The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS) has announced the appointment of Dr Tony Sherbon as a special advisor for the next six months. This decision was made in light of CEO John Biviano taking extended leave to prioritise his health and wellbeing. Dr Sherbon has significant experience across business, government and the healthcare sector. Tony spent more than a decade overseeing large health services as the chief executive of the Illawarra Area Health Service, ACT Health and SA Health. Tony also worked as CEO with the Independent Hospital Pricing Authority and Ernest and Young where he served as the client service partner for the Commonwealth Department of Health.

In October 2019, Dr Sherbon established his own health consultancy firm Sherbon Advisory. He currently holds a number of board positions, including chair of the board of GPEx, a registered training organisation for GPs and the primary healthcare sector in South Australia; chair of the board of the Calvary Medibank Joint Venture; boards of Southern Adelaide Local Health Network; South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute and chair of its subsidiary—the Australian Bragg Centre for Proton Therapy and Research. He is also an adviser to the board of Bolton Clarke, Australia’s largest not-for-profit aged care provider.

RACS president Associate Professor Kerin Fielding and vice president Professor Owen Ung will be working closely with Dr Tony Sherbon on financial sustainability measures that will generate considerable savings for the College as well as the ongoing review of RACS governance structure.

“The proposal on the table is a significant shift in approach, with the establishment of a small, more agile skills-based board that will enhance our governance capabilities and financial oversight and will be better suited for the growing challenges our organisation faces. Council will maintain the broad representation of the Fellowship and steer the important educational, service and representative functions of the college. We believe this will streamline our decision-making processes, allowing for more efficient and effective governance within the organisation,” Professor Owen Ung said.

“Our Council meeting in late June will discuss our usual business matters as well as how we can continue to focus resources on initiatives that truly matter to our Fellows, Trainees, Specialist International Medical Graduates, specialty societies and patients. We will provide a further update to members in due course,” concluded Associate Professor Kerin Fielding.

Dr. Tony Sherbon started his new role as a special advisor at RACS on 1 June 2023.