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.

David Gow (Chair)

Photo of David Gow

David Gow

Commenced: 18 May 2013
Appointed Chair: 11 May 2018
Current term: 18 May 2020 to 31 March 2024

David brings more than 40 years’ experience in law, banking and finance.

He has held senior leadership roles with a multinational bank in Australia and internationally.

He has also held non-executive board roles in both government and private sector companies, specialising in:

  • governance
  • financial management
  • audit and risk management
  • research commercialisation.

Cheryl Herbert (Deputy Chair)

Photo of Cheryl HerbertCheryl Herbert

Commenced: 26 June 2015
Appointed Deputy Chair: 6 July 2018
Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

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.

As well as being Deputy Chair of our board, she 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).

Associate Professor Martin Byrne

Photo of Martin ByrneMartin Byrne

Commenced: 10 June 2021
Current term: 10 June 2021 to 31 March 2024

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.

Professor Simon Denny

Simon Denny

Simon Denny

Commenced: 10 June 2021
Current term: 10 June 2021 to 31 March 2024

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.

Will Fellowes

Photo of Will FellowesWill Fellowes

Commenced: 18 May 2021
Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

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.

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.

Heather Watson

Photo of Heather WatsonHeather Watson

Commenced: 18 May 2018
Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31March 2024

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.

Ross Willims

Photo of Ross WillimsRoss Willims

Commenced: 18 May 2014
Current term: 18 May 2021 to 31 March 2024

Ross has worked in a range of Commonwealth Government departments. He has also held several senior executive positions in both the public and private sectors such as:

  • Vice President External Affairs BHP Billiton Metallurgical Coal
  • Director-General of the Queensland Department of Mines and Energy.

As well as being a member of our board, he’s Chairman of the Australian Coal Association and Australian Coal Association Low Emissions Technologies Limited. He’s also a lifetime member of the Queensland Resources Council.

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 or on 07 3068 5577.

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.

2023

February

January [no meeting held]

2022

December
November
October
September
August
July
June
May

Last updated: September 2023