NEW AIDH DIGITAL STRATEGY ADDS PILLAR TO PREVIOUS AIMS Nurturing, supporting and advancing AIDH members’ professional lives
With
Anja Nikolic,
Chief Executive Officer
Australasian Institute of Digital Health
SEGMENT
Filmed in Melbourne & Sydney | March 2026
Australasian Institute of Digital Health (AIDH), today has released the AIDH Strategic Plan for 2026–2028, recently approved by the Board. This plan acts as a roadmap, as well as a shared statement of purpose and intent, guiding where AIDH will focus its effort, investment and voice over the next three years.
Australian Health Journal spoke with Anja Nikolic, AIDH Chief Executive Officer on AIDH’s role as a hub for collaboration, knowledge advancement and thought leadership across the sector.
Drawing upon the previous strategic plan ending 2025, the new plan as a new pillar.
The plan commits AIDH to continuing its work in building a highly skilled and capable workforce, shaping healthcare through strong thought leadership, and fostering a diverse and engaged community. Importantly, it introduces an additional strategic aim — nurturing a thriving and growing membership — because its impact relies on a strong, supported and connected member base.
Underlying themes are AIDH’s commitment to organisational excellence, guided by its values of professionalism, excellence, integrity, respect and teamwork.
The Strategic Plan was developed collaboratively, drawing on the insight and experience of staff, the Board, members and stakeholders.
AIDH members and stakeholders are invited to read the plan and consider how they can support its delivery — through their involvement, their ideas, and their advocacy for AIDH and the digital health community.
Source: Supplied and adapted
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Representing the profession that impacts individual lives and communities
Michelle Oliver is a highly experienced Occupational Therapist with nearly two decades of leadership and clinical expertise across the mental health, homelessness, and disability sectors. She holds a Master of Occupational Therapy from the University of South Australia and is a registered practitioner with AHPRA.
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Michelle Fenwick – Northern Health
The outskirts of Melbourne is experiencing significant population growth over the next 10 years and Northern Health has taken preemptive steps to ensure the supply of new talented healthcare staff as well as develop the culture of the workplace.
Michelle Fenwick, the Executive Director of Northern Health spoke with our reporter Anne Dao on the challenges of this urban growth over the past 3 years. By 2031 the region is expected to increase in population by 63%. Added to this is hiring and training the right workforce to align with the clinical care needs of people coming into the healthcare centres.
Culture is forming in a growing organisation with approximately 70% of staff having been at Northern Health less than 4 years. However there is opportunity for clinical staff to accelerate their career in such an environment
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Student nurse placements in primary health care
With an urgent need to manage increasing rates of chronic disease, an ageing population, and a rapidly-ageing primary health care nurse workforce, Australia desperately needs more primary health care nurses to enter the workforce before the current generation retires and cannot pass on its skills.
Most nurses start their career in a hospital. Historically, it was difficult for universities and tertiary education providers to arrange placements for student nurses in primary health care. However, the APNA Student Nurse Placement Program provides student nurses with a foot in the door to a career in vibrant primary health care settings such as general practice or community health to perform supervised activities.
