Heidi Donald, a former Althea executive and ex-chief executive of One Health Medical Clinics, is preparing to open her own telehealth venture, pledging to prioritise "clinical integrity rather than volume" in a sector she says has lost its way.
Donald previously held a commercial leadership role at Althea before taking the top job at One Health, the clinic division of Whole Life Pharmacy & Health.
Speaking in an interview, Donald confirmed she is in the final stages of launching High Ground Clinics after departing One Health in mid-2025, with physical locations planned within the next 12 months. The clinic will open with three doctors on staff.
While building the business, Donald said she drew on advice from a number of industry figures, including the founders of Aura Therapeutics.
The question of brands forging closer ties with clinics has been in focus recently, after it emerged that Endoca and NectarTek Australia have taken stakes in Triniti Health in collaboration with distribution firm Aeris.
Donald was quick to play down Aura's role, making clear the brand holds no financial interest in her new venture.
Filings with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC) show Donald holds a 50% stake in the business alongside Joshua Nicolaou, the product development and supply co-ordinator at Dispensed. It is understood, however, that Nicolaou is no longer part of the venture.
Donald said of Aura's involvement: "Aura is one of a number of brands I speak with regularly. I know the owners well and have worked with them over a couple of years, one has helped me across different parts of the business… [but] Aura does not hold any equity in the business."
Aura director Brad Reilly described the relationship with Donald as informal, while acknowledging the commercial logic in backing a clinic led by someone the company trusts.
"We're basically helping her with formulary," Reilly said. "It's in our interest to get High Ground up and running. That's kind of the extent of our involvement, at least as we sit here today. What it evolves into, no idea.
"Clinics don't always try to offer the best price, so having another clinic out there with people we know is the aim of the game."
When asked how High Ground intended to compete against the low-cost telehealth providers that currently dominate the market, Donald said the clinic would differentiate itself through longer consultations and higher clinical standards rather than chasing patient numbers.
"There's space for a model built on clinical integrity rather than volume," she said.
High Ground is expected to open within a month.
