Appointed: Associate Professor Sophie Adams
Position: Chief Psychiatrist
Organisation: Department of Health, Victoria
A/Prof Sophie Adams has been appointed as Chief Psychiatrist with the Department of Health and will commence in July 2024. In this position, Sophie is responsible for enhancing the experience of consumers receiving assessment and treatment for mental illness and their carers. She will provide advice and contemporary leadership to clinical mental health services, promoting continuous improvement in the quality and safety of these services. The Office of the Chief Psychiatrist will also partner with other teams and agencies across the Victorian public service to implement the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Victoria’s Mental Health System.
With a longstanding commitment to the public mental health sector and to its safe development, Sophie has a strong belief that looking after people results in higher safety, productivity and satisfaction and that supported cultures enable people to maximise their potential. Having worked in public psychiatry since 1999, Sophie will bring a wealth of clinical, leadership, ethical, research, strategic, and medical administration expertise through a systemic lens to her new position.
Sophie joins the Department of Health following her previous employment as Divisional Medical Director, Mental Health with Austin Health.
“Having gone through the recruitment process with Fisher Leadership, I would absolutely consider using them for future recruitment myself. I found the process highly supportive at every step of the way and truly appreciated the opportunity to later participate in the Fisher Leadership International Women’s Day Dinner and meet some like minded women. Many thanks to all at Fisher Leadership for a thoughtful person centred approach.
A/Prof Sophie Adams, Chief Psychiatrist, Department of Health
