Bendigo Community Health Services has begun its 50^th year in the city with a new Chief Executive Officer.

The health service this week welcomed Mandy Hutchinson to lead its 270-plus staff into the next era of caring for local people’s health and wellbeing.

Mandy was most recently CEO of Northern District Community Health, which services the communities around the Kerang region of Victoria.

Prior to that six-year appointment Mandy was the Gannawarra Shire Council’s first Director Community Wellbeing.

BCHS chair Melanie Eddy said Mandy’s health leadership experience meant she was well positioned to steer the Bendigo service into the future.

“We believe Mandy’s background, passion and connections with regional health services will enable us to grow a community health service to serve the aspirations of the next generation,” Melanie said.

Mandy is also a founding member and current chair of the Alliance of Rural and Regional Community Health, which works towards reducing health inequity in rural and regional Victoria via the advocacy and work of its 11 community health members.

Mandy said it was an honour to be part of the leadership team at BCHS.

“In my first week it is really evident the values of Community Health are strong at BCHS,” she said.

“There is tangible passion about the work we do; the responsibility to do our best to reduce health inequity and improve health and wellbeing through the social determinants of health.

“Our commitment to reach people who need us the most by building trusting relationships with our community and by responding with agility in times of need, coupled with an investment in upstream health prevention, is clear.

“I can’t wait to get to know the community and work with the wonderful BCHS team to strengthen the place of Community Health across the region.”

In 2024, BCHS will also launch its Endometriosis and Pelvic Pain Clinic, progress work on the refurbishment of its Eaglehawk site, amp up services at the new Loddon Children’s Health and Wellbeing Local, plus celebrate five decades of providing health and wellbeing services in the region.