New Chair, Board Directors for Adelaide PHN

Adelaide PHN welcomed two new Board Directors at its Annual General Meeting on 27 October, with Chair of Board Tom Symonds also completing his time with the organisation and Dr Melanie Smith officially taking over as the new Chair.

Lorraine Sheppard and Mary Patetsos officially began their tenure as non-GP Directors, with Dr Peter Del Fante reappointed as a GP Director for a second term.

Professor Lorraine Sheppard is a health economist, physiotherapist, and governance leader with over 30 years of experience across Australia’s health and not-for-profit sectors. She has held executive and board roles in clinical care, aged care, education, and accreditation, including as Chair of the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Accreditation Council and the Australian Physiotherapy Council.

Lorraine brings deep expertise in primary and allied health, digital innovation, and organisational transformation. A Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD) and Chartered Accountant, she serves on finance, risk, and clinical governance committees and is a strategic contributor to organisations such as the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the Benevolent Society. 

Her work spans clinical excellence, simulation-based assessment, ESG integration, and service growth, underpinned by a commitment to equitable, sustainable healthcare.

Mary Patetsos AM is a professional non-executive director with over 15 years of experience across national and South Australian boards. She possesses expertise in governance, strategy, stakeholder engagement and leadership, particularly within the health, aged care, housing and government sectors.

Mary was appointed to the University Council in 2018, and has since overseen major initiatives, including academic restructuring and the establishment of Adelaide University. In 2024, she was appointed Pro Chancellor of UniSA and serves on several key committees, including Audit, Finance and Risk, Student Appeals, Senior Remuneration and Urgent Business.

She also holds influential roles with various boards and committees, including serving as presiding member of the South Australian Housing Trust, Chairperson of St John’s Ambulance, Non-Executive Director Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) and Director of the Australian Refugee Association and Can: Do for Kids. 

In 2023, Mary was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for her significant service to aged care and the advancement of an inclusive and multicultural Australia.

The AGM was also the last official meeting for outgoing Chair Tom Symonds, having served his third and final term on the Board, with Dr Melanie Smith elected as the new Chair in his place.

Tom first joined Adelaide PHN as an inaugural member of its Central Community Advisory Council, before his appointment as a Board Director in 2016 and then Chair in August 2020.

Reflecting on his time at Adelaide PHN, Tom said, “It has been my privilege to serve the Adelaide PHN over the last 10 years, with the last five as its Chair. I want to pay tribute and thank all the staff, advisory members and partners of the Adelaide PHN for all that has been achieved over that time.

“The Adelaide PHN is driven by the needs of its community. It’s now an organisation where people feel valued and safe in their work, and a trusted organisation that makes partnership for purpose easy.

“We have come a long way on the journey of making a real difference to the health and wellbeing of our community through true collaboration, innovation and above all, our humanity. 

“I think this journey will continue. Thank you.”

New Chair Dr Melanie Smith is currently serving her second term on the Board after being appointed in October 2021, and has held the role of Deputy Chair since 2024. She is an associate contractor GP at Chandlers Hill Surgery and is also the Deputy Chair of the SA/NT Faculty for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP).

Melanie is the Co-Clinical Lead, SA Virtual Care Service, a member of the South Australian Health Performance Council, Australian Institute of Digital Health SA Branch Committee, and the CEIH Urgent and Emergent Care Clinical Network.

Adelaide PHN would like to thank Tom for his outstanding contribution to our organisation and we look forward to this next chapter under Melanie’s leadership as Chair.