Victorian Comprehensive Cancer Centre |Annual Report 2017–18 Chairperson’s Report From an exciting concept thank them for their valuable contributions tothe VCCC in its formative years. And we were to a dynamic force pleased to welcome two new directors Russell Harrison, Chief Executive Officer, Western Health, Nineteen new programs are up and running, hundreds and Angela Nolan, Chief Executive Officer, St Vincent’s of expert contributors have been engaged, and more Hospital Melbourne. Their contributions have already than 100 events have been held involving thousands been notable. of participants. It has certainly been a year of swift growth and energetic progress for the VCCC. Leadership within the alliance was further strengthened during the year with the appointment of The alliance has matured from an exciting concept Professor Maarten IJzerman as Chair of Cancer Health to a truly dynamic force. We are seeing how our Services Research at the University of Melbourne and co-designed, system-wide, collaborative approach Western Health. Professor IJzerman was formerly is changing the way we tackle cancer in Victoria. Chair of the Department of Health Technology and Services Research at the University of Twente, the We have achieved our positive results because of Netherlands, and visiting professor at the Netherlands the commitment and contributions of our leaders, Cancer Institute; the Medical Imaging Department partners, supporters and the many dedicated people in the University Medical Centre Groningen, and the working in cancer in Victoria who understand the Luxembourg Institute of Health. power of a collaborative model. We are fortunate to have a strong and focussed group of stakeholders, Professor IJzerman will lead health services research supported by an excellent staff team, driving this using existing healthcare data to drive improvements new era in cancer care. in access to cancer health services. Professor IJzerman’s understanding of molecular diagnostics Our Board of Directors plays a key role in the direction and health economic modelling is strategically and success of the VCCC. As CEOs of our 10 alliance important to delivering innovative systems and new partners, the members of the VCCC Board bring diverse technologies to cancer care across Victoria. This is a ideas and thoughtful perspectives to our deliberations. key appointment: the work Professor IJzerman will These 10 major institutions have ashared commitment progress is expected to substantially improve our to work together to ensure that we bring benefits to capacity to undertake cancer health services research cancer patients and their families across Victoria. I am and help inform healthcare policy and practice. grateful for the ongoing contributions of our board members and for the generous support of staff from Building an alliance organisation takes more than the alliance organisations in VCCC programs and goodwill and cooperation. The work involves dedicated activities. Thank you also to Professor Robert Thomas, effort, patience and mutual respect as we build Deputy Chair of the VCCC Board for his steadfast processes and systems to connect people and develop commitment to our mission. mechanisms to share expertise, data, and programs. Our work is grounded in a shared commitment to During the past year we farewelled two outgoing address the needs of people living with cancer and directors, Associate Professor Alex Cockram, who their families — this is the ‘why’ that drives our efforts. stepped down as Chief Executive Officer of Western Health in August 2017 and Associate Professor Susan We see the VCCC as a truly innovative, change-making O’Neill, who resigned as Chief Executive Officer at St organisation. We cannot shift the dial on outcomes for Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne in December 2017. We cancer patients unless we work collaboratively, bring 8