Carol Atmore, a GP at Mornington Health Centre and a health researcher, replaces inaugural independent chairman, University of Otago professor of health policy Robin Gauld, who stepped down after being named dean of the business school.
Alliance South brings together the Southern District Health Board and WellSouth primary health network, with the aim of improving integration of health services.
Her time as chief medical officer at West Coast DHB made the Alliance South role attractive, Dr Atmore said.
"On the West Coast I was involved with redesigning the way we provided healthcare so that hospital, primary care and community facilities were working together more closely to improve the way we provided care.
"I really like what is in the primary and community care strategy and I’m very keen to see that put into place, because I think that will really help people to get better care."
The SDHB and WellSouth consultation on its primary care plan ended recently, and expressions of interest in setting up the first "healthcare homes" — hubs for health services — were sought last month.
Combined with Thursday’s Budget increasing funding for primary care, it was a good time to taking the helm at Alliance South, Dr Atmore said.
"In addition, for the Dunedin hospital rebuild to be successful what happens outside the hospital and out in the regions is critical," she said.
"Those things need to support each other ... to make sure a person gets the care they need as close to home as possible and that is across the board, it’s about integrating how we provide services.
"It’s about getting hospital and primary care services working together so care can be provided well."