‘Game-changer’ Kathryn ready to put NHS Wales on the global map

A Hywel Dda University Health Board executive is getting ready to put NHS Wales on the global healthcare map at a prestigious medicine and technology summit in Wyoming, USA, later this month.
Kathryn Davies, Executive Director of Commissioning, Therapies and Health Science, will represent the health board and NHS Wales at the Jackson Hole Breakthroughs in Medicine & Technology Summit between 31 July and 3 August.
The invitation-only event – hosted by Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, CEO of Nantworks, and Stefano Pessina, CEO of Walgreens Boots Alliance – has been convened to discuss breakthroughs in medicine and technology that will impact on humanity, industry and economy on a global basis.
With notable attendees including former US President, The Honourable Bill Clinton, NHS England CEO Simon Stevens and GlaxoSmithKline CEO Sir Andrew Witty, Kathryn says that she is looking forward to putting NHS Wales at the heart of the debate.
Having established a strong partnership and working relationship with Dr. Soon-Shiong – a world authority on genomic, proteomic and personalised medicine research and development – Kathryn is currently developing a collaboration plan to deliver cutting-edge genomics, molecular diagnostics and precision medicine at scale, which has been described as a revolutionary ‘game-changer’ in clinical practice.
She said: “It really is something I feel so passionately about; I want to represent NHS Wales and Hywel Dda University Health Board on a national and international stage, by describing the health system in Wales, what we’ve achieved so far, and the technological breakthroughs that are coming through.
“I will be bringing in elements around molecular diagnostics, genomic medicine and precision medicine, as well as how our Health Boards - in partnership with universities - are at the forefront of medical research. Our growing relationship with Nanthealth, and Dr. Patrick Soon-Shiong, is also an example of how developing partnerships globally can deliver change and ensure that Wales is up there with the very best in the world.
“My attendance at this unique event is a very exciting opportunity for me to really promote our health system. I completely intend to fly the Welsh flag - it’s a real opportunity to show that Wales is open for business and innovation, both in health care development terms and in technology development terms.”
During her stay, Kathryn will be discussing strategic planning and commissioning and delivery, and explaining the growing benefits realisation of integrated health systems at NHS Wales.
She added: “The summit is also a fantastic opportunity to discuss with a prestigious global audience of health and technology leaders the wider challenges of delivering world class healthcare against rising demands and changing needs.
“In Wales we have an integrated system and we need to place technology, innovation and research at the heart of what we do, and maximise the potential of this within our structure.
“To have the opportunity to network and to place both myself and NHS Wales as part of that global network is something I am very much looking forward to, as it will enable me to establish positive and strong working relationships, and on my return facilitate other colleagues from across NHS Wales and our university partners to also link up, so that the whole system benefits from this opportunity.”
Steve Moore, Chief Executive of Hywel Dda University Health Board, added: “We are proud and delighted that Kathryn has been personally invited by Dr. Soon-Shiong to represent Hywel Dda University Health Board and NHS Wales at such a prestigious event.
“Under Kathryn’s leadership, we expect Wales to be at the forefront of developing and delivering world-class medicine in the short, medium and long term, particularly in the field of Oncology service improvement.
“The leadership, energy and enthusiasm that Kathryn and her colleagues have shown is utterly inspiring, and her invitation to this summit rightly recognises the exciting, cutting-edge development work that her team are undertaking.”