Community & Business
13 September, 2021
Merrilyn Strohfeldt retires as CEO
Darling Downs and West Moreton PHN CEO, Mount Molar resident Merrilyn Strohfeldt has announced she will retire at the end of 2021 after a four-year tenure.
As CEO, Ms Strohfeldt ensured millions of dollars were invested into primary health care in the Darling Downs and West Moreton region to make a difference for some of the most vulnerable people in the community.
Since 2018 she has been instrumental in steering the organisation through a number of major challenges and milestones.
This includes reforming mental health care services funded by the organisation to the national stepped care agenda, leading the organisation’s response to communities impacted by drought and bushfires and overseeing the commissioning of over
$123 million in primary health care services.
“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with stakeholders and the community over the past four years to implement local solutions that make a difference,” Ms Strohfeldt said.
"In this time, we have seen a number of major changes within the health care sector and I could not be prouder to have played a role in ensuring the community has better access to primary health care.”
Ms Strohfeldt has also been responsible for driving the PHN’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic on behalf of the Commonwealth Department of Health, and despite the difficulties posed by the pandemic, said it has been rewarding to see how the health care sector has collectively responded.
“I think all of us have
learnt a lot over the past 18 months as we have responded to what seems like a once in a lifetime event, and one of the most important lessons I believe is that we all need to continue to work together collectively to make the biggest difference,” Ms Strohfeldt said.
“I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Board and the broader PHN team for their support and commitment to the work that we do.
“I look forward to seeing the incredible work of the PHN continued.”
PHN Board Chair Dr Tony Bayliss said the Board has commenced recruitment for a new CEO.
