The Australian Medical Council (AMC), an independent national standards body for medical education and training, has appointed Mr Philip Pigou as its new Chief Executive Officer.
Mr Pigou has been involved in medial regulation, accreditation and education in New Zealand over many years. He has been CEO of the MCNZ since 2005 and held other senior leadership roles in the health sector in New Zealand over 20 years.
AMC President, Associate Professor Jillian Sewell AM, described Mr Pigou as a long-term friend of the AMC.
"Mr Pigou's insight into indigenous health issues through his work with Maori and Pacific Island people, as well as his understanding of change and project management, strategy development, and leadership will be invaluable in the next, new chapter for the AMC", Associate Professor Sewell said.
"His collaborative approach and commitment to strengthening the AMC as a values-based and innovative organisation will underpin our future work", she said.
AMC Directors thanked Mr Frank for his remarkable contribution to the AMC over nearly three decades. Mr Frank joined the AMC in 1988 and has been Chief Executive since 1991. Under his leadership, the AMC has grown into an internationally recognised assessment, accreditation and standards setting body.
Under Mr Frank's leadership, the AMC has:
- Secured a reputation as a world leader in medical education and accrediation
- Transformed and modernised the assessment of international medical graduates, including by establishing the world-class Vernon Marshal National Test Centre in Melbourne
- Strengthened the accreditation capability of the AMC so it now accredits 126 primary and specialist medical programs offered by 37 education providers across Australia and New Zealand
- Ensured the voice of the community is heard on every AMC committee and all AMC-sponsored or auspiced projects and
- Started a dialogue with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to ensure the AMC makes the most meaningful and substanial contribution it can to improving indigenous health Australia-wide.
Associate Professor Sewell said AMC Directors looked forward to working with Mr Pigou to meet the challenges ahead for the AMC.
"Our combined commitment is to ensure that standards of education, training and assessment of the medical professional promote and protect the health of the Australian commnity," she said.
