After seven years at the helm, ProCare Group CEO, Steve Boomert today announced he plans to step down from his role at the end of the year to move into a career in governance.

“Over the past seven years, I have led ProCare through periods of significant change. What has remained constant though, has been a focus toward ensuring our strategy and foundations are solid. In a year where our network will mark its 25th anniversary, I leave confident that ProCare in 2020 is strong, resilient and in a position to adapt to any future changes to the New Zealand health sector,” he said.

“I personally want to acknowledge the amazing clinicians in our network. I have been inspired by their compassion and commitment to supporting the wellbeing needs of their patients. This has never been more evident than during COVID-19, when workforces rapidly adapted to maintain care for patients.

“Thank you also to my Board, staff, peers in Primary Care and DHB – from the very beginning you were happy to share your wisdom with me – for this I thank you all.”
In the next phase of his career Mr Boomert will take up governance and advisory roles with a focus on those organisations that assist whānau and communities in the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

ProCare Board Chair, Dr Harley Aish, has expressed his gratitude for Mr Boomert’s deep commitment to ProCare during his tenure.

“ProCare is in excellent health and we are very proud of all that Steve has accomplished at the helm over the past seven years. Some highlights include Steve leading a significant lift in clinical performance, the development of a population health strategy for our 800,000 patients, and starting the national telehealth service which now supports more than one million New Zealanders a year.

“A very important initiative Steve was instrumental in the development of is the integrated primary mental health model which in 2019 was adopted by the government and is now being rolled out to every general practice across the country. He also established successful strategic partnerships with ACC, MSD and other PHOs and in 2018 created New Zealand’s first primary care co-operative.

“Most recently, we thank Steve for his excellent leadership through COVID-19,” says Dr Aish.

Dr Aish adds “The ProCare Board is looking forward to working with Steve on a smooth transition to his successor who will lead ProCare into the future.”

“At that point, we know that throughout the transition process ProCare will maintain a strong focus on equitable health outcomes and general practice sustainability, and continue to deliver top quality service to its 173 practices.”

Recruitment for a new Chief Executive Officer is underway.

ENDS

Contact:
Ruth Morse
Senior Communications Advisor, ProCare and Fresh Minds
Ruth.morse@procare.co.nz or 021 263 1415