While you wouldn't say Peter Williams had a 'warm' welcome, the new general manager has come in all guns blazing.
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"On my first day it snowed - it was very much a great, cold 'welcome to Armidale'," he laughed.
The now captain of the Tablelands Sector of Hunter New England Health (HNEH) has gotten used to seeing the positives in what others would call challenging times.
Like steering the ship of a health organisation in the middle of a pandemic.
"I think it's quite a privileged position in some ways to be apart of this challenging time not only for health care but more broadly for the community," he said.
His area covers Armidale, Glen Innes, Inverell, Tenterfield, Uralla, Guyra, Bundarra, Tingha, Ashford and Emmaville.
In his fourth week, he's been learning the challenges at each site from a strategic perspective alongside local health service managers.
But his goal is more about making sure patients and clients have access to the health care they need, especially with telehealth, during the pandemic.
Mr Williams acted in the same role a few years ago behind then GM Wendy Mulligan.
"I loved it so much and took the opportunity to apply for the position this time around. And I was very excited to be chosen," he said.
He comes from being GM of the Hunter Valley Sector, based in Muswellbrook.
Prior to that Mr Williams was the GM of drug and alcohol services for HNEH, and helped commission new services targeting alcohol and substance abuse.
Executive Director of Rural and Regional Health Services Susan Heyman welcomed Mr Williams as an experienced health professional with a proven track record in management and hands-on clinical work.
Cathryn has been an invaluable powerhouse for the Sector, keeping services working smoothly, even during a pandemic that's fundamentally changed the way our frontline services deliver care.
- Susan Heyman
"The community's health services remain in good hands under his leadership," she said.
Ms Heyman has also extended her warmest thanks to operations manager Cathryn Jones who filled the role as acting general manager for more than 12 months during the recruitment.
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"Cathryn has been an invaluable powerhouse for the Sector, keeping services working smoothly, even during a pandemic that's fundamentally changed the way our frontline services deliver care," Ms Heyman said.
"It has been no small feat, and I thank her whole-heartedly for the determination and drive she has invested in the role."
And as for Mr Williams, he is very much looking forward to working with the health teams and being a part of the community.
