APNA boss stands down

The Australian Primary Health Care Nurses Association (APNA) is on the hunt for a new CEO following the resignation of longstanding chief executive Kathy Bell.

In announcing Bell’s resignation yesterday, APNA president Karen Booth praised the outgoing CEO’s leadership over two and a half years saying she had been a key advocate for the profession during her time at the helm.

“It is with sadness but with understanding we, the APNA Board, fully support Kathy’s decision to make an important work-life decision to spend more time with family,” Booth said.

“Kathy has provided strong leadership through a period of significant growth and extensive change.

“She has been instrumental in APNA’s strategic positioning, strengthening our relationships with government and stakeholders, while increasing member value and actively lobbying for their interests. This has positioned us to truly champion our vision of a healthy Australia through best practice primary health care nursing.”

Both added that Bell had been instrumental in the association’s efforts to advance the role of primary health care nurses by commencing the development of an education and career framework for nurses in general practice.

“Kathy leaves APNA with a strong and capable APNA team, well able to continue this important work in 2015,” Booth said.

She added that the search for a new CEO was already under way with a replacement to be appointed once an ideal candidate had been identified.