Mr McDonnell will spend two months as acting CEO of the health service while Anne McEvoy is on long service leave.
Mr McDonnell has taken over from Wendy Ross, who had spent the initial stages of Mrs McEvoy’s time away in the acting role, but has now accepted a position with Goulburn Valley Hospice Care Service.
The transition of interim leadership at KDHS was smooth as Ms Ross finished on a Friday and Mr McDonnell arrived the following Monday.
Mr McDonnell said his role would involve him overseeing the operation of the health service and working with the executive team to continue the smooth operation of the organisation.
Since ending his eight-year term with Seymour Health, he has taken on the interim roles at Alexandra — and now Kyabram.
“I will spend two months in the role until the end of August. I have an understanding of Kyabram Health and the important role it has in the community through my lengthy involvement with the Hume Health region,” he said.
Mr McDonnell had spent time in retirement, after almost 15 years of sitting in CEO roles with various health services, before being approached to assist Alexandra District Health Board and management.
He lives in Melbourne, but will be setting up a temporary home in Kyabram for the next two months.
"KDHS is a very well managed health service. I will work with the board around their priorities and deliver on those to ensure this high level of service continues,” he said.
Mr McDonnell said KDHS had a similar service profile to Seymour Health with acute, community and aged care.
“I am fortunate to have had a lot to do with GV Health, with who KDHS has a strong partnership with.
“Understanding the system and knowing the CEOs in the area is also helpful,” he said.
