May 12, 2017
A University of South Queensland academic is the latest appointment to the Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board, the organisation which oversees all South Burnett public hospitals.
Health Minister Cameron Dick said Professor Julie Cotter’s 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 – which includes former South Burnett councillor Cheryl Dalton – remains unchanged.
It is chaired by former Health Minister Mike Horan.
Mr Dick said the Board 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 Prof Julie Cotter, who is Director of the Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development at USQ and brings expertise in finance, governance and agribusiness,” Mr Dick said.
“Prof 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 had been 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 May 18.
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The Darling Downs Hospital and Health Board now consists of:
- Mr Michael Horan AM (Chair) is former Health Minister and Member for Toowoomba South – currently appointed until May 17, 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 May 17, 2019
- Ms Cheryl Dalton is a former councillor on South Burnett Regional Council and Kingaroy Shire Council. and is CEO of SBcare – currently appointed until May 17, 2018
- Dr Ross Hetherington is a medical practitioner and a Design Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME) – currently appointed until May 17, 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 May 17, 2018
- Mrs Marie Pietsch is a healthcare expert, with experience across the Darling Downs region – currently appointed until May 17, 2019
- Ms Megan O’Shannessy is a registered nurse with clinical and leadership experience in rural health – currently appointed until May 17, 2019
- Dr Ruth Terwijn a registered nurse and academic who started her nursing career at St Vincent’s Hospital, Toowoomba – reappointed until May 17, 2020
- Prof Julie Cotter is a Director (Australian Centre for Sustainable Business and Development) at the University of Southern Queensland – new appointment until May 17, 2020
Are these Board Members volunteers representing and supporting their communities best interests or are they paid?