The Queensland Aboriginal and Islander Health Council (QAIHC) has extended congratulations to three First Nations health leaders who have been appointed as Chairs to Queensland hospital and health service boards.
QAIHC Chair Matthew Cooke, 37, has been appointed Chair of the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service Board.
A proud Bailai man, Mr Cooke is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Nhulundu Health Service, the Aboriginal and Islander community-controlled health service in Gladstone, and the Executive Chairperson for the First Nations Bailai, Gurang, Gooreng Gooreng, Taribelang Bunda People Aboriginal Corporation.
Mr Cooke is also the former chair of the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO), the peak body for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs) in Australia. He has more than 18 years of experience in executive roles.
Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service is responsible for the direct management of facilities within its geographic boundaries including Biloela Hospital, Capricorn Coast Hospital, Emerald Hospital, Gladstone Hospital and Rockhampton Hospital.
QAIHC Member and Torres Health Indigenous Corporation CEO Renee Williams has been appointed as the Chair for the Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service Board.
Renee, who has paternal linkages to the Bindal and Juru and maternal linkages to Wakka Wakka and Mer and Erub Islands, was previously the General Manager – Policy and Research for QAIHC.
She has also worked as the consulting CEO of Boorndawan Aboriginal Health Service in Victoria, and has worked for VACCHO, NACCHO and Apunipima Cape York Health Council.
Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service is responsible for the direct management of facilities within its geographic boundaries including Weipa Integrated Health Service, Thursday Island Hospital, Bamaga Hospital and Cooktown Multipurpose Health Service.
Professor Cindy Shannon, a Ngugi woman and an advisor in Indigenous health, was appointed the Chair of the Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service Board.
Professor Shannon was integral in the establishment of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH), which is a QAIHC Regional Member.
She is the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion) at Griffith University and an Emeritus Professor with the University of Queensland.
Gold Coast Hospital and Health Service is responsible for the direct management of facilities within its geographic boundaries including Gold Coast University Hospital and Robina Hospital.
QAIHC Acting CEO Paula Arnol said the boards of Central Queensland HHS, Torres and Cape HHS and Gold Coast HHS were fortunate to have secured accomplished leaders.
“Mr Cooke, Ms Williams and Professor Shannon are exceptional leaders who are dedicated to improving the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Queensland,” she said.
“This is another step forward for health equity in Queensland.
“With their background in Indigenous health, they will provide a strong voice for their people and will be influential in shaping health policy focused on closing the health gap between Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Queenslanders.
“We are looking forward to working with them on delivering health solutions that are comprehensive, culturally safe and accessible to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples of all ages, needs and abilities across Queensland.”
For more information on QAIHC visit www.qaihc.com.au
For more information contact QAIHC Communications Manager Samantha Townsend on 0417 080 203 or samantha.townsend@qaihc.com.au
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