New CEO for AMA(SA)

medicSA introduces new AMA(SA) CEO Nicole Sykes, whose first column follows below.

New AMA(SA) CEO Nicole Sykes began her career in health as a radiographer and medical sonographer with Dr Jones and Partners, eventually gaining a management role. She believes this provided a strong foundation in understanding the complexities of providing quality care to patients within specialist rooms and a hospital environment while balancing the needs of a business.

Nicole has since expanded her administration and leadership skills in country health, establishing a startup medical practice, and managing large specialist organisations.

She says projects such as developing purpose-built medical facilities and leading a large specialist group through the pandemic have fostered in her a broad and deep understanding of many of the issues confronted by working doctors. She is particularly passionate about ensuring the wellbeing of medical professionals through providing safe working environments in which all staff can thrive.

Nicole and her husband juggle their personal time volunteering as coaches and backstage at their daughters’ many sporting and performing commitments.

What attracted you to the AMA(SA) role?

The positive reputation of AMA and the influential role the association plays to improve the healthcare industry were certainly key factors initially. It was also incredibly appealing to change focus to leverage my experience from working within large specialist medical practices to add value within a broader collaborative network supporting doctors and improving healthcare services.

What are the organisation’s strengths?

The insight gained through collaborating with both members and large industry bodies to align a pathway forward for the benefit of the medical profession and the flow on this has to the community through the provision of quality services are exceptional.

An unexpected benefit I appreciate is the collaboration and support that occurs between the state and federal AMA CEOs and governing councils.

And challenges?

Our most significant challenge, like many associations lies in how we best