Melanie Hunt has been appointed the new CEO of the Australasian College of Pharmacy, commencing her role on 29 May 2023.
“We are thrilled to have Melanie join the College to take the lead as the College embarks on an exciting new era and builds on our existing offerings in professional development and training for the pharmacy industry,” says College President, Michelle Bou-Samra.
Ms Hunt joins the College with more than 20 years of experience in regulated training industries.
Most recently, Ms Hunt held the position of CEO of General Practice Training Queensland, where she led the transition of staff, systems and processes of the Australian General Practice Training program.
“Melanie’s extensive experience across regulated training organisations, strategy implementation and business change management will be crucial in guiding the College to become the leading primary provider of pharmacy education in Australia.
“Melanie’s valuable expertise in embedding a member-centric culture will be a huge asset to the College as we continue to focus on our members’ professional development throughout their pharmacy career.”
On behalf of the College Board, Ms Bou-Samra has thanked outgoing interim CEO, Mark Lock.
“I’d like to take this opportunity, on behalf of the College Board, shareholders, and team, to sincerely thank Mark Lock, who stepped in as the College’s interim CEO for the past 12 months during a period of extensive change and growth,” says Ms Bou-Samra.
“Mark made great inroads with the College’s shareholders and wider team laying the foundations for the future success of the College by bringing together the partnership of the College and Guild Learning and Development as one.
“His achievements also include the implementation of a new IT system, growth in CPD enrolments, the medication management review training course for accredited pharmacists and leading the College towards the full scope of practice initiatives.
“We wish Mark all the best for his future endeavours,” she says.
The appointment of Ms Hunt as the new CEO of the College has also been welcomed by the Pharmacy Guild of Australia.
National President of the Pharmacy Guild, Trent Twomey says Ms Hunt brought to the College wide-ranging and relevant experience at an extremely important time for the college and for the whole of the pharmacy profession.
“The profession is undergoing evolutionary changes and the college is leading the way in providing training and education to ensure the pharmacy sector is equipped to meet the challenges and opportunities that these changes present,” says Professor Twomey.
“Ms Hunt brings to the college experience across training organisations, strategy implementation and business change management at this important time.
“Her input and contribution will further cement the college’s position as the pre-eminent provider of pharmacy education and training in Australia.
“In addition, her valuable expertise in embedding a member-centric culture will underpin the college’s commitment to the professional development of those in the sector as they progress throughout their pharmacy career.”
Executive Director of the Pharmacy Guild, Suzanne Greenwood says Ms Hunt’s appointment was an important step in further consolidating the College’s reputation for the delivery of the highest-quality and most-relevant learning opportunities.
“There is a lot happening in the profession at the moment and one of the great strengths of the college is its ability to keep its fingers on the pulse of developments and to translate this skill into the provision of services that are highly valued by its members,” says Ms Greenwood.
“Ms Hunt’s appointment will certainly add strength to the college’s already widely recognised leadership in its field.”
Professor Twomey and Ms Greenwood also thank interim CEO Mr Lock for guiding the college through a period of growth and change over the past 12 months.
