Dr Donna Ah Chee has been appointed chief executive officer of the Aboriginal Medical Services Alliance Northern Territory (AMSANT), marking a significant moment for Aboriginal community-controlled health leadership in the Northern Territory.
A nationally respected advocate and one of Australia's most experienced Aboriginal health executives, Dr Ah Chee brings decades of knowledge, strategic insight and community driven leadership to the role.
Dr Ah Chee is currently the chief executive officer of Central Australian Aboriginal Congress (Congress), one of the nation's largest and most influential Aboriginal community controlled primary health care services.
Congress delivers comprehensive, culturally informed primary health care in Mparntwe/Alice Springs and across multiple remote communities, employing more than 500 staff and positioning itself as a leading model of Aboriginal community led health delivery.
Under Dr Ah Chee's leadership, Congress has strengthened integrated care, public health initiatives, and community-based services that respond to the needs and priorities of Aboriginal families.
Originally from the Bundjalung Nation of northern New South Wales, Dr Ah Chee has lived and worked in Central Australia for more than three decades.
Throughout her career she has established a strong national reputation for her advocacy, her deep understanding of community-controlled health, and her ability to influence systems reform.
She has been a steadfast voice in efforts to close the gap in health outcomes and has long championed culturally grounded approaches to primary health care, public health, and workforce development.
Dr Ah Chee's governance and sector leadership experience is extensive. She has served as CEO of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation, as chairperson of AMSANT, as chair of the Northern Territory Aboriginal Health Forum, and as the inaugural independent chair of the Northern Territory Children and Families Tripartite Forum.
Across these roles she has worked to strengthen accountability, expand Aboriginal community control, and improve coordination across government and non-government systems.
Her contributions have been recognised through several honours, including the 2022 Honorary Doctor of Arts awarded by Charles Darwin University for her significant impact on the health and wellbeing of First Nations peoples.
More recently, she was named the 2024 recipient of the Menzies Medallion, the highest honour awarded by Menzies School of Health Research, acknowledging her outstanding leadership in Aboriginal health advocacy in the Northern Territory.
AMSANT Chair Rob McPhee said the organisation is delighted to welcome such an accomplished leader.
"Dr Ah Chee brings a wealth of experience and passion to the role as a CEO with a proven track record in the Aboriginal health sector," he said.
"Our AMSANT recently celebrated its 30th anniversary and we have an ambitious new strategic plan. Dr Ah Chee is the right person to lead AMSANT at this important time and we look forward to working with her to close the gap for Aboriginal people in the Northern Territory."
Dr Ah Chee will transition into the role in 2026, further strengthening the Territory's community-controlled health sector and its commitment to delivering high quality, culturally safe primary health care.
