Darling Downs health board to benefit from broad experience

A respected academic with a wealth of experience in business and governance has become the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board’s newest member.

Minister for Health and Ambulance Services Cameron Dick welcomed University of Southern Queensland Professor Julie Cotter to the health board, saying her experience would be of great benefit to the region.

Her USQ colleague Dr Ruth Terwijn, a registered nurse, has also been reappointed for another term on the board.

The remainder of the nine-person board remains unchanged.

Mr Dick said the board, chaired by former Minister for Health and local MP Mike Horan AM, had provided strong leadership in the delivery of health services in Toowoomba and across the Darling Downs, overseeing an operating budget of $674.5 million for 2016-17.

“The board welcomes Professor Julie Cotter, who is Director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development at USQ and brings expertise in finance, governance and agribusiness,” the Minister said.

“Professor Cotter has also previously served as a member of the neighbouring West Moreton Hospital and Health Board between September 2012 and March 2015.

“The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board is a diverse group, with six women and three men – all with a range of backgrounds, experience and skills – combining to ensure the broader community is well-represented in the health space.

“I look forward to working all board members towards achieving the goal of making Queensland’s health system the best in Australia.”

Mr Dick said 33 people nominated Darling Downs as their preferred board during a public expression of interest process and the task of selecting candidates was a tough one.

The 16 boards throughout Queensland are responsible under the Hospital and Health Board Act 2011 for local performance of their health services and the delivery of public health services within their communities.

The board appointments will take effect on 18 May 2017.

A complete list of all Hospital and Health Board appointments has been published in the 12 May 2017 edition of the Queensland Government Gazette.

Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board

Mr Michael Horan AM (Chair) is former Health Minister and Member for Toowoomba South – currently appointed until 17/05/2019

Dr Dennis Campbell (Deputy Chair) has been Chief Executive Officer in both the public and private sectors and served on numerous boards and advisory committees – currently appointed until 17/05/2019

Ms Cheryl Dalton is a former councillor in South Burnett Regional Council and Kingaroy Shire Council.– currently appointed until 17/05/2018

Dr Ross Hetherington is a medical practitioner and a Design Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) – currently appointed until 17/05/2018

Ms Patricia Leddington-Hill is a rural healthcare expert, with more than 10 years’ experience with RHealth, a primary health care organisation servicing the Darling Downs and South West Queensland – currently appointed until 17/05/2018

Mrs Marie Pietsch is a healthcare expert, with extensive experience across the Darling Downs region – currently appointed until 17/05/2019

Ms Megan O’Shannessy is a registered nurse with extensive clinical and leadership experience in rural health – currently appointed until 17/05/2019

Dr Ruth Terwijn a registered nurse and academic who started her nursing career at St Vincent’s Hospital, Toowoomba – reappointed until 17/05/2020

Professor Julie Cotter is a Director (Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development) at the University of Southern Queensland– new appointment until 17/05/2020

ENDS

Media contact: Michelle Wellington 0437 323 834