The Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS) is proud to announce Emma Buchanan has been appointed as the new federation chief executive, starting mid-February 2025.
Emma’s experience spans health, infrastructure and regional development portfolios and she has worked across all levels of government and with the private sector in Australia and abroad.
In her extensive work with Ernst and Young, Emma has a strong track record in shaping strategic national reforms, building investment cases and negotiating complex funding agreements.
Acting RFDS Federation board chair, Dr John O’Donnell has commented he is delighted Emma will be taking this position.
“She has an excellent reputation and track record interacting with the highest levels of government, media and political leaders to secure outcomes on health, infrastructure and regional development issues,“ he said.
“She has outstanding leadership credentials, having built high-performing, outcomes-focused and collaborative team cultures – and she is also a strong advocate for the bush, having started her career in agriculture and childhood in regional Australia.
“We are confident Emma will contribute greatly to the mission and values of the RFDS federation.”
Emma brings a strong understanding of regional, aviation and remote health issues and is also across the government agenda for addressing health care challenges in rural and remote areas.
In acknowledging the significance of the role, Emma said it is an absolute privilege to be appointed to her new position in such an extraordinary organisation with a deep history of serving regional and remote communities.
“I’m looking forward to working across the RFDS family to support the health, wellbeing and prosperity of people living in the bush,“ she said.
The RFDS Federation Board also wants to thank the outgoing federation executive director, Frank Quinlan, who has been in the role for five years and is now retiring to spend more time with family and friends.
Mr Quinlan arrived at the role as bushfires raged along the Australian Eastern Seaboard, and only weeks later a national pandemic was declared.
Frank guided the organisation through the RFDS COVID pandemic response which included the delivery of thousands of COVID vaccines to rural and remote Australia and working with the Australian Government to ensure delivery of the vaccination program, respiratory clinics and aeromedical retrievals across rural and remote Australia.
Frank’s dedication, patience and professionalism are second to none and we thank him and wish him the very best in his retirement.
