Dr Shelley Dolan

Melbourne’s Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre has named UK-based cancer research leader Dr Shelley Dolan as its new Chief Executive.

Dr Dolan is currently deputy CEO of King’s College Hospital in London and will take up the Peter Mac position in August.

She has spent much of her career at working in specialised cancer services at the Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, where she ended as both Chief Nurse and Deputy CEO.

“Shelley has a Masters Degree in cancer nursing and has a PhD in the early diagnosis of sepsis in cancer patients … and brings with her a rich leadership experience in cancer research, education and care and large-scale hospital management,” a statement from Peter Mac says.

According to Peter Mac’s current board chair Maxine Morand, Dr Dolan has a passion for specialised cancer services and is a strong advocate for embedding clinical research and education in the clinical environment to deliver the best possible outcomes.

She designed and led the NHS’ Cancer Vanguard new care model, an initiative focused on improving early diagnosis of cancer and has also led the successful design and clinical roll out of the new Electronic Patient Records (EPIC) system.

Ms Morand said Dr Dolan’s appointment came after a six month recruitment search and she “was the outstanding candidate among a prestigious field of applicants” of CEOs and executives from North America, Europe and Australia.

The process particular focussed on executives with a strong appreciation of leading specialist services in research-intensive healthcare environments, she said.