Avant Foundation Board Members

Dr Michael Wright is a general practitioner (GP), health economics and health services researcher, experienced board director and health systems leader with a range of clinical, organisational and governance skills. Dr Wright is based in Sydney where he has strategic appointments as the Chief Medical Officer with Avant Mutual and Board Chair of Central and Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network. Dr Wright works part time in general practice in Woollahra and is a researcher at the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). Dr Wright is a strong advocate for improving safety and quality in health care, and his research interests include the impact of continuity of care on the primary care performance, improving collaboration between health care providers, the development of doctors as leader, and use of financial incentives to improve quality and sustainability of the health system.

Dr. Matthew Doane is a dual-boarded and internationally trained Anaesthetist who is a of Diplomate of the American Board of Anesthesiology and Fellow of ANZCA. He works full-time as a Staff Specialist in the Department of Anaesthesia at the Royal North Shore Hospital and a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Sydney Medical School. Dr Doane has a strong interest in Clinical Research and Education.

Associate Professor Chris Milross is a Radiation Oncologist and Head of Department at The Chris O’Brien Lifehouse in Sydney. A graduate of UNSW Chris trained at The Prince of Wales Hospital, and at The MD Anderson Cancer Center in Texas. Clinically Chris practices predominantly in Head and Neck and Gynaecological Oncology. Chris is an Associate Professor in the Central Clinical School at Sydney University, and has research interests in cancer clinical trials, cancer communication, and cancer service planning. Chris is a member of the Chris O’Brien Lifehouse Hospital Executive Committee, he has previously been Dean of The Faculty of Radiation Oncology, and President of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Radiologists. Currently Chris sits on the Cancer Australia Advisory Council.

Kim Oates is a paediatrician with long-standing clinical and research interests in child development, child behaviour, child protection and advocacy. He was the Foundation Douglas Burrows Professor of Paediatrics and Child Health, at the University of Sydney and was Chief Executive of the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. He has received a range of national and international awards and named lectureships, has written 15 books and over 300 published articles. An Emeritus Professor at the University of Sydney, he has co-led courses for future health leaders in Vietnam. He established the Australian Academy for Emerging Leaders in Patient Safety where young clinicians meet with national and international experts to share ideas about improving the quality of patient care. In 2018 he was elected as one of 30 Founding Members of International Academy of Quality and Safety.

Professor Phelps worked for over 20 years as a Gastroenterologist and Physician in regional Victoria. He trained in quality improvement at Intermountain Healthcare in the US and has held major management and leadership roles at organisational and jurisdictional level in a number of states. Grant has had national policy roles in safety and quality and has been a Director of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and was President of the Adult Division of the College from 2016-2018. He is President and Chair of Hepatitis Australia and a Director of Rural Workforce Agency Victoria and chairs a major Victorian sporting organisation. He has an academic appointment with an interest in Clinical Leadership and Clinical Quality with Deakin Uni and works as an independent consultant providing advice to hospitals and organisations on clinical leadership and safety and quality.

Associate Professor Beverley Rowbotham is the Chairman of the Avant Mutual Group. She is a Director of AMGL, AGHL, AIL and DHF. She is a haematologist, with a long-standing interest in quality and safety and chairs the National Pathology Accreditation Advisory Committee. She chaired AMA Federal Council for five years, and is a past President of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia. Dr Rowbotham is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is also a Director of AEIOU Foundation for children with autism, and Bolton Clarke, an aged care provider.