20 January 2022
WentWest, the Western Sydney Primary Health Network (WSPHN), welcomes Dr Paul Nicolarakis to our Senior Executive team as our inaugural Chief Data Officer (CDO).
Applying health and social care system intelligence to support commissioning, drive continuous quality improvement, and demonstrate valuable outcomes is crucial to building healthier communities. This role will focus on developing and implementing a new information strategy covering data governance and infrastructure while further expanding our internal data and insights capability to support evolving digital transformation.
Paul brings more than 20 years of private and public sector experience in national and international health care analytics and digital health, with time spent leading local startups such as Lorica Health and gaining international exposure as a clinical lead at Microsoft’s Health Solutions Group. Most recently, Paul has supported public sector efforts as the Department of Veterans’ Affairs inaugural Chief Data Officer.
“The addition of this position to the WentWest Senior Executive team demonstrates our commitment to driving health data reform in our region and supporting the PHN Program across NSW and Australia,” said Mr Ray Messom, CEO of WentWest.
“It is a testament to the longstanding success of our Health Intelligence Unit (HIU) and WentWest’s leadership in the secure and respectful use of sensitive health data to inform the coordination, integration and commissioning of care services and in support of our role as a primary care steward driving innovation and reform.
We are incredibly excited to have Paul join the WentWest Executive team as Chief Data Officer to help lead a new era of data and digital transformation in Western Sydney.”
Speaking of his new position, Dr Paul Nicolarakis said, “I am excited about the opportunity to join WentWest, an organisation I have been following with interest for many years.
I am passionate about applying my skills and experience from across health care, technology and analytics to advance the use of data in supporting the health and wellbeing of the Western Sydney community and beyond. Working collaboratively with NSW Health and Commonwealth partners, we can drive data-driven, value-based care that improves the lives of individuals, families and the wider community – what better place to do this than WentWest. WentWest’s ambitions for the future of Western Sydney’s health system are truly inspiring.”
Paul began his role on 12 January 2022.