advance Healthcare Group.
WA's Eastland Medical Systems is to buy out Westcoast Surgical & Medical Supplies ($850,000 cash plus 5.67 million Eastland shares), including all assets and a $0.4m liability. Westcoast founder Mr Craig Inglis will remain as Managing Director.
Mr Peter Boyne returns to Western Diagnostic Pathology as State Manager (WA & NT) under the new MayneHealth spin-off company Symbion Health Ltd. Peter has spent time with Clinipath, Accord Pathology, and Russell Pathology (all subject to takeovers).