Telstra Health has appointed former NSW Health Director-General Mary Foley as its new managing director, taking over from inaugural MD Shane Solomon, who retires this month.

Dr Foley, who has an honorary doctorate from Western Sydney University and holds an adjunct professorship there, was NSW D-G – later renamed secretary – for five years. She began her career as a public servant before moving into the business sector, working for Mayne Nickless' diagnostics division as general manager.