Helen McArdle has been announced as the new president of Tasmania's Australian Medical Association branch.
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The first female in the role, Dr McArdle will replace outgoing president John Burgess.
"Dr McArdle brings to the role a diverse range of skills and experience, including both medical practice, and medical and Board administration," Professor Burgess said.
"I have no doubt AMA Tasmania and its Board look forward to working with Helen in a post-COVID-19 environment."
Dr McArdle has been an AMA state representative member of the Federal Council since 2014, advocating to improve the representation of women, international medical graduates and other minority groups within the AMA.
With a focus on serving the professional needs of medical practitioners throughout the state, Dr McArdle said Tasmania needed a cohesive health plan.
"Tasmanians deserve high quality, accessible public health services, and political parties must support long-term strategies that focus on this outcome," she said.
"Healthcare staff must be supported in delivering frontline care, and we will continue to work hand in hand with the state government and Department of Health on building strategies for our public hospitals and community health services.
"Now more than ever considering COVID-19 a cohesive and comprehensive health plan is essential for our state that encompasses the acute and primary health sectors firmly placing GPs at the centre of patient care.
"The only way we are going to be able to manage increasing demand on our hospitals is if we do more in the preventative health space to help Tasmanians not become ill with chronic diseases, as well as provide more care for patients in the community."
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