MELBOURNE, 26 November 2024 - Montu, Australia’s largest healthtech company dedicated to alternative healthcare, has appointed Jodie Thomas as Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Patient Advocacy. This strategic appointment highlights Montu’s intent to lead the medical cannabis sector in addressing systemic barriers to access, driving telehealth reform, and championing patient-first solutions.

Jodie brings over two decades of healthcare leadership experience to Montu, including her recent tenure as Senior Director of Patient Access, Public Affairs, and Policy for Oceania at Novo Nordisk. Recognised globally for her expertise, Jodie played a pivotal role in advancing market access and policy strategies for a number of treatments.

Montu Managing Director Christopher Strauch welcomed Jodie to the leadership team, highlighting her significant impact on the healthcare landscape.

“The medical cannabis industry is at a transformative crossroads, and Jodie’s appointment demonstrates Montu’s commitment to leading from the front,” he said.

“Her exceptional ability to unite patients, policymakers, and industry will be critical as we work to improve access and deliver meaningful change for Australians.”

In her new role, Jodie will lead Montu’s corporate strategy, external engagement, and patient advocacy initiatives, leveraging her deep expertise in market access, public affairs, and health policy.

“Joining Montu is an extraordinary opportunity to make a real difference in the lives of patients facing systemic challenges to healthcare access,’ Jodie said.

“Montu’s innovative and patient-first philosophy resonates deeply with me, and I look forward to contributing to the development of reforms that expand safe and effective access through telehealth, and deliver transformative solutions for patients nationwide.”

Jodie’s appointment comes as Montu intensifies its advocacy efforts, focusing on telehealth as a vital tool to improve patient access to medical cannabis where appropriately prescribed.

Her career includes leadership roles at Novo Nordisk, Novartis Oncology, and Eli Lilly, where she consistently delivered patient-centred strategies that bridged innovation with real-world impact. Jodie’s arrival reinforces Montu’s commitment to building a world-class team dedicated to shaping the future of medical cannabis in Australia and beyond.