Full Name
Emeritus Professor Christine Bennett AO
Job Title
Non-executive, Independent Director
Company
Sonic Healthcare
Speaker Bio
Emeritus Professor Christine Bennett AO is a company director, strategist and corporate advisor across the health and aged care sectors. She has was formerly the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Enterprise and Partnerships (2020-2021) and the Dean, School of Medicine, Sydney (2011-2021) at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
Christine is a specialist paediatrician and has over 40 years of health industry experience in clinical care and governance, strategic planning and health policy, commercial and investment advice, medical education and research and has held chief executive roles in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
An experienced non-executive director in publicly listed, private and social enterprises, Christine’s current roles include, Non-Executive Director of Sonic Healthcare (ASX-listed and Regis Health Care Limited (an ASX-listed aged care provider), Patron of Research Australia, Independent Advisor for the Australian Council of Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health (ACSALDH) and the Digital Health Co-operative Research Centre, and Co-convenor of the Champions of Change Coalition STEM&Health Group.
Professor Bennett’s previous roles have included Non-Executive Director of Telstra Health (2020-2022), Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Digital Health Co-operative Research Centre (May 2018 to June 2020), Chair of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (2012 to 2019); Group Executive and Chief Medical Officer for MBF Ltd and then Bupa Australia; CEO and then Chair of Research Australia (2002 to 2014); Non-Executive Director, ICON Ltd (2012 to 2015); Non-Executive Director, HeartWare Inc (ASX and NASDAQ listed medical device company - 2004 to 2012), Deputy Chair Neurosciences Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders; Partner for Health and Life Sciences at KPMG (2000 – 2002); and CEO of Westmead Hospital and Health Services (1996-2000).
Through her varied career Professor Bennett has deep experience in leadership and governance; developing and implementing public policy; establishing clinical governance systems; advancing data science and digital technologies in health; facilitating research, development and commercialisation; and higher education and professional training. She has a developing interest in AI ethics and applied AI research including co-authorship of five peer-reviewed journal publications and a book chapter on the ethics of Computational Neurosurgery, and completed certification in AI Ethics and Board Oversight in May 2024. She also has a keen interest in consumer empowered health care and participation in research. She has been an ambassador for Osteoporosis Australia and has led community and consumer consultations with particular interest in mental health, aged care and child health.
In February 2008, Professor Bennett was appointed as Chair of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission providing advice on a long-term blue print for the future of the Australian health system and aged care. The Commission’s final report was presented to Government in June 2009 and continues to inform health reform in Australia.
Professor Bennett was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014. The Award recognises Professor Bennett’s distinguished service to medicine and health care leadership, as a clinician, researcher and educator, particularly in the fields of child and family health, and social policy.
Christine is a specialist paediatrician and has over 40 years of health industry experience in clinical care and governance, strategic planning and health policy, commercial and investment advice, medical education and research and has held chief executive roles in the public, private and not-for-profit sectors.
An experienced non-executive director in publicly listed, private and social enterprises, Christine’s current roles include, Non-Executive Director of Sonic Healthcare (ASX-listed and Regis Health Care Limited (an ASX-listed aged care provider), Patron of Research Australia, Independent Advisor for the Australian Council of Senior Academic Leaders in Digital Health (ACSALDH) and the Digital Health Co-operative Research Centre, and Co-convenor of the Champions of Change Coalition STEM&Health Group.
Professor Bennett’s previous roles have included Non-Executive Director of Telstra Health (2020-2022), Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Digital Health Co-operative Research Centre (May 2018 to June 2020), Chair of the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network (2012 to 2019); Group Executive and Chief Medical Officer for MBF Ltd and then Bupa Australia; CEO and then Chair of Research Australia (2002 to 2014); Non-Executive Director, ICON Ltd (2012 to 2015); Non-Executive Director, HeartWare Inc (ASX and NASDAQ listed medical device company - 2004 to 2012), Deputy Chair Neurosciences Institute of Schizophrenia and Allied Disorders; Partner for Health and Life Sciences at KPMG (2000 – 2002); and CEO of Westmead Hospital and Health Services (1996-2000).
Through her varied career Professor Bennett has deep experience in leadership and governance; developing and implementing public policy; establishing clinical governance systems; advancing data science and digital technologies in health; facilitating research, development and commercialisation; and higher education and professional training. She has a developing interest in AI ethics and applied AI research including co-authorship of five peer-reviewed journal publications and a book chapter on the ethics of Computational Neurosurgery, and completed certification in AI Ethics and Board Oversight in May 2024. She also has a keen interest in consumer empowered health care and participation in research. She has been an ambassador for Osteoporosis Australia and has led community and consumer consultations with particular interest in mental health, aged care and child health.
In February 2008, Professor Bennett was appointed as Chair of the National Health and Hospitals Reform Commission providing advice on a long-term blue print for the future of the Australian health system and aged care. The Commission’s final report was presented to Government in June 2009 and continues to inform health reform in Australia.
Professor Bennett was awarded an Officer of the Order of Australia (AO) in 2014. The Award recognises Professor Bennett’s distinguished service to medicine and health care leadership, as a clinician, researcher and educator, particularly in the fields of child and family health, and social policy.
Speaking At
