Dr Merran Smith retiring
Dr Merran Smith retiring
Thursday, January 23, 2025
It is with a heavy heart we announce Dr Merran Smith, our Chief Executive, will retire in mid-2025. For more than 15 years, her vision and unwavering commitment have been instrumental in advancing Australia’s national data linkage infrastructure. Thanks to her leadership, PHRN has established itself as the nation’s only comprehensive network of specialist data linkage units, secure data laboratories, and e-research services, empowering researchers with access to sensitive, linked population data.
Merran’s extensive expertise in science, health, and economics, combined with her vast experience in Australia’s health and research infrastructure systems, has been the cornerstone of her remarkable contributions. A strategic leader with a collaborative spirit, she has played a vital role on many of Australia’s key national health information committees.
Her ability to balance meticulous attention to detail with a visionary outlook has been invaluable to our organisation. Merran is a thoughtful and inspiring leader, and an encouraging and supportive mentor.
While we will greatly miss her leadership, Merran’s well-earned retirement is an opportunity for her to enjoy new adventures, filled with travel, friends and family.
A recruitment process to find her successor will begin in January. Meantime, the PHRN National Office remains fully committed to ensuring a seamless transition as we continue with business as usual.