Hunter New England LHD team

Stephen is a paediatrician from Newcastle. He is a former Director of Ambulatory Care at the Central Coast Local Health District.

Stephen completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at Sydney University. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

With more than 30 years of clinical experience in paediatrics and child health in NSW, Stephen has a particular interest in:

• the health of Indigenous children

• clinical improvement and patient safety

• child and adolescent behavioural and mental health issues.

Kirsten is business leader and company director from Newcastle. She sits on several boards of commercial, government and non-for-profit organisations.

She has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Deakin University. She also has a PhD and an honours degree in Science from the University of Newcastle and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Kirsten has extensive executive experience in resources, manufacturing, supply chain and coordination. She’s held executive and management positions at Orica and was formerly CEO of Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator.

Kirsten has passion and value for community health and wellbeing with in-depth knowledge in: 

Liz is from Newcastle. She has strong experience in leadership, culture change, governance and risk management.

She is a co-founder and former Executive Director of SafetyWorks Group, a leading provider of safety culture change solutions for performance improvement.

Liz is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Governance Institute of Australia. Her qualifications include: 

• a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

• a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (2012).

• graduate diplomas in Applied Science (Nursing) and Occupational Health and Safety.

Liz serves as a director on several boards and advisory boards in education, governance and not-for-profit sectors. She has a particular interest in creating: 

• quality outcomes for patients.

• a safety and wellbeing excellence culture.

• enhanced safety, mental health, and wellbeing for employees. 

Kevin has strong corporate governance experience and sits on several boards. His experience includes development of economic and socioeconomic policy in government.

Kevin has held leadership roles in the banking and finance sector. He led the New England Credit Union (now Regional Australia Bank) through a period of significant growth.

He has a connection to rural and regional NSW and a strong interest in regional mental health.

Peter is from the Wiradjuri people of NSW. He has extensive experience in Aboriginal health.

He is a Fellow with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Peter is also Associate Professor in Indigenous Medical Education and Head of Discipline – Indigenous Health at the University of Newcastle.

He has served on several boards including as Chair of RACGP Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health and the RACGP Board.

Peter has served on the board of the Australian Indigenous Doctors’ Association (AIDA) Board for 8 years and was its President from 2009 – 2012.

He describes himself as an Aboriginal man who loves being a doctor and working one-on-one with his patients.

Peter finds satisfaction in the knowledge, that in his own small way, the work he does contributes toward closing the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous health outcomes.

Bob is from Newcastle and is Chief Executive of Business Hunter. He has a degree in Economics and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Bob has served on and reported to several boards. He has extensive experience and knowledge in:

• urban and regional development.

• project feasibility and land use strategy.

• economic and social impact assessment.

• infrastructure planning and location analysis.

He brings extensive leadership experience and specialises in:

• strategy and thought leadership.

• policy development and advocacy.

• delivery of events and member development programs.

Bob has a strong community focus with volunteer leadership and board responsibilities across several not-for-profit, charity and sporting organisations.

Meagan has more than 20 years’ experience in nursing, clinical governance, accreditation programs, policy development and risk management.

Before founding her consultancy in 2020, she was the Clinical Quality and Safety Manager for the Royal Flying Doctor Service (South Eastern section).

She has performed quality and assurance roles for public and private health services. 

Anita is a chartered accountant with executive experience across a broad section of industries and roles including aviation, education, agribusiness, and government.

She holds degrees in commerce (accounting) and science (psychology) and is passionate about strategic planning, risk and change management.

Penelope (Penny) is from Uralla with more than 20 years’ experience in nursing and education. She currently owns and runs her own higher education and leadership consultancy company.

She is an Adjunct Professor with Federation University Australia and Deakin Co (a division of Deakin University).

Widely published, Penny is also a registered nurse with extensive knowledge in entry-to-practice education and clinical leadership in metropolitan and rural facilities, including previously for Hunter New England LHD.

Wendy is from Inverell and has lived in the area for more than 40 years.

As a former owner of several local businesses, she brings extensive multi-sector experience across financial services, telecommunications, and local government.

Wendy is currently a Councillor on Inverell Shire Council and a strong community advocate for Northern NSW.

She specialises in communications, growth, and operations.

Tracey McCosker is Chief Executive of Hunter New England LHD. She has worked in the NSW public health system for more than 30 years.

As the leader of one of NSW’s largest LHDs, Tracey guides the organisation to:

• model respect and inclusion.

• foster an innovative and cohesive workforce. 

• deliver high-quality patient-centred care.

She began her career as a Business Manager for Hunter Area Pathology Service. She moved on to senior roles in finance, corporate and clinical services in the district.

In 2012, she became the Chief Executive of NSW Health Pathology. Here, she led the establishment of an integrated state-wide public pathology service.

Tracey received the Australian Public Service Medal in 2018 for her outstanding service to public health in NSW.

She has a degree in Commerce from the University of Newcastle and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern Queensland. She is a Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Elizabeth Grist is the chief nurses for the district. She makes sure the nursing and midwifery workforce is well-resourced, qualified, and competent.

Elizabeth coordinates the district's health service response and disaster management as well as: 

Lauren Cruz looks after promoting the work, values, and achievements of our District.

Her team's key functions include:

• media relations and communication channels.

• working with the organisation’s community engagement groups. 

• developing and implementing employee communication strategies and government relations activities to support the organisation’s work.

Melissa O’Brien leads the District’s Clinical Governance functions. She provides high-level advice to the Chief Executive on all clinical governance issues.

Melissa works with the Executive team across all health services to: 

• improve clinical quality systems.

• promote and support patient safety.

• deliver clinical excellence.

Tony Gilbertson oversees the district's financial planning, auditing, reporting and budget performance.

Tony also makes sure the right financial controls and practices are in place. His team's key functions include:

• detailed management reporting to the Executive, Governing Council, and NSW Health. 

• the ownership and submission of the district’s statutory and professional reporting.

Chris Levi oversees clinical leadership in the District. He guides the collaboration between healthcare, research, and innovation.

His team’s work will help make the Precinct Australia’s first learning health system in the coming years.

As the Precinct develops, Chris will lead the connection and continued improvement of innovation, research, and healthcare.

Ramsey Awad oversees the delivery of our District’s clinical planning, capital works, engineering maintenance and sustainability.

He leads a team of managers and staff who deliver these integrated services. Ramsay also provides expert strategic advice to the Chief Executive.

Chris Mitchell leads the district’s delivery of information and communication technology (ICT), including:

• Service delivery

• Project portfolio management

• Information security and privacy

• Strategic development and governance

• ICT infrastructure and application services.

Dr Paul Craven leads HNE Kids health and its medical workforce, networks, and streams. He provides strategic guidance for children’s health in the District.

Paul is also responsible for planning for future service demand and supply challenges.

His team's key function is to enhance patient outcomes by:

• ensuring junior and senior doctors' wellbeing

• meeting governance and education needs

• managing workforce planning, governance and certification for senior medical staff

• connecting services and programs across child health, paediatrics, child protection and wellbeing.

Julie Tait has worked in the health industry for more than 30 years. She has overseen the redesign of hospital processes and change management.

Julie is passionate about patient-centred care in hospitals and contemporary healthcare. She likes to lead through team building, succession planning, and positive culture reform.

She believes positive culture, kind and compassionate management needs to be the leading influence in healthcare. 

Raylene Gordon manages our District's Aboriginal health and wellbeing services.

She is a descendant of the Kamilaroi people, now living in Awabakal country.

In her role, she works to deliver on the district's commitment to make meaningful gains for more than 90,000 Aboriginal people living and working in the Hunter New England regions.

Raylene leads the services' strategic direction, advocacy and planning. This involves:

• working in partnership with Aboriginal people

• improving equal access to health services for First Nations communities

• creating genuine opportunities and improved outcomes for First Nations communities.