Our Team
Adjunct Professor Annette Solman, Chief Executive
Annette is one of NSW’s senior health leaders with significant experience in health management, nursing, inter-professional education, culture change, leadership development, facilitation, quality improvement and research. She commenced as Chief Executive in June 2015.
Initially trained as a registered nurse, Annette has had a rich and diverse career across many roles and functions in health. She is particularly interested in person-centered care and its application in educational program design to enhance workforce practices.
Annette is focused on strengthening relationships between HETI and our health and academic partners to lead innovative and contemporary education and training for improved health outcomes.
Annette has published in a range of journals and is a member of the International Practice Development Journal Editorial Board.
Annette has a number of qualifications that include a Masters in Research, Nursing; Bachelor of Health Science, Diploma Health Science Nursing and is Adjunct Professor at the University of Sydney and the University of Technology, Sydney.
Dr Susan Grimes, Director, Mental Health And Higher Education
Susan is a passionate and experienced educator within multiple contexts. Within Mental Health and Higher Education the major focus is the transformation of our postgraduate mental health programs to accommodate increased flexibility and relevance for health professionals. She is leading the academic and training teams in the re-imagining of the boundaries between education and training, to empower students through provision of stackable credentials for professional development, and development of learning pathways for formal qualification and professional development purposes.
Susan is engaged in a number of projects to identify and develop pathways for health professionals that support improved mental health practice.
Maggie Crowley, Director, Professional Practice and Interprofessional Collaboration
Maggie has extensive experience within the broader health system in senior roles in strategic workforce planning, workforce development, educational design and development, research and evaluation. This has included working across rural health services as well as the Ministry of Health.
Maggie’s experience in the education industry includes managing teaching units for TAFE and private training consultancies, senior leadership roles in Australian National University, University of Sydney (Department of Rural Health), and skills training Councils. Maggie also established and managed her own Registered Training Organisation.
Maggie’s passion is for excellence in contemporary education and equity and access for rural health professionals to education opportunities.
Maggie holds a Master of Health Policy, postgraduate qualifications in Population Health Research Methods and a Bachelor of Business, as well as undergraduate qualifications in training and assessment.
Dr Claire Blizard, Medical Director
Dr Claire Blizard brings a wealth of both clinical and managerial experience to HETI and its Medical portfolio.
Claire has previously held positions as Director of Medical Services, Director of Acute Medical Service, Chief Executive and Director Clinical Practice and Innovation.
Claire has a passion for health education and a strong belief that it is every person’s responsibility to train the next generation.
Claire is registered with the Medical Board of Australia and has a Masters in Health Management and a Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators.
Associate Professor Gail Forrest, Director, Leadership, Management Development and Educational Design
Gail is an accomplished leader and manager with a distinguished track record of driving innovation, fostering positive team dynamics, and achieving strategic objectives in healthcare education. She has held several senior healthcare education positions both in Australia and Scotland. Prior to joining HETI she was Postgraduate Director in the Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney.
Gail's academic journey is marked by a Masters in Educational Research, postgraduate certificates in Higher Education Teaching and Learning, and Health Service Management (Quality and Safety). As an AHPRA Registered Nurse and Course Director for the Australian Resuscitation Council, Gail maintains a strong connection to the healthcare sector. Additionally, she is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
Driven by a strong passion and commitment to fostering excellence in education, Gail is dedicated to advancing healthcare education and contributing to HETI's vision of delivering high-quality education and training services to the healthcare sector.
Gail holds an adjunct Associate Professor position at University of Technology Sydney.