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Alexandra District Health CEO Jane Poxon announces retirement.

MEDIA RELEASE – Wednesday 11 March 2026

Alexandra District Health (ADH) Chief Executive Officer Jane Poxon has announced she will retire in April, after more than three years leading the health service.
Jane commenced at ADH in December 2022 and after a rewarding career in health is retiring to spend more time with her family, care for her grandchildren, and to pursue interests such as travel, gardening and golf.
“This has been a deeply rewarding role and I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved together,” Mrs Poxon said. “ADH is a special place, with a committed and capable team who care deeply about the health and wellbeing of their community.”
ADH Board Chair Kim Flanagan said Jane had led the health service with integrity and compassion during a period of significant change and opportunity.
“Jane has strengthened ADH in many ways. From restoring financial stability and reinforcing clinical governance, to supporting new partnerships with Eastern Health and other services across the Murrindindi Shire that have already delivered tangible benefits for our community, including local oncology services,” Mr Flanagan said.
“Importantly, she leaves behind a strong and cohesive executive team, a positive culture and a clear focus on delivering safe, high-quality care close to home.”
Mr Flanagan acknowledged that Jane’s announcement comes at a time when the Boards of ADH and Eastern Health have formally recommended a voluntary amalgamation.
“Jane’s decision to retire is entirely personal. The Board respects her decision and thanks her for her dedication to ADH and the community.”
Mr Flanagan said that throughout the voluntary amalgamation exploration process, retaining strong local leadership and local decision-making was a clear priority.
“Our community has been clear about what matters – protecting and strengthening services, retaining our name, ensuring locally raised funds stay local, and maintaining a strong local leadership presence,” he said.
“If a voluntary amalgamation is approved, local leadership will remain in place, and our Community Engagement Committee will continue to play an important role in ensuring community voices inform service planning and decision-making.”

Claire Palmer, ADH Director of Clinical Services, will step into the role of Interim Chief Executive Officer following Jane’s departure.
“Claire is a highly respected and experienced leader who knows ADH and our community well,” Mr Flanagan said. “She will provide stability and continuity during this period.”
Given the Boards’ recommendation to the Minister for Health regarding a potential voluntary amalgamation, the ADH Board will not commence a recruitment process for a substantive Chief Executive Officer until the Minister’s decision is known.
“Our priority remains delivering excellent care for our community,” Mr Flanagan said. “We have a capable executive and clinical leadership team who will continue to lead ADH with confidence and commitment.”
Mrs Poxon will finish in the role on 17 April 2026. The Board will work closely with her and the ADH Executive Team over the coming weeks to ensure a smooth transition.

Media contact
Email: Jennifer.Creed@adh.org.au

Alexandra District Health and Eastern Health exploring a voluntary amalgamation to strengthen local healthcare

The Boards of Alexandra District Health and Eastern Health are working together to explore how they can strengthen healthcare for their communities and connect care for a healthy tomorrow.


Alexandra District Health Board Chair, Kim Flanagan, said the exploration builds on the strong partnership already in place through the East Metro and Murrindindi Local Health Service Network, which is beginning to deliver real benefits for their local communities.


“Through our long-term partnership with Eastern Health, we have brought specialist oncology consulting and infusion services to Alexandra, coordinated graduate nurse programs, and a staff learning platform,” Mr Flanagan said.


“Exploring a voluntary amalgamation is the next step in considering how we can build on this progress to secure sustainable, high-quality care for people living in Alexandra and its surrounding communities.”


Eastern Health Board Chair, Eugene Arocca, said both Boards were focused on what matters most – stronger healthcare for the community.


“Eastern Health is deeply connected to its community and has enhanced services to provide more care locally.


“Our shared focus with Alexandra District Health is to strengthen healthcare in the region. Exploring a voluntary amalgamation is about testing how we can bring more specialist care closer to home, make it easier for patients to get the right care when they need it, and create more training opportunities for staff to grow their skills and career to help attract and retain a strong workforce.”


As part of the exploration, the Boards are looking at how services could be strengthened and expanded, such as bringing more visiting specialists to Alexandra, improving local access to X-Ray and ultrasound, enhancing community health services support, and improving patient information systems to provide a seamless patient experience.

Mr Flanagan said, “Our shared goal is to keep delivering safe, high-quality care close to home, maintain a strong local identity, and honour the trust and legacy each health service has built over time.”


“This is about working together to strengthen what we already do well, while exploring how a voluntary amalgamation could help us secure services for the future and improve health outcomes for our communities.


“For Alexandra District Health, this means maintaining our core services – urgent care, inpatient beds, district nursing, and community health – as well as preserving our local fundraising and community representation.”


There are no plans to cut jobs or reduce existing services. Staff will remain in their current roles and locations but could benefit from new opportunities and expanded training if a voluntary amalgamation was approved.


Engagement with staff, stakeholders and the communities serviced by both health organisations will happen from 6 to 21 November 2025. People will have the chance to provide feedback through a survey, by email or at several local Tea Talk sessions. Learn more about the community engagement program at www.connectingcare.net.


“Above all, this process is about better health outcomes and making sure our communities can continue to access the care they need, close to home,” Mr Flanagan said.


Pending the outcomes of the exploration and community engagement, any future proposal would require Ministerial approval.

Alexandra District Health offers Local Oncology Treatments