By Jackson Russell
AFTER almost five years in the job, The Kilmore and District Hospital chief executive Sue Race is leaving the hospital to take up a chief executive position with Castlemaine Health.
Ms Race will see the year out in Kilmore before starting her new role in January next year.
Ms Race said these opportunities were rare and her decision was more about a lifestyle change.
“I’ve living between Kilmore and Melbourne for five years now and my husband Peter and I want to buy a property out that way,” she said.
“I think it’s a good time for the organisation; we have a fantastic leadership team and we’ve got a really engaged board of directors.
“We’re also very close to launching our new strategic plan and rebranding so the next CEO will have a really clear direction both the board and Department of Health Human Services have signed up to.”
During her time at the hospital, Ms Race was instrumental in the hospital’s development, including undertaking a governance revamp, maternity program review and a refurbishment of the Caladenia Nursing Home.
Ms Race said she was most proud of the team she helped build at The Kilmore and District Hospital.
“We’ve got a terrific team with a positive culture. We’ve got a really strong value-based culture that really prioritises patient and resident safety and experience,” she said.
“The other one is our clinical governance model which is really strong particularly around our focus on patient safety.
“We won an award for our clinical governance in 2017 from the Victorian Healthcare Association and we also won an award for our positive workplace culture in 2019 in the Victorian Public Healthcare Awards.”
The Kilmore and District Hospital board chair Kathryn Harris said Ms Race’s leadership during the COVID-19 pandemic had been admirable.
“During what has been a very stressful, unknown and ever-changing situation, Sue has led with compassion, understanding and adaptiveness,” she said.
“On behalf of the Board and Executive team, I would like to acknowledge Sue’s incredible achievements at TKDH and thank her for her passion, devotion and dedication during her time here.
“Sue has an incredible work ethic, leads by example and is a passionate ambassador for the organisation. We wish Sue every success in her new role and know she will remain a friend to many at TKDH.”
Ms Race encouraged the Kilmore community to remain involved with the hospital.
“The hospital is a big part of the community, but the community is a big part of the hospital so it’s an equal partnership,” she said.
“I’m sad to leave, I’ve made some really good friends and it’s a fantastic place to work.”
