Dr Dinesh Arya has been appointed to the key senior role of Chief Medical Officer and Chief Psychiatrist for Tasmania following a competitive recruitment process.
Dr Arya will commence in his position in the Department of Health on 22 January 2024, relocating from Canberra where he has held the role of the ACT’s Chief Medical Officer and Chief Psychiatrist.
Dr Arya brings a wealth of experience to the role with more than 20 years’ experience in senior health executive positions, including roles in a number of Australian states and territories, New Zealand, and the Middle East. This includes as a Medical Chief Executive, Chief Medical Officer, Executive Director of Mental Health Services, Clinical Lead for Innovation and Reform, and Chief Psychiatrist.
Dr Arya is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, Australian College of Health Service Management and Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists, and a member of the Royal College of Psychiatrists (UK).
Dr Arya has also accepted an appointment as an Adjunct Professor within the College of Health and Medicine at the University of Tasmania.
The Department of Health would like to acknowledge Dr Ruth Kearon for her many years of service to the Department of Health and her significant contribution to health services in Tasmania, including most recently as Acting Chief Medical Officer. Dr Kearon will commence a new role with the University of Tasmania in April 2024.
The Department would also like to acknowledge and thank Associate Professor Anthony Cidoni, who has been in the role of Acting Chief Psychiatrist since 2022.