After more than thirty years supporting Australia’s top athletes as they reached the world stage, Dr Susan White AM, Chief Medical Officer and Director of Performance Health Services at the Victorian Institute of Sport (VIS), has announced she will step down December 31, 2026. Her career includes five Olympic Games, three Paralympic Games, and a lifelong commitment to protecting the integrity of sport.
Since joining the institute in 2020, Dr White has led Performance Health Services, the team that keeps athletes healthy and ready to compete in more than 45 Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth Games sports.
Dr White’s work was again on the world stage at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games, where she was Team Australia’s Chief Medical Officer. Australia led the medal table with 171 medals, including 70 gold. Of those, 49 VIS-supported athletes won 32 medals, including 15 gold.
Dr White has a wealth of experience at major sporting events. She has attended five Olympic Games, three Paralympic Games, and many Commonwealth Games and World Championships, serving as Team Physician and Medical Director, among other roles. She has also served on the Australian Olympic and Paralympic medical committees, international medical commissions, organising committees, and in anti-doping roles.
For Dr White, working with the athletes has always been the greatest reward.
“I feel very fortunate to have spent my career doing something I love, working alongside so many great people. The athletes have always been at the centre of what I do, and having the opportunity to support them throughout their careers has been incredibly rewarding.”
Outside of competition, Dr White has been one of Australia’s most trusted voices in clean sport. She has held many roles and made important contributions, including serving on the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) Therapeutic Use Exemption Expert Group and helping draft the 2027 update to WADA’s International Standard for Therapeutic Use Exemptions.
Her influence on athlete care goes far beyond any single team. As a long-time member of the Sports Medicine Australia (SMA) Women in Sport committee, Dr White played a key role in developing the Exercise in Pregnancy guidelines, including the first advice on playing contact sport during pregnancy.
Her work has been recognised at the highest level, and she was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for her services to sports medicine and anti-doping.
Nicole Livingstone AO OLY, VIS CEO, said Dr White’s knowledge will continue to shape the next generation of Victorian elite athletes for years to come.
“Sue’s care has supported athletes at sport’s pinnacle events, and her leadership in anti-doping has helped protect the integrity of sport here and around the world,” Livingstone said.
As VIS athletes look ahead to the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the French Alps 2030 Winter Games, and a home Games in 2032, the VIS have commenced expressions of interests for the VIS Chief Medical Officer position.
Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their EOI by COB Tuesday 24 November 2026.
The VIS welcomes early and confidential conversation about the role, how it could be structured and how it might fit your career.
If you have any questions please reach out to Daniel Simons, Director People & Community via [email protected] for a confidential discussion.
