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Karen Lenihan is a seasoned leader and expert in healthcare management, with a strong background in nursing practice and governance. As Principal Official Visitor for the NSW Mental Health Act, she has overseen the independent oversight of mental health services across NSW, ensuring care, collaboration, and communication with stakeholders. With extensive experience in program management, project management, and organizational development, Karen has held senior roles in various healthcare organizations, including Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery and Director of Alcohol and Drug Program and Corrections Health Program. Her expertise spans population health, leadership development, and cultural change, making her a valuable asset in driving positive impact in the healthcare sector.

Experience

  • selectability
    • Townsville, Queensland, Australia
    • Board Member
      • May 2023 - Present
      • Townsville, Queensland, Australia

      At selectability our purpose is to improve the mental wellbeing of regional Queenslanders and contribute to suicide prevention

  • NSW Government
    • Sydney, Australia
    • Principal Official Visitor
      • Nov 2015 - Jul 2023
      • Sydney, Australia

      Official Visitors are established by the NSW Mental Health Act (2007) although the Official Visitors Program has been in existence in NSW since 1843. As the Principal Official Visitor, I was appointed by the NSW Minister for Mental Health, Regional Youth and Women and was responsible for all aspects of the Program. The focus of the Official Visitors Program is to keep humanity in mental health care. This is undertaken through care, collaboration and communication with people using mental health services, their carers and families and mental health services. Over 80 Official Visitors across NSW, undertake independent oversight of mental health services provided in in-patient, emergency, corrections and community settings on a regular basis. Also, we ensured oversight of the involuntary drug and alcohol treatment program (IDAT).

  • Charles Sturt University
    • Wagga Wagga, Australia
    • Director, Organisational & People Capability
      • Feb 2011 - Jan 2016
      • Wagga Wagga, Australia

      Major accountabilities ......This position took a lead in the identification and development of strategic solutions in a range of functions including human resources service delivery. I focused on monitoring and initiating strategies that renewed the culture and enhanced organisational capability to meet business outcomes. My role included strengthening activity to build individual capability and competence, in particular leadership development, professional learning and development, performance management, and rewards and recognition initiatives.

    • Executive Director, Nursing and Midwifery
      • Nov 2007 - Jan 2011

      Major accountabilities .......In this position I was professionally responsible for over 2,000 nurses and midwives in southern New South Wales. The major accountabilities included workforce planning, policy and standards compliance, accreditation requirements, professional development, management of industrial issues and organisational changes processes. I also represented these nurses and midwives at regional and state levels.Over this period, for 6 months, I acted as the General Manager for 12 hospitals in south east New South Wales, with line management of 1,200 staff and a budget of $200m.

  • ACT Health
    • Canberra, Australia
    • Director, Alcohol & Drug Program & Corrections Health Program
      • Apr 2005 - Nov 2007
      • Canberra, Australia

      Major accountabilities.......In this position I had management responsibility for a range of alcohol, drug and correctional health services including an in-patient unit, community based services, pharmacotherapy clinics and health services into correctional facilities. I successfully undertook a major change and service improvement process across drug and alcohol services, and contributed to the planning of health services into the expansion of the Corrections facilities in the ACT.

  • NSW Health
    • Sydney, Australia
    • Manager, Population Health & Infrastructure Development
      • Apr 2004 - Apr 2005
      • Sydney, Australia

      In this role I developed a framework for a population health approach to drug issues in NSW. Implemented multiple strategies identified in the 2004 NSW Alcohol Summit and coordinated evaluation processes. Analysed, responded and prepared advice on drug and alcohol issues for NSW Minster for Health, Special Minister of State and the Premier. I was directly involved in the development and coordination of policy and guidelines on a range of issues including the use of psychostimulants, drug driving and drink spiking.

    • Assoc Director, Population Health
      • 1999 - 2004
      • Sydney, Australia

      This position required the establishment of a new Health Promotion Unit with staff recruitment, marketing of the services and the development of a strategic direction with a focus on the social determinants of health. We undertook research activities, and developed new tools and models that resulted in practice change and service development. We also shared our learning with other services and provided multiple conference presentations.

Education

  • 2014 - 2015
    University of New England, NSW
    Graduate Certificate of Mental Health Practice
  • 2004 - 2007
    University of New England, NSW
    Master of Business Administration (MBA), Human Resource Management
  • 1991 - 1997
    University of New England, NSW
    Bachelor of Social Science (BSocSc), Political Science, Sociology
  • 1992 - 1993
    Family Planning Association (FPA), Sydney
    Women's Health Nurse Practitioner
  • 1975 - 1976
    Guy's and St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust, London, England
    Registered Nurse, Psychiatric/Mental Health Nurse/Nursing
  • 1971 - 1974
    Northwick Park Hospital, Harrow, England
    Registered Nurse, General

Suggested Services

This profile is unclaimed. These are suggested service rates with 0% commision upon successful connection

Industry Focus. “Mental Health Care”

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