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RACS executive leadership team and portfolios

RACS has a structure of four portfolios under the chief executive officer: Fellowship Engagement, Education, Operations and People and Culture with each managed by an executive leader.

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Chief Executive Officer

John Biviano was appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in April 2019. He was previously the Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Executive General Manager of the Fellowship Services and Standards portfolio. 

John has over 30 years’ experience working in the health sector, including working in medical colleges, hospitals and in government. For the past 12 years he has worked in senior executive roles in two of the largest specialist medical colleges in Australasia, with expertise in leadership, strategic policy development, professional standards, and government relations.

While at RACS he has had major involvement in the development and implementation of various sustainability in healthcare initiatives, the indigenous health strategy, and the Building Respect Improving Patient Safety Action Plan. He holds a Bachelor of Applied Science, a Masters in Management, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Managers and Leaders and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Email: CEO.RACS@surgeons.org
Phone: +61 3 9249 1205

College Transformation

Sendur Kathir, Executive General Manager, College Transformation

Sendur Kathir was appointed Executive General Manager, College Transformation in July 2022. He joined RACS initially in 2021 as Head of Digital Services.

Sendur

Sendur has more than 30 years of experience in executive management in the fields of IT, finance, risk, marketing, communications, HR and procurement. He has undertaken several transformation initiatives in the private and public sectors.
 
Sendur has a multi-disciplinary background including management consulting at PriceWaterhouse Coopers, executive leadership positions at the University of Melbourne and involvement in several start-ups. Sendur has served on several Boards including serving on Audit and Risk, Remuneration and HR committee.

Sendur is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD), holds an MBA from Monash University and received formal education in ethical leadership at the Vincent Fairfax Institute for Ethical Leadership. 

Finance and Support Services

Dominic Chila, Executive General Manager, Finance and Support Services

Dominic Chila was appointed Executive General Manager Finance and Support Services in July 2022. He joined RACS in 2021 initially as the Head of Finance and Risk.

Dom

Dominic has more than 25 years of experience in the financial services industry in the areas of general insurance, superannuation and funds management.He is also experienced in the fields of finance, audit, governance, risk, legal and finance transformations.

Dominic has held various executive and leadership roles including that of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Risk Officer and Company Secretary. He has extensive experience working at member-based and not-for profit organisations including Catholic Church Insurance Limited, National Catholic Super Fund and CCI Asset Management.

Dominic is a fellow of the Australian Society of CPA’s and a Chartered Secretary. As EGM Finance and Support Services, Dominic will focus on Financial Services, Risk Management, Contract Management, Procurement, Internal Services and RACS’ Foundation for Surgery.

Education Development and Delivery

Tamsin Garrod, Executive General Manager, Education Development and Delivery

Tamsin

Tamsin Garrod has a PhD and a Master of Business Administration. She started her career in academia, both researching and teaching in the field of medical research and has a strong academic track record.

Tamsin then joined RACS in 2014, and has been fortunate to work across the College, starting in Research, Audit and Academic Surgery and then moving over to Education. Tamsin has a vast amount of knowledge of and respect for the College and its purpose. Tamsin also has experience as a company director and as a committee member across medical and membership organisations. 

Education Partnerships

Christine Cook, Executive General Manager, Education Partnerships

Christine Cook was appointed EGM Education Partnerships in January 2022. Christine has over 25 years of business experience, comprising 14 years of experience in the healthcare sector and comes from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners where she was General Manager, Fellowship Pathways, responsible for the development of a new RACGP general practice training program. She was previously the CEO of GPEx, the South Australian GP training delivery organisation and comes with extensive knowledge in medical education and in developing trusted relationships with key stakeholders such as the Department of Health, ACRRM, AIDA, RDAA.

As EGM Education Partnerships Christine will focus on training, and on the College’s relationship with specialty societies and specialty training boards, along with being responsible for the Surgical Education and Training Program, education governance, the Reconsideration, Review and Appeal (RRA) process, and Specialist International Medical Graduates (SIMG). 

Fellowship Engagement

Incorporating the Australian states, territories and New Zealand offices, the Fellowship Engagement portfolio leads and oversees the maintenance and improvement of surgical standards, including continuing professional development for Fellows, and a range of other fellowship engagement activities that benefit Fellows. It also promotes professionalism and standards through communication and advocacy with government and relevant stakeholders.

The portfolio includes Fellowship Services; Professional Standards; Policy & Advocacy; Research, Audit & Academic Surgery (RAAS); State, Territory and New Zealand offices (STANZ) and the Library. 

Etienne Scheepers was appointed to the position of Executive General Manager – Fellowship Engagement in September 2019.  Etienne is a highly experienced leader who has held senior roles such as Chief Operating Officer (COO), Deputy Chief Executive and Executive Director in the government and the not-for-profit sectors. 

Etienne previously worked in New Zealand at the Waikato and Lakes District Health Boards as well as the South Australian Department of Health, Health Workforce Australia, the South Australian Department for Education and Child Development, and the Department for Child Protection. 

Etienne has extensive experience in health workforce reform and while he was at Health Workforce Australia he developed and implemented a national program of health workforce innovation and reform.

Email: Etienne.Scheepers@surgeons.org
Phone: +61 3 9249 1289