The Chief Medical Officer for Wales has taken up her new role.
Dr Ruth Hussey has succeeded Dr Tony Jewell who retired in August.
The Chief Medical Officer provides independent professional advice and guidance to the Welsh Government on health and healthcare matters.
Dr Hussey was born in North Wales, where she lived until she went to university. She has been Regional Director of Public Health, NHS North West since 2006 and is currently seconded to the Public Health England Transition Team at the Department of Health where she is leading the transition of public health to local government.
Previous posts have included director of health strategy/medical director at Cheshire and Merseyside Strategic Health Authority and acting director of public health/medical Director at Greater Manchester Strategic Health Authority.
Dr Hussey, whose early clinical training took place in hospitals and general practice, has also held the posts of director of public health for Liverpool and senior lecturer in public health at Liverpool University.
She said: “I’m delighted to start work in Wales. I’m looking forward to contributing to the work of the Welsh Government, addressing the challenges of improving the health and well being of the population and supporting the provision of high-quality healthcare.
“I’m looking forward to making a difference in a role which ranges from tackling the causes of illness, to caring for people.
“Building on Dr Jewell’s extensive work, I’ll be working to put prevention at the heart of healthcare, and to promote improved quality of care across Wales.
“It’s a broad role, reflecting the breadth of solutions needed to address the health and well being challenges we face in Wales. Everyone has a part to play so building relationships and integrated approaches will be critical to success.
“I am honoured to have the opportunity to serve the people of Wales in this role and I am committed to doing all I can to improve health and well being in the 21st century.”
Health Minister Lesley Griffiths AM said: “I’m pleased to welcome Dr Hussey to Wales. She has extensive experience at a senior level, and is well placed to lead the NHS during the period of change ahead. It is an exciting time to be working in health in Wales, and I know she will build on Dr Jewell’s work to help us create the conditions for healthier lifestyles and improved healthcare for all.”