ginger's thoughts

Silvia's blog

Embracing New Horizons at Coviu and Future Endeavours

Cross-posted from LinkedIn.

Embracing New Horizons at Coviu

Coviu has been the heart of my world for the past decade—first as a project at NICTA/CSIRO, and since 2018, as the proud CEO of the independent company. Today, I can announce that Coviu has evolved into a thriving entity capable of standing on its own feet without me at the helm. I’ve taken a step back as CEO, paving the way for a new leader to guide the company to its next level of success.

My incredible co-founder, engineer-exceptionelle, most level-headed person I know and dear friend Nathan Oehlman has been my partner-in-crime for the last decade and a core reason for the success of Coviu. Thanks for all the great work we’ve achieved together, mate!

As a founder, major shareholder, and director, I continue to hold Coviu dear to my heart. I am fully dedicated to supporting the business and Nathan during this transition as I scale down from a role that demanded 200% of my attention, care, and energy—not to mention, a fair share of my sleep and health. I’m delighted to pass on a thriving, profitable business with operations in the US and AU, along with ample financial reserves for the new CEO to explore innovative growth strategies.

What’s on the table for the new CEO

Establishing a successful healthcare technology company in Australia is no small feat, and I take immense pride in what Nathan and I have accomplished over the last five years since spinning out of the CSIRO. Pre-consolidation, post-pandemic, Coviu boasted a team of 55 across Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the US. We successfully secured Seed and Series A investments, resulting in a remarkable 10x valuation increase for our initial investors. Today, we support over 100,000 clinicians and have touched the lives of more than 10 million patients through our incredible customers—a feat that truly warms my heart.

Our diverse customer base includes the Australian government via various state education departments, Healthdirect (state and federal health departments), and Leidos (defense department). We also service not-for-profit healthcare organisations, universities, and a wide range of for-profit healthcare entities. Coviu has become a household name in Australia’s digital health landscape and is making strides in the US, particularly in the special education sector.

Because of the challenges posed by post-pandemic global economies, including high inflation and interest rates, and a cautious approach to investment, Coviu has successfully navigated through consolidation and is net profitable. The company stands in an excellent position, with funds available for growth projects, ready for the capable hands of a professional CEO to usher in its next chapter.

I’m also immensely grateful for the great team and culture that we have built. I leave behind a lot of great colleagues and friends, and I have no doubt that the team will rally behind the new CEO to take Coviu to the next level.

What’s next for me

As I transition into a non-executive director role at Coviu and step away from operational duties, I’m eager to embrace new challenges. With a background in efficient technology setup, startup insights, and a deep understanding of healthcare’s digital evolution, I see a myriad of opportunities ahead.

I intend to stay in healthcare as I love the impact that this industry has on people’s lives. I am passionate about supporting healthtech startups, particularly those founded by women, to develop impactful and commercially viable solutions. I want to contribute my knowledge about technology and tech standards to digitally empower Australia’s healthcare system to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

Efficient use of resources through operationally effective organisation design has been a core part of the success of Coviu—a need I observed in countless healthcare organisations. I’m incredibly excited about what FHIR and AI will allow us to do when combined with a highly productive healthcare workforce.

Above all, I want to make a positive difference. As 2024 unfolds, my plans are wide open and I am curious about what challenges the New Year has in store for me!