Dr Ardiana Gjini appointed Director of Public Health

Dr Ardiana Gjini has been appointed as the Executive Director for Public Health at Hywel Dda University Health Board.

Dr Gjini, who will begin her new post on 1 July 2023, brings over 20 years’ experience of working in health and care services across the NHS, civil service, local government, academia, as well as overseas work in humanitarian emergencies.

Her most recent roles have been with Public Health Wales as the Consultant Lead for the Cancer Screening programmes and, during the pandemic response, took on increased responsibilities in health protection, as a Consultant in Communicable Disease Control.

Steve Moore, Chief Executive at Hywel Dda University Health Board said: “We are delighted to have appointed Ardiana in this pivotal role. Her experience, skills, drive and enthusiasm for public health will help to lead us into the healthier future we want for our local communities. I know everyone will join me in warmly welcoming her into the Hywel Dda family as she begins to meet and work with people across the organisation.

“I wish to take the opportunity to thank Dr Jo McCarthy who ably took on the responsibilities of the role on an interim basis.”

Ardiana said: “I feel honoured and excited to be taking the role of the Executive Director of Public Heath for the health board. I am passionate about transforming services for the benefit of people’s health, a key part of the health board’s wider strategy – ‘A Healthier Mid and West Wales’.

“As we recover from the COVID-19 pandemic, I look forward to leading our local public health team and working with our partners and stakeholders to strengthen and improve programmes and services that we know have a significant impact on people’s health. It is through focusing on preventing ill health and enabling healthy living that together we can provide the very best and high quality services that are accessible for those in need.”

“The impact of the pandemic is far-stretching and will be long lasting, way beyond the direct effect of Covid-19 in people’s health. I will be working with our communities and our local and national partners to enhance the sustainable and resilient approaches to healthy lives, focusing our efforts to support the most vulnerable.

Dr Gjini, who grew up and trained as a doctor in Kosovo, developed an interest for preventative public health approaches to medicine during the 1990s Balkan wars and built a passion for the UK public health profession working with colleagues as part of the World Health Organisation. She came to the UK in early 2000s to further her professional development, completing her Master of Public Health at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, her PhD and Public Health Speciality Training, and taking on local and regional consultant and academic roles. She maintains her academic interest working closely in research and teaching with colleagues at Cardiff University, and is looking to collaborate with universities in west Wales.