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Rear Admiral Sarah Sharkey has formally been handed over controller over the dual role of Surgeon General of the Australian Defence Force (SGADF) and Commander Joint Health (CJHLTH).
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Air Vice-Marshal Tracy Smart conducted the hand over.
RADM Sharkey has served for 25 years as a Medical Officer in the Royal Australian Navy, and has assumed the role of Deputy CJHLTH since 2017.
On handing over command after four years in the role, AVM Smart said she was pleased to see her deputy promoted and ready to step into her shoes.
“With a lot of exciting things on the horizon for JHC and for Defence broadly, in the healthcare space, it is a great time for a new JHC leadership team with Rear Admiral Sharkey at the helm, to come on board,” AVM Smart said.
As SGADF and CJHLTH, RADM Sharkey will have oversight of 58 Defence health centres domestically, and one overseas in Malaysia (RMAF Butterworth), that provide for the health and wellbeing needs of serving personnel.
At the handover of command parade, RADM Sharkey said she was privileged to be given the opportunity to serve as SGADF and CJHLTH, in particular given the great shape JHC had been left in under the leadership of AVM Smart.
“Having shadowed AVM Smart over the past weeks in various forums and meetings, both internal and external to Defence, the one constant that has been obvious is the high esteem with which JHC, its people and its outputs are held,” RADM Sharkey said.
“This is a testament to how far we have come, the leadership of AVM Smart and the work of all of you."
RADM Sharkey noted in her inaugural speech as CJHLTH that it was an exciting time to be in Defence, with huge investments in capability and many reform programs and projects on the cusp of being delivered, including in Defence health.
“The importance of this role is not lost on me. And nor are the inherent and inevitable challenges we will face. Defence health services directly impact every uniformed member of the ADF and directly contribute to ADF capability,” RADM Sharkey said.
“We have a unique and critical contribution to make.
“Fundamental to this are all of you, the people of Joint Health Command. Our people are our most valuable resource. I look forward to serving with you, and for you, as we work together and in collaboration with our single service colleagues, other groups and other government agencies and departments to deliver the best, agile, capable and defence health services and capabilities possible.”
