Our board

Our board is responsible for:

  • developing our strategic direction and priorities
  • monitoring how we comply with the law and our performance, including risks
  • making sure we offer safe and high-quality health care and that we focus on patient experience and evidence-based practice
  • developing, and being accountable for, plans, strategies and budgets
  • making sure our health service meets the needs of the community.

Our board is committed to:

  • excellence in person-centred care
  • improving health outcomes and experiences for our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander patients and their families and carers.

Our board meets each month. Board meetings are held at one of our facilities.

Heather Watson (Chair)

Photo of Heather WatsonHeather Watson

Commenced: 18 May 2018
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Heather has more than 30 years’ legal and governance experience with specialist expertise in the charitable and non-profit sectors.

She has nonexecutive director and industry experience in the following areas:

  • aged care
  • health and community services
  • infrastructure in transport and housing
  • Indigenous communities.

She has also been a partner in legal practices in both regional and city areas in Queensland.

Will Fellowes (Deputy Chair)

Photo of Will FellowesWill Fellowes

Commenced: 18 May 2021  
Appointed Deputy Chair: 26 September 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2026

Will is an experienced non-executive director with a finance, consulting and assurance background. After working in finance and commercial leadership roles globally and around Australia, Will is now based in Western Queensland with his young family.

As well as being a member of our board he also and sits on numerous Boards and advisory committees with for-purpose organisations including:

  • RACQ
  • Opera Queensland
  • Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland
  • Northern Australia Primary Health Limited.

He is also a Chartered Accountant and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Inma Beaumont

Photo of Inma BeaumontInma Beaumont

Commenced: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Inma is an experienced company director, qualified accountant and stakeholder engagement professional.

She has senior executive experience in the health, research, education, energy and banking sectors.

Inma is also involved with various not-for-profit organisations focusing on disability, gender equality and health.

Associate Professor Martin Byrne

Photo of Martin ByrneMartin Byrne

Commenced: 10 June 2021
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Martin has more than 20 years’ experience working in rural and remote health settings in both the public and private sector.

A well-respected general practitioner, rural generalist and medical administrator who as well as being a member of our board:

  • is an Associate Professor with Griffith University where he serves as Medical Educator and Examiner
  • holds senior roles with The University of Queensland and University of Southern Queensland
  • is working as a rural GP in Nanango and as a rural generalist for Queensland Country Practice.

He has also previously:

  • been Director of Medical Services of Metro North Hospital and Health Service’s Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service
  • held executive roles for South-West and Darling Downs Hospital and Health Services.

Suzanne Cadigan

Photo of Suzanne CadiganSuzanne Cadigan

Commenced: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026

Suzanne has vast experience as a registered nurse in both the public and private health sectors. She has worked in a range of clinical, education and leadership roles in critical care, surgical, paediatric and emergency nursing.

As well as being a member of our board, she also:

  • serves on the board of Karuna Hospice Services, an in-home palliative care service
  • represents Children’s Health Queensland on the Ronald McDonald House Charities Board for South-East Queensland
  • a member of The Queensland Plan Ambassadors Council which fosters community engagement and shared responsibility for achieving the long-term vision of The Queensland Plan.

Kara Cook

Photo of Kara CookKara Cook

Commenced: 1 April 2024
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Kara has a background spanning law, politics and the not-for-profit sector, and a deep commitment to advocating for those in need and creating positive community outcomes. Kara founded Australia’s first expert Domestic Violence law firm, served as CEO of Basic Rights Qld and Working Women Qld, and led the legal services of Women’s Legal Service Queensland. Kara was a former recipient of the Australian Young Lawyer of the Year.

Her career includes time as a Local Councillor for Morningside Ward in Brisbane City Council until 2023, with committee responsibilities as Shadow Chairperson of the City Planning Committee, Olympic Games and Economic Development Committee, Ethics Committee, Lifestyle and Community Services Committee and the Transport Committee.

Kara also serves as a board member on the Stanwell Corporation Board.

Professor Simon Denny

Simon Denny

Simon Denny

Commenced: 10 June 2021
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Simon is a paediatrician, and adolescent and young adult physician currently working as Director of the Mater Young Adult Health Centre in South Brisbane.

He has worked with adolescents and young adults for more than 20 years in Australia, New Zealand and the United States. He has expertise in a range of health conditions affecting adolescents and young adults including:

  • obesity
  • gender and identity issues
  • drug, alcohol and mental health concerns.

He has also served as an Associate Professor in the Department of Paediatrics, Child and Youth Health at the University of Auckland.

He is also widely published internationally in the field of adolescent health and wellbeing.

Cheryl Herbert

Photo of Cheryl HerbertCheryl Herbert

Commenced: 26 June 2015
Current term: 1 April 2024 to 31 March 2028

Cheryl has more than 20 years’ experience as a chief executive officer and leader within not-for-profit and government health and regulatory organisations.

She’s a trained midwife and nurse who was the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Health Quality and Complaints Commission.

Cheryl also holds the following positions:

  • fellow of the Australian College of Nursing
  • fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
  • board member of Lives Lived Well Pty Ltd
  • director of Australian Regional and Remote Community Services Pty Ltd
  • director of UnitingCare Qld Pty Ltd.

She has also served as Chief Executive Officer of Anglicare (formerly St Luke’s Nursing Service).

Karina Hogan

Photo of Karina Hogan

Karina Hogan

Commenced: 18 May 2019
Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026

Karina is a proud First Nations and South Sea Islander woman, deeply rooted in her ancestral connections to northern New South Wales.

She has extensive experience in media and governance and has made significant contributions to the industry. While her expertise primarily lies in broadcasting and radio production, Karina has recently ventured into the realm of documentary making. In 2022, Karina and her colleagues were honoured with a prestigious Logie award for their documentary, "Incarceration Nation," which shed light on important social issues.

As well as being a member of our board, she is an esteemed ABC journalist  and holds prominent leadership positions.

She's also:

  • the Chair of BlakDance, where she advocates for Indigenous representation and storytelling through dance
  • a Non-Executive Director for ATSICHS Brisbane, a community-controlled organization
  • a Non-Executive Director for Deadly Coders, promoting digital literacy among Indigenous youth.

Meredith Staib

Photo of Meredith StaibMeredith Staib

Commenced: 18 May 2020
Current term: 1 April 2022 to 31 March 2026

Meredith has more than 20 years’ clinical and commercial experience in the public, private and community sectors.

She has worked in hospital and healthcare management, and global medical assistance.

As well as being a member of our board, she also holds the following positions:

  • Chief Executive Officer of the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Queensland, one of the largest and most comprehensive aeromedical operations in the world
  • member of the Australian Advisory Council Thankful4Farmers.

She has also held international director and board positions.

Contact the board

If you'd like to meet with the board or any of the board members, contact the Board Secretary at CHQ_Board@health.qld.gov.au.

Board committees

Our committees support the functions of the Board.

Audit and Risk Committee

This committee assists the Board in its oversight of the following:

  • financial statements
  • internal control structure
  • internal audit function
  • risk management systems
  • compliance systems.

It is also responsible for overseeing liaison with the Queensland Audit Office and for assessing external audit reports and actions taken in response.

You can find out more about the committee in its Terms of Reference.

Finance and Performance Committee

This committee oversees and provides advice to the Board on the hospital and health services:

  • financial position and performance
  • resource management strategies, including for technology, buildings and equipment.

You can find out more about the committee in its Terms of Reference .

Health Service Executive Committee

This committee supports and provides recommendations to the Board regarding its strategic and governance responsibilities.

You can find out more about the committee in its Terms of Reference .

Safety and Quality Committee

This committee assists the Board in its oversight of safety and quality related strategies, performance, governance arrangements and improvements.

It's also responsible for promoting a culture of open and honest reporting of any situation that may impact the quality of patient care.

You can find out more about the committee in its Terms of Reference .

Research Committee

This committee assist the Board in oversight of the hospital and health services research strategy and clinical education and training strategy.

You can find out more about the committee in its Terms of Reference .

Board meeting summaries

Summary of key issues discussed by the Board and decisions made.

2024

November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March  
February

2023

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May
April
March
February

January [no meeting held]

2022

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May