HL7 Australia appoints David Rowlands as new chair

HL7 Australia announced the appointment of David Rowlands as its new Chair, succeeding Dr. Isobel Frean. Dr. Frean will remain on the board as a non-executive director. This leadership change comes at a pivotal time for HL7 Australia, as the organization continues to advance health informatics and interoperability standards in the country.

David Rowlands is a highly respected figure in health informatics with a distinguished career dedicated to advancing digital health standards. His appointment as Chair marks a significant step forward for HL7 Australia, an organization crucial for setting standards in health information technology. Rowlands’ extensive experience includes leading the development of pivotal frameworks that shape Australia's digital health landscape.

In 2020, Rowlands spearheaded the creation of the A Health Interoperability Standards Development, Maintenance, and Management Model for Australia. This model established a robust framework for developing and managing health interoperability standards, a key component in ensuring effective data exchange across health systems. Building on this success, he also led the development of the Australian FHIR Management Framework in 2023. This framework supports the implementation of FHIR (Fast Healthcare Interoperability Resources) standards, which are essential for modernizing health information exchange in Australia.

Rowlands’ role in shaping these frameworks underscores his commitment to enhancing health data interoperability and ensuring that health information systems can communicate seamlessly. His leadership in these initiatives has positioned him as a leading advocate for improved health data standards and interoperability.

In addition to his role at HL7 Australia, Rowlands is actively involved with WentWest, which operates the Primary Health Network (PHN) in Western Sydney. His board positions extend to various organizations, including the Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH), where he has served on the board and is recognized as a Fellow and Honorary Life Member. His contributions to aged care and child health service providers further reflect his broad expertise and dedication to improving health services across different sectors.

Rowlands' extensive qualifications include being an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management (ACHSM) and a Certified Health Informatician Australasia (CHIA). These credentials highlight his deep knowledge and expertise in health informatics and management, reinforcing his suitability for the Chair role at HL7 Australia.

In his new position, Rowlands expressed enthusiasm about supporting HL7 Australia’s mission during a critical phase of modernization in Australia’s health sector. “I look forward to supporting Australia’s vibrant and growing HL7 community during the modernisation of Australia’s health sector,” said Rowlands. “Patient-centred care that addresses the complex care Australians require simply cannot be delivered without the safe, reliable, and rapid movement of clinical and other information, and HL7 standards — particularly FHIR — developed openly and transparently, are central to that.”

Rowlands’ focus on patient-centred care and the importance of reliable health information exchange aligns with HL7 Australia's core mission. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing the organization’s efforts to enhance the interoperability of health information systems, which is critical for delivering effective and integrated healthcare services.

In addition to Rowlands’ appointment, HL7 Australia has welcomed Dr. Andy Bond as a new board member. Dr. Bond brings a wealth of experience as a digital health architect, with a background that spans both government and industry. His contributions to health informatics include involvement in HL7 Australia, Standards Australia IT-014, and HL7 International. At Magentus, Bond focuses on interoperability and FHIR-based partnerships, demonstrating a commitment to advancing health information exchange through sustainable and collaborative approaches.

Dr. Bond’s expertise in FHIR and his dedication to fostering an open and collaborative FHIR community complement HL7 Australia’s goals. His appointment to the board adds a valuable perspective on interoperability and the strategic direction for leveraging FHIR standards in the evolving digital health landscape.

The leadership changes at HL7 Australia come as the organization continues to play a crucial role in shaping the future of health informatics in Australia. As HL7 standards and FHIR frameworks become increasingly central to modernizing health data systems, the appointments of Rowlands and Bond signal a strong commitment to advancing interoperability and improving healthcare delivery.

The new leadership team at HL7 Australia is poised to drive forward initiatives that enhance the integration and exchange of health information, ultimately supporting a more connected and efficient healthcare system. With Rowlands’ extensive experience and Bond’s focus on sustainable FHIR investment, HL7 Australia is well-positioned to navigate the complexities of health informatics and contribute to the ongoing evolution of Australia’s health sector.

As the health informatics community looks to the future, HL7 Australia’s strategic leadership will be pivotal in advancing standards and fostering collaboration to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving digital health landscape.