Media release 19 May 2025
The Victorian Government has appointed Professor Christine Kilpatrick AO as the new Chair of The Royal Children’s Hospital Board, effective 1 July 2025.
Professor Kilpatrick is a highly renowned leader with a track-record of shaping and strengthening health services in Victoria with deep experience across clinical, academic medicine and hospital administration.
Previously, Professor Kilpatrick was CEO of the Royal Melbourne Hospital (RMH) (2017-2023), and CEO of The Royal Children’s Hospital (2008-2017). In her clinical career Professor Kilpatrick trained and specialised in neurology and epilepsy at the RMH and spent 11 years leading the RMH’s epilepsy program.
For over 20 years Professor Kilpatrick has been a Board Director of multiple health services and health-related entities. Currently Professor Kilpatrick is Board Chair of Healthdirect Australia (HDA) and Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC) and Board Director of Victorian Managed Insurance Authority (VMIA) and Central Adelaide Local Health Network (CALHN). Additionally, Professor Kilpatrick is an Enterprise Professor in the Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences at the University of Melbourne.
Professor Kilpatrick is grateful for the opportunity to play a leading role at the RCH once again.
“I’m delighted to return to the RCH and play my part in ensuring the hospital leads the way in caring for the most vulnerable children in our community.”
“Every child deserves to reach their full potential, and I am deeply committed to the health, development and wellbeing of all children and young people in the Victorian community.”
RCH CEO Dr Peter Steer welcomes Professor Kilpatrick’s appointment and the expertise she will bring to the RCH.
“We’re privileged to have Professor Kilpatrick’s leadership and to draw on her vast experience across the Victorian health sector over many decades. I look forward to working with her and the Board as we aim to achieve our vision of a world where all kids thrive – a vision I know Professor Kilpatrick shares.”
Current Board Chair Dr Rowena Coutts will conclude her term on 30 June 2025. We look forward to welcoming Professor Kilpatrick to the RCH from 1 July 2025.