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    Centenary Institute > People > Deb Willcox AM

Deb Willcox AM

Appointed Governor in 2025

Deb Willcox AM was appointed Chief Executive, Sydney Local Health District in September 2024.

Prior to this role, Deb held the position of Deputy Secretary, Health System Strategy and Patient Experience, Ministry of Health, with statewide responsibility for areas including mental health, capital planning, patient experience, Commonwealth and State relations, health and social policy and allied health from 2022 to 2024. 

Deb was Chief Executive, Northern Sydney Local Health District from 2017 to 2022. From 2015 to 2017, Deb held the combined role of Director of Operations, Sydney Local Health District and General Manager, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Deb’s career has included roles in both government and non-government organisations and her experience spans clinical, corporate services, government departments, the research environment and senior government advisor roles.

Prior to NSW Health, Deb held senior positions in government, including Chief of Staff in the portfolios of Planning, Housing and Aboriginal Affairs and Advisor to the Deputy Premier and Minister for Health, overseeing clinical portfolio areas including planned surgery, critical care and emergency departments. 

Deb started her career in nursing at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital and later studied law, having been admitted as a Legal Practitioner in New South Wales.

Deb received a Member of the Order (AM) in the 2023 Australia Day Honours for her significant service to health administration and to the community.

News

  • Centenary Institute mourns the passing of Dame Marie Bashir

    The Centenary Institute is deeply saddened by the passing of our Founding Patron, Professor The Honourable Dame Marie Bashir AD CVO.
    Date 21 Jan 2026
  • Funding boost for pioneering gene therapy and liver disease research

    Centenary Institute researchers have achieved success in the latest round of National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Ideas Grants, securing funding for innovative work in rare genetic diseases and liver disease.
    Date 06 Jan 2026
  • A new era in therapeutic protein design

    A major new research project funded by the Australian Research Council (ARC) Discovery Projects scheme is commencing, with the Centenary Institute playing a central role. The project will establish an advanced platform to improve therapeutic protein design, supporting future developments in drugs, diagnostics and biotechnology.
    Date 08 Dec 2025
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