“I don’t like saying I’m a hospital CEO - healthcare management takes a team.” In this candid conversation, Cara Miller, CEO of North Eastern Community Hospital (and current National Chairperson of AHPRA), shares how she’s challenging the status quo with a patient-centred, staff-first, tech-enabled model of care.
Cara traces her path from sick kid turned St John Cadet to radiographer and sonographer - then the defining moment that set her leadership compass: pausing a routine scan to properly care for an unexpected twin pregnancy, even when the system pushed for speed and profit over patient care. That became her blueprint: respect the patient, invest in people, and build systems that make the right thing the easy thing.
We dig into how she embraces regulation (don’t evade it - innovate within it), the practical role of AI and automation to put attention back on patients, and the culture shifts that keep hospitals human (from greeting night-shift cleaners to flattening hierarchy while staying accountable). Cara’s leadership mantras land hard and useful: tackle the hardest problem first, don’t be afraid to lead, and her mic-drop: “If you’re not using data to inform decisions, you’re not making good decisions.”
In this episode:
1. The moment that mattered: choosing patient dignity over throughput and why people → patients → profit (in that order).
2. Innovation inside the rules: embracing regulators and making compliance-by-design the engine of improvement.
3. Tech that gives time back: AI note - taking, smarter workflows, and the non-negotiable human touch.
4. Team, not titles: building high performance through gratitude, visibility and clear accountability.
5. Put a bounce back in your step: the importance of surrounding yourself with like-minded people.
6. Networking without the ick: lead with generosity, make it a safe space, and invite the introverts in.
7. Leadership with courage: tough calls, constrained budgets, and data dashboards that keep you honest.
Even the best ideas need backing. Westpac has doubled its Female Entrepreneurs Fund to $1B and offers the Startup Business Loan, apply with your business plan and budget projections for up to $50K unsecured. Learn more: search “Westpac supporting female founders.” Eligibility, credit criteria, fees & charges, and T&Cs apply. General advice only.
Helpful links:
Discover more about our hosts, Kelly and Anna by visiting www.edibleblooms.com.au and www.palasjewellery.com
If this episode lifted you, hit Follow, drop a quick comment and share it with someone who’s building better systems for people.