Sydney health district CEO Dr Teresa Anderson under scrutiny: What we know

A former speech pathologist who rose to the top of the Sydney Local Health District has faced a vote of no-confidence. Here’s what we know about her.

Sydney Local Health District cheif executive Dr Teresa Anderson (centre) is facing a vote of no-confidence. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Teresa Anderson, the chief executive of the Sydney Local Health District (SLHD), who faced vote of no confidence on Thursday night, is a trained speech pathologist who grew up in country NSW.

More than 60 percent of medical staff from Concord Hospital supported a vote of no confidence in the secret ballot held on Thursday night.

Dr Anderson has been at the helm of the SLHD since 2011 and she has previously said in interviews she has no plans to go anywhere else.

Sydney Local Health District chief executive Dr Teresa Anderson is facing a vote of no confidence. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Bianca De Marchi

A self-confessed believer in “walking meetings” who works long hours, Dr Anderson has said she encourages staff to put forward ideas.

Dr Anderson currently oversees 12,000 staff across five hospitals — Royal Prince Alfred, Concord, Canterbury, Balmain, and Sydney Dental Hospital.

She also has responsibility for the Australian Liver transplant Centre, the state burns unit, sexual and mental health clinics, Aboriginal health programs, drug and alcohol services, mother and baby clinics, and community nurses.

Liverpool Hospital in Sydney, where Dr Anderson has previously held a senior role. Picture: Richard Dobson

After studying at Cumberland College and the University of Sydney, she remained in clinical practice for almost 20 years.

Dr Anderson then moved into health and hospital management. She has held positions as the Director, Clinical Operations, Sydney South West Area Health Service, General Manager, Liverpool Hospital and Director of Community and Allied Health Services for the Liverpool Health Service.

Royal Prince Alfred Hospital is one of five hospitals Dr Anderson oversees.

Dr Anderson is a Vice President and has been made a Fellow of the NSW Institute of Public Administration Australia, is a member of eight Medical Research, Health and PHN boards and is an active member of the Sydney Health Partners Governing Council and Executive Management Group, one of the first four centres in Australia designated by the NHMRC as an Advanced Health Research Translation Centre.

She serves on the boards of the Ingham Institute, Centenary Institute, Heart Research Institute, ANZAC Research Institute and Healthshare, and is also the Chair of the Sydney Research Council.

She is married to Jeremy Wilson, a professor of medicine at the University of NSW and they have two adult sons. In 2018 Dr Anderson was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia (AM).

Originally published as Sydney health district CEO Dr Teresa Anderson under scrutiny: What we know