CEO Monthly August 2017

CEO MONTHLY / AUGUST 2017 9 , Rainleigh (trading as HoldsworthHouseMedical) is a privately-owned group of multi- disciplinarymedical practices which has been running for over 25 years. The company was originally started by a trio of GPs in Sydney, mainly focusing on providing quality primary care for patients in the local area. We spoke to SarahHolland to discuss the company and talk about her winningMedical CEO of the Year 2017 – Australia. Your HealthcareHome in Sydney, Byron Bay and Brisbane Sarah Holland possesses a wealth of knowledge and experience in the medical industry and has worked her way up to the position of CEO. She talks to us about her previous job roles and whether she leans on these experiences when needing to make decisions in her role now as CEO. “Following completion of my BSc I gained a place on the Graduate Management scheme with the NHS in the UK. This provided me with a very thorough grounding in the field of leadership and management as well as allowing me time to complete my MSc in Healthcare, Leadership and Management. Whilst in the UK I worked in the secondary and tertiary healthcare fields managing specialist divisions in large teaching hospitals. During this time, I also took on an additional role working directly for the Department of Health to develop a national eligibility policy and subsequently rolling this out. This required a strong focus on consulting, contract negotiation and liaising across a wider variety of stakeholders, conscious of the political and financial environment. “Each of my past positions has necessitated excellent communication, consulting and relationship management skills. Whilst in the UK I also completed a three-year coaching qualification which has further enhanced my ability to manage and motivate staff, both those who work autonomously and large teams. I feel my strengths lie in strategic review and development; organisational restructure; efficiency targets; change management; and achieving demanding goals.” We asked Sarah how it feels to win this award and what she attributes to this success. Sarah also discusses what difference winning the award might make in terms of future business. “Non-clinical management within the healthcare industry is often overlooked or unnoticed and yet is one of the most crucial aspects of ensuring sustainability, growth, efficiencies, and quality care for patients. I feel very honored to have been considered for this award and I hope that it allows others in both the healthcare and the wider business sectors to gain an awareness of the need for senior leaders within the healthcare field, those who have a wealth of experience in management and leadership who can work with Clinicians to deliver proactive and targeted services.” Discussing the company further, Sarah outlines the work it does and what types of clients and patients the establishment usually deals with. Since starting in her role, the company has opened a third practice in Fortitude Valley as well as relocating its Sydney practice. Sarah is quick to praise her staff, whilst also noting the uniqueness of each practice, ensuring patients feel comfortable when visiting healthcare professionals. “Over the preceding quarter century, the company has vastly expanded, now offering a multitude of Specialist services GCE17039 including one of the largest private Research departments in the country, onsite pathology and nursing services, and a medical education department which runs an annual international sexual health conference. Since I started in the role we have opened a third practice in Fortitude Valley, Brisbane; relocated our Sydney practice to College Street in a state of the art facility complemented by showcasing the private art collections of our Directors; and grown our research department considerably. “In 2013, I began with the firm, initially on a six-month contract to undertake a strategic review of the company and develop a two- year growth plan. Once this was created the Directors offered me the permanent role with a view to rolling this plan out. Over my four years with the company we have undertaken some huge changes and grown the turnover by close to 50%. I have a very strong group of operational managers beneath me heading up each of the three practices which has