Support & Wellbeing

Chief Medical Officer

Dr Abi Arul

Abi joined Western Health in January 2022 as a Deputy Chief Medical Officer before stepping into the role of Chief Medical Officer (Acting) in November 2022.

Abi graduated with Honours from the University of Liverpool, in the UK in 2005 and has worked as a junior doctor both in the UK and in a variety of hospitals here in Victoria. She has also worked as GP prior to doing her Fellowship training with the Royal College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) and completing a Masters in Health Administration (MHA).

She has a keen interest in junior doctor wellbeing and is a member of the PMCV Workforce Committee and an accredited surveyor for prevocational training in Victoria. Abi is also an advocate for equity and inclusion in healthcare and the promotion of women in leadership.

A/Prof David Smallwood

David joined Western Health in 2021 as DCMO. He joined us from Austin Health, where he was Director of General Medicine for 3 years. David is a Respiratory and General Physician and completed a PhD on airway remodelling in long standing asthma, and is an Associate Professor in Medical Education at the University of Melbourne. David has a strong interest in quality and safety, and has chaired the Communicating for Safety Committee at 2 health services. David is completing his RACMA fellowship and Masters of Health Leadership and Management.

Medical Workforce Unit

The Western Health Medical Workforce Unit (MWU) supports junior medical staff with recruitment, on-boarding, rosters, leave and timesheets. Information about the MWU team is available on our Workforce page.

Medical Education Unit

The Western Health Medical Education Unit (MEU) supports pre-vocational doctors with education, training, orientation and career planning. Information about the MEU team is available on our Education page.