Berne Gibbons

Berne Gibbons is a transformational leader and recognised influencer in Australia’s healthcare and life sciences sector. 

With over 40 years experience spanning clinical practice, beginning her career as a registered nurse, which gave her a deep appreciation for the realities of patient care.

That frontline experience has shaped everything she has done since, from leading pharmaceutical launches at GlaxoSmithKline, where she successfully brought two medicines to the PBS, to driving digital health innovation across Australia and has become a trusted authority on interoperability, governance, and the future of connected care.

Berne is a Director on the Board of Standards Australia (from January 2025), served as a Board Director at the Digital Health Co-operative Research Centre (serving on the Audit, Risk, Privacy & Finance Committee August 2022 - 2025), and Associate Professor of Industry at UTS Sydney’s Faculty of Health (2011-present) and continues to build global bridges between health innovators, regulators, and providers.

Widely regarded as a change agent, Berne has been instrumental in shaping Australia’s digital health standards, co-authoring national telehealth frameworks, and driving interoperability initiatives through the Australian Digital Health Agency.

Her leadership has supported the adoption of safer, smarter digital medical record systems, the expansion of telehealth reimbursement, and the development of national guiding principles for digital health procurement and standards adoption.

An engaging and sought-after speaker, Berne contributes thought leadership at national and international forums, where she challenges entrenched barriers to innovation and champions patient-centred technology adoption.

Recognised as one of AFR’s 100 Women of Influence, she continues to influence policy, governance, and industry collaboration to ensure digital health delivers measurable outcomes for clinicians and patients alike.