A Health Economist with over 35 years experience in health planning and facility development, Rhonda has worked in both the private and public sectors.
Researching the impact of capital funding for hospitals on their operational performance led Rhonda to develop new metric for hospital investment. Her Ph.D. examined the role of capital investment in hospitals for delivering more appropriate, sustainable and innovative care. The research identified antiquated macroeconomic approaches to capital funding for hospitals undermines the efficiency of hospitals significantly. However, by investing in micro-economic efficiencies at the patient level improved patient outcomes, staff retention and operational efficiencies can be delivered. Currently she is applying her research to a diverse range of projects from the clinical pathways for stroke, enabling innovation into hospital ward design, to delivering evidence-base improvement to acute and chronic wound care.
In addition to her role as the Managing Director of Rhonda Kerr and Associates Health Planners, Rhonda is a Hon. Research Fellow of the University of Western Australia and the Director, Economics, Health Services and Planning for the Guidelines and Economists Network International (GENI).