Pacific Life Re has announced the appointment of Donna Earsman to the role of senior medical services consultant. Earsman will report to Mark Segreto, Pacific Life Re’s director of claims in Australia.

As senior medical services consultant, Earsman will focus on supporting the management and rehabilitation of mental health claims, staff development, and improved handling of mental-health claims. She will also help ensure that Pacific Life Re’s Claims Rules Engine includes strong mental-health protocols and frameworks to safeguard a considered and consistent practice.

Earsman brings more than 13 years of experience in life insurance and reinsurance to her new role, most recently as a senior technical analyst working across Suncorp’s retail and group insurance teams. Prior to this, she held a number of consultant positions with AIA, OnePath, and CommInsure. Earsman also has extensive experience in clinical, academic, and tribunal matters.

“There is a shift taking place in how the industry responds to mental health, and Donna’s role and specialist medical expertise will be key to improving outcomes for our clients and their customers,” said Andrew Gill, managing director Pacific Life Re Australia.