Dr Robyn Lawrence, currently WA Health’s assistant director general of clinical excellence, will lead SA Health from September 12, the state government announced this morning.

Lawrence, who has a background in medicine and surgery and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Western Australia, has held a number of chief executive roles during her time in the health profession.

Dr Robyn Lawrence

She was formerly chief executive of WA’s North Metropolitan health Service, Child and Adolescent Health Service and South Metropolitan Health Service.

More recently, she has worked as WA Health’s deputy chief health officer and COVID-19 incident controller, as well as executive director of clinical strategy.

Lawrence replaces acting SA Health chief executive Lynne Cowan.

Cowan has been in the role since April after the Malinauskas Government terminated former SA Health boss Chris McGowan in a widespread shakeup of the public service.

Health Minister Chris Picton said he was confident Lawrence would help “deliver on our Government’s ambitious agenda to fix the ramping crisis”.

“I’m delighted we have secured a leader of the calibre and credentials of Dr Lawrence to lead SA Health at this pivotal time and deliver much needed reforms to health care,” he said.

“With experience running hospitals, frontline experience managing the pandemic response and a medical background, Dr Lawrence has a unique mix of skills and abilities to step into this important job.”