Our people
On this page:
Our Board
Board of Directors
Brisbane South PHN is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of experienced health professionals and accomplished business experts who have a wealth of experience working in our region.
Board biographies
Ms Renee Blackman (Board Director)
Renee is a proud member of the Gubbi Gubbi (Kabi Kabi) nation and is a passionate advocate for the health and wellbeing of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Her career began with the role of Aboriginal Health Worker in the early 1990s in Brisbane. She gained a Bachelor of Nursing from Australian Catholic University in 2000 and has worked in urban and remote settings ever since as a Registered Nurse.
Renee has over 30 years’ experience in operational, management and leadership roles across primary health care, acute care and community health.
In 2016 Renee was the Health Services Director at ATSICHS Brisbane and is now the Chief Executive Officer for ATSICHS Brisbane. Additionally, Renee is a Clinical Fellow in the Faculty of Health, School of Nursing at Queensland University of Technology.
Ms Fiona Evans (Chair)
Fiona commenced her career with PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and qualified as a chartered accountant before gaining post-graduate qualifications in marketing. She is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Governance Institute of Australia.
Fiona is an experienced director in mental and allied health, aged care and NDIS organisations ranging in size from $40m to $200m turnover and 15 to 1500 employees. She brings risk assessment, analysis and operational accountability to all phases of board governance and strategy. Fiona has a strong belief in community involvement and a passion for making a difference.
Mr Nino (Anthony) Di Marco
Mr Di Marco is the former CEO of the Royal Flying Doctor Service (QLD Section) (RFDS) holding the position until 2018 after 12 years’ service. As part of his former role within the RFDS, he sat on the National Executive of the RFDS National Organisation. He has over 25-years’ experience in executive leadership and management in a number sectors including health, finance, and NFP sectors.
Mr Di Marco has over 10 years’ experience as a Board Director, including Board Member and Deputy Chair of the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital Foundation, and Non-Executive Director roles as Chair of a number of companies.
Mr Di Marco holds an Economics degree from the University of New England, and a Post Graduate Diploma in Finance and Investment. He is also a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Ms Kay Toshach
Kay has over 30 years of experience in public healthcare. She has been responsible for leading a range of broad change initiatives including workforce and performance models, critical service partnerships, planning frameworks, corporate governance models and innovative infrastructure planning projects.
For the past decade, Kay has focused on strategic health service planning and the delivery of major capital projects for Metro South Health Service; one of the largest in Queensland.
As past Board Secretary and Health Service Executive, Kay has strategic capability to identify and align health service need, investment planning and capital requirements in organisation and project planning.
Kay currently works in the private sector and continues to focus on health service, health infrastructure and health sustainability planning.
Associate Professor Chris Freeman
Associate Professor Freeman is an established leader with a strong track record in the primary care sector. He currently works as a Consultant Practice Pharmacist at Camp Hill Healthcare in Brisbane’s south and as a Clinical Associate Professor at the University of Queensland.
Associate Professor Freeman graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmacy from James Cook University and has gone onto complete a Graduate Diploma in Clinical Pharmacy and a PhD from the University of Queensland. In 2012, Associate Professor Freeman became the first Australian pharmacist to obtain specialisation in ambulatory care pharmacy under the Board of Pharmacy Specialties (USA) and in 2015 was a part of the initial cohort credentialed as Advanced Practice Pharmacists.
Associate Professor Freeman has served on the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia’s Board since 2015, appointed as National Vice President in 2016, and National President and Board Chair in 2018. Other past governance roles include Directorship of the Australian Association of Consultant Pharmacy and as a member of the Brisbane South PHN’s Clinical Advisory Council.
Dr Dana Newcomb
Dr Dana Newcomb is a General Practitioner with an interest in health system improvement and reform. Her broad knowledge of the health care sector has been built over a 25-year career, spanning roles in mainstream general practice, school-based settings, not-for-profit community clinics, and Queensland Health.
She currently works as the Medical Director of Integrated Care at Children’s Health Queensland Hospital and Health Service. This role encompasses research translation, and the development and trialling of new models of care which aim to reduce health inequities. She and her team also deliver clinical education and support for GPs and other health care providers.
Dr Newcomb obtained her medical degree at the University of Queensland, is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, holds a Diploma in Child Health from the University of Sydney, and has completed the Company Directors Course with the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
Dr Dilip Dhupelia
Trained in Dublin, Ireland, Dr Dhupelia immigrated to Queensland as a Registrar at Toowoomba Hospital and subsequently Medical Superintendent at Millmerran (1978-1982) and then practised in Toowoomba (1982-2005) as a Rural Generalist Obstetrician.
Since 2010, Dr Dhupelia works at Queensland Health as the Director of Medical and Clinical Services of Queensland Country Practice, Queensland Rural Medical Service. Dr Dhupelia has operational responsibility of the successful Queensland Rural Generalist Program. Dilip is currently Co-Chair of the Jurisdictional Forum coordinating the roll out of the National Rural Generalist Program in Australia.
Additionally, he works as a part time general practitioner in Toowong, Brisbane.
His other current leadership roles include:
- Chair of AMA Queensland Foundation
- Board Director, General Practice Training Queensland
- Member of the AMAQ Council of General Practice
- Chair of the QIP Impartiality Committee of the AGPAL Group of Companies
Past roles:
- AMA Queensland – Past President and Board Director
- Member of Federal AMA Council
- Member of AMA Queensland Council
- Member of the Federal AMA Council of Rural Doctors
- Member of the Clinical Advisory Group of Brisbane North Primary Health Network
- Board Chair and Board Director of General Practice Queensland/CheckUP
- Board Chair of the GP Connections (Division of General Practice) Toowoomba
- Senior Medical Advisor, Medicare Australia
Ms Kerrie Mahon
Kerrie has over 28 years of expertise leading health and human services, including primary care, community health, hospitals, community relationship and family support services and specialist disability services.
Kerrie has served on the Board of Relationships Australia, Queensland, and is currently an Honorary, Associate Adjunct Professor for the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University.
As an experienced CEO and Director, she brings experience in leadership of complex health and human services, as well as expertise in corporate governance, strategy, risk management, clinical governance, and research.
Our structure
Our organisational structure was adopted to align with our strategic plan and ensure we are well-placed to respond effectively to known and emerging community health care and health system needs. The structure allows Brisbane South PHN to identify community needs, engage and work with primary health care providers and local communities to identify health priorities and take action to improve regional health outcomes.
Our councils
Brisbane South PHN has two councils that provide expert advice and recommendations to the Board on a range of clinical and community issues. The Board uses the Council’s guidance to inform decision-making and assist in developing strategies that respond to specific regional health needs.
Our Clinical Advisory Council
The Clinical Advisory Council is GP-led and advises the Board on clinical and operational issues. Key focus areas for the Council include:
- identifying regional strategies to improve the operation of the health care system for patients
- facilitating more effective and integrated primary health care networks to reduce avoidable hospital attendance
- identifying strategic, cost-effective investment and innovation opportunities to improve health services.
Clinical Advisory Council members
In addition to General Practitioners, the Council comprises other health professionals including nurses, allied health professionals, community and Aboriginal health workers, medical specialists and hospital representatives.
Dr Dana Newcomb (Chair) | ||
---|---|---|
Dr Terry Nash | Dr Peter Adkins | Dr Kuinileti Wai |
Aleysha Martin | Belinda Diers-Hahn | Dr Suzanne Williams |
Shayne Dearling | Jocelyn Eng | Ylishavai Ngateejah |
Dr Margaret Kay | Robin Tang | Leanne Papas |
Kate Irwin | Dr Juergen Landmann | Andy Bell |
Dr Niraj Shekhawatia | Dr Rebecca Levy | |
Our Community Advisory Council
The Community Advisory Council advises the Board on community and consumer issues. Key focus areas for the Council include:
- identifying local strategies to improve the operation and integration of the health care system for patients
- promoting and facilitating more effective patient-centred care throughout the primary health care network and decision-making processes
- identifying cost-effective, locally relevant investment and innovation opportunities that align with the values, needs and expectations of the local community.
Community Advisory Council members
This Council reflects the diversity of our regional population with members representing a broad spectrum of our community. Other organisations, including non-government organisations and private companies, and individuals may attend Council meetings by invitation to provide advice and direction for specific local initiatives.
Ms Kay Toshach (Chair) | ||
Debbie Cowan | Ashanthi Jayasekera | Jordan Frith |
Kathryn Cramp | Kate Crowley-Smith | Jacqui Williams |
Dr Geoffrey Woolcock | Ken Chow | Gaylene Ahipene |
Faysel Selat | Charlene Lock | Faiza El-Higzi |
Blaise Itabelo | Kellie Griffiths | Edwin Lubari |
Rachel Makepeace | Beryl Meiklejohn | Semah Mokak-Wishchki |
Sanam Ahmadzada | Tile Imo | Erin Cameron |
Our leadership team
Brisbane South PHN’s leadership team are experienced and well-respected professionals in their fields with demonstrated skills in providing strategic leadership and working collaboratively across the health sector to respond to the local health needs of our region.
Our leadership team
Chief Executive Officer
Read Mike’s bio
Mike is an experienced CEO and senior health care executive officer with experience in working for not for profit, publicly listed and private companies both in Australia and in the United Kingdom.
Over a 30 year career, Mike has overseen the delivery of aged care services (both community based and residential), community mental health services, children and family support services, homelessness outreach initiatives, carer support programs and community health education schemes. He has held senior roles with FKP (Aveo), Prime, Eureka and Gateway Lifestyle, in addition to aged care organisations PresCare and TriCare.
Mike has an Honours Degree in Business and a Master in Public Health from the University of Queensland.
General Manager Primary Health
Read Katelin’s bio
Katelin is passionate about translating science into change, especially to improve health equity.
Katelin has held leadership positions in the Queensland BBV/STI sector for the past 7 years, including most recently as CEO of Hepatitis Queensland.
Katelin holds a Bachelor of Science, an MBA and a PhD in medical research from the University of Queensland where she also contributes as a member of their ChangeMakers alumni advisory board.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer and General Manager Corporate Services
Read Julie’s bio
Julie has more than 20 years experience in managing corporate services related functions; governance and service delivery in the community services and financial services sectors. Prior to joining Brisbane South PHN, Julie was Senior Manager for Organisation Services and Company Secretary at the Queensland Council of Social Service. Julie is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.
General Manager Child, Family & Older Persons
Read Matt’s bio
Matt has 20 years of experience working with marginalised children, families and communities as well as tertiary qualifications in psychology. Matt has worked with communities and partners to affect health system change in maternity, child development, homelessness, child protection and the domestic and family violence system with recent senior leadership roles in collective impact initiatives in Woorabinda, Logan and Southern Moreton Bay Islands. He has supported culturally diverse communities to develop community-controlled organisations and effectively address emerging social and health challenges.
General Manager Mental Health, Suicide Prevention, Alcohol and Other Drugs
Read Courtney’s bio
Courtney has a wealth of experience in the mental health space, with 8 years at Accoras, where she held the pivotal role of General Manager, Community Services.
She has expertise in providing exceptional operational management to programs dedicated to supporting the mental health and wellbeing of children, young people, adults, and families across South-East Queensland..
With a Bachelor of Human Services in Child Protection, Courtney has played an instrumental role in fostering substantial growth and achieving incredible outcomes for the community.
One of Courtney’s joys is collaborating with other passionate practitioners, clinicians, and leaders in the field. Working alongside like-minded individuals who shared her commitment to improving mental health outcomes further fuels her drive to effect meaningful change in the lives of others.
General Manager System Integration and Coordination
Read Laura’s bio
Laura has been working in the Brisbane South region for over 10 years, experienced in leading various primary health care programs and commissioned services during this time. Laura has an interest in preventive health, integrated care, and working collaboratively with partners to problem solve and drive innovative solutions.
Previous to this role, Laura managed Brisbane South PHN’s older persons portfolio, working with system partners and key stakeholders to improve health and wellbeing outcomes for older people in the region.
Laura is studying a Masters in Business Administration and holds a Bachelor of Health Science (Nutrition).
Our members
Brisbane South PHN has 22 members. Members have broad responsibility for supporting our organisation and are encouraged to provide advice to the Board in key areas of policy, health reform and other relevant professional issues.
Members are typically businesses in our region that are not-for-profit or peak bodies with a significant interest in primary health care whose purpose or mission is representative of a sector, profession or industry and aligns with Brisbane South PHN’s purpose.
Members are entitled to vote at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) and other meetings convened by the Brisbane South PHN Board of Directors, and they maintain a role in Board governance.
Brisbane South PHN also provides members with:
- opportunities to have input on issues relating to the region, including participation in subject-specific expert reference panels
- partnerships and joint investment opportunities
- invitations to attend professional development and networking events relevant to their sector.
View our members