Welcome home Joel: EMHS appoints new Chief Executive

Following an open and competitive recruitment process – undertaken in collaboration with WA Department of Health Director General, Dr Shirley Bowen – the East Metropolitan Health Service (EMHS) Board is pleased to announce the new Chief Executive for EMHS is Joel Gurr.
 
No stranger to EMHS, Joel was an integral part of the organisation from early 2019 to early 2023, where he became the Executive Director, Clinical Service Strategy and Population Health, and was a member of the Area Executive Group. 

During that time, he led the delivery of a number of key projects, including the Bidi Wungen Kaat Centre and the inaugural Medical Respite Centre, in addition to developing the business cases for the Byford Health Hub and Bentley Surgicentre. 

Significantly, Joel worked as a clinician at Royal Perth Hospital from 2002 until 2010, which provided him with first-hand patient experience. 

Joel is currently Executive Director, Commissioning and Redevelopment at North Metropolitan Health Service (NMHS), where he is a member of the Executive team and leads major infrastructure projects, including the New Women and Babies Hospital Project and the Graylands Campus Project. Joel is recognised for his nuanced leadership skills and innate ability to build high-performing teams. 
 
Joel’s wealth of experience across EMHS, NMHS and South Metropolitan Health Service, will prove instrumental in leading us into an exciting future which is focused on providing our local community with access to modern, high-performing models of care – delivered by an optimised and engaged workforce, committed to delivering amazing care, for which EMHS is renowned.
 
The Board would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank Philip Aylward for his dedication and commitment in fulfilling the role of Acting EMHS Chief Executive (CE) since the first week of January this year, when former CE Dr Lesley Bennett moved to her new role with the Department of Health. 
 
The Board acknowledges the energy and trademark diligence of Philip in striving to always achieve the best possible outcomes for staff and patients during the past three months.
 
Philip will remain in the role of Acting CE until Friday 8 May. Joel will assume the role of EMHS CE from Monday 4 May – ensuring a smooth engagement and transition period.
 
The Board knows the EMHS team will thank Philip for his leadership to date, and warmly welcome Joel back “home” to East Metro in his new leadership role.