63 - From corralled group of acquisitions to digital health innovators. Mary Foley, Telstra Health

Mary Foley is the Managing Director of Telstra Health.   Telstra Health is one of the largest Australian owned health technology companies, and is a subsidiary of Telstra Corporation, which is Australia’s largest telecommunications company.   Prior to joining Telstra Health, Mary was Director General and Secretary of NSW Health for a five-year term. She has also previously held roles as National Health Practice Leader for PwC Australia, Chief Executive of St Vincent’s and Mater Health Sydney, and a senior executive of a major listed Australian healthcare company.    Mary was appointed as a Member of the Order of Australia for her contribution to public administration in health and education in 2016. She’s received the Centenary Medal from the Federal Government for her business leadership in the private sector, and she is a former Telstra NSW Business Woman of the Year.   In this interview, Mary reflects on her distinguished career in healthcare, and how she became Managing Director of Telstra Health.  You’ll hear about the history of Telstra Health, and how it went from being a corralled group of acquisitions to a cohesive digital health innovator.  You will also hear about the impact of COVID-19 on Telstra Health and healthcare more broadly, as well as Mary’s perspective on the response to COVID from the Australian digital health community.