Board

The Gold Coast Health Board, established on 1 July 2012, enhances decision making about local health services to benefit the local community. It is committed to:

  • Developing ways to involve the community in designing local health services
  • Exploring strategies to meet the growth in demand for health services
  • Considering innovative ways to increase resources to the region, including public / private partnerships
  • Working to improve access to hospital services while ensuring our world-class facilities are used to their capacity.

Gold Coast Health is committed to improved health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples in our community. Read the Reconciliation Statement. 

Board Chair

Prof Cindy Shannon AM

BA, Grad Dip Ed, MBA, DrSocSc (Pol Sci), FAICD, FQAAS (FQA)

A descendant of the Ngugi people from Moreton Bay, Prof Cindy Shannon has most recently been the Deputy Vice Chancellor (Indigenous, Diversity and Inclusion) at Griffith University and an Emeritus Professor with the University of Queensland. She led the development and implementation of Australia’s first degree-level program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers, has led major reforms in Indigenous health and played a key role in supporting the establishment of the Institute for Urban Indigenous Health in South-East Queensland. Prof Shannon served on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) from 2005-2012 and is the Chair of the Queensland Ministerial Advisory Committee on Sexual Health; former Chair of the Queensland Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Foundation; and a member of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Board. She has sat on a number of not-for-profit boards, including as Chair of the Brisbane South Primary Health Network. In 2017, Prof Shannon was recognised as a Queensland Great for contributions to Indigenous Health and Education and, in 2020, was made a Member of the Order of Australia (in general division) for contributions to Medical Education and Indigenous Health. In 2022, Prof Shannon won the AMA Queensland Excellence in Health Care Medical.

Deputy Board Chair

Ms Teresa Dyson

LLB(Hons), BA, MTax, MAppFin, FAICD

Ms Teresa Dyson is a Non-Executive Director, with a portfolio of directorships across listed companies, government entities and not-for-profit entities. She has experience sitting on Boards in the media, energy, professional services and investment sectors. She is also a member of the Takeovers Panel. Ms Dyson has previously been a Partner of a global law firm and a global accounting firm. Ms Dyson is a former Chair of the Board of Taxation and a former member of the Foreign Investment Review Board.

Board Members

Ms Colette McCool PSM

MIM, BA, FAICD

Ms Colette McCool PSM has more than 25 years’ experience as a senior executive in large and complex public sector organisations. She has held senior leadership positions across economic, environmental and social portfolios in Territory and Local Governments, in diverse functional areas such as community services and health, waste management and transport. Ms McCool has highly developed skills and extensive experience in community consultation, engagement and capacity building, coupled with a deep knowledge of the diverse Gold Coast community and its needs. In recognition of her contribution to public service, in particular the community of the Gold Coast, Ms McCool was awarded a Public Service Medal (PSM).

Prof Nicholas Zwar

MBBS, MPH, PhD, FRACGP

Prof Nick Zwar has extensive experience as a General Practitioner and primary health care teacher and researcher. He has a national and international reputation in health services research on the prevention and management of chronic illness, with a focus on respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Prof Zwar has led and contributed to several sets of Australian and international clinical practice guidelines and has more than 300 peer-reviewed publications. He is Executive Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences and Medicine at Bond University while working part-time in a local general practice.

Adjunct Professor Michael Hogan

BA(Hons) / LLB

Michael Hogan has extensive Board, Chair and CEO experience across not-for-profit, statutory and government spheres. He is the Convenor of the Thriving Queensland Kids Partnership, an initiative of the Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth. He is also an Industry Fellow with the University of Queensland’s Queensland Brain Institute. Michael was an inaugural Paul Ramsay Foundation Fellow and is an Executive Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand School of Government. Michael is also a Director of the Torres Indigenous Health Corporation and Vice President of the Council of the Queensland Library Foundation. He has had an accomplished career as Director-General, and Deputy and Assistant Director-General, of multiple Queensland government departments, including responsibilities for community engagement, community services, child safety, youth, youth justice, disability services, women and multicultural affairs. He was, earlier in his career, CEO of the Public Interest Advocacy Centre, a member of the Board of the Consumers’ Health Forum of Australia and on the advisory committee to the then New South Wales Health Consumer Complaints Unit.

Mr Michael Kinnane ESM

FAICD, FAIM

Mr Michael Kinnane has extensive Board and Chair experience across not-for-profit, charity, statutory, and public company spheres. He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and has had an accomplished career as Director-General of several Queensland government departments, including emergency services for more than 12 years. He was Chief Executive Officer of the Queensland Ambulance Service for five years. Mr Kinnane is a strategic change leader who is community and outcomes-focused with a record of achievements resulting in positive patient outcomes for the community. Mr Kinnane was a Director of the Gold Coast Hospital Foundation from 2020 to the end of April 2024. Mr Kinnane was awarded an Emergency Services Medal (ESM) in 2005 for his leadership in reforming emergency services in Queensland, in addition to being awarded a Centenary Medal in 2001 by the Governor-General.

Mr Lucas Patchett OAM

GAICD 

Mr Lucas Patchett is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Orange Sky, a not for profit with a mission of positively connecting communities through a free mobile laundry and shower service for people experiencing homelessness. Started in 2014, Orange Sky has expanded to more than 79 services across Australia and New Zealand with a team of 4,000+ volunteers and 70 staff providing a range of services across a variety of different communities. Mr Patchett is passionate about serving the community, innovation and how to create and build organisational culture. Mr Patchett was awarded the Young Australian of the Year award in 2016 and an Order of Australia Medal in 2020 and completed a Churchill Fellowship in 2024.

Dr Alexandra Markwell

FACEM MBBS (Hons) BSc FAMA GAICD

Dr Alex Markwell is a senior emergency physician and a past Chair of the Queensland Clinical Senate where she was heavily involved in the COVID-19 pandemic response. With a strong interest in clinical education, Dr Markwell is a Senior Lecturer with the University of Queensland and recent member of the National Health and Medical Research Council Australian Health Ethics Committee.  She has extensive experience with policy development, education and training and health leadership. Dr Markwell is a member of the Motor Neurone Disease (MND) and Me Foundation Board, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an experienced Non-executive Director. She is also a Past President of the Australian Medical Association Queensland (2012-2013).

Mr Nino Di Marco

B.Econ., Post Grad Dip Finance and Investment, GAICD 

Mr Nino Di Marco has more than 30 years’ experience as a Senior Executive and Board Director in large, complex not-for-profit organisations in the health and community housing sectors. He also has extensive experience in the commercial banking sector. In the past 15 years, Nino has held key leadership roles including Chief Executive Officer, Board Director, and Board Chair, with a particular focus on driving outcomes in health and housing. Nino has extensive experience in community consultation and engagement with urban, regional, and remote communities, and is deeply committed to improving the health and wellbeing for those most in need.

Ms Tracy Morgan

MBA (Macq.), FAICD, CAHRI

Ms Tracy Morgan is a highly regarded strategist, governance expert and business leader more than 30 years professional services, healthcare, community services and commercial experience. Tracy’s executive and consulting positions include Chief Executive Officer of World Hope International, and 15 years’ running her own consulting practice, providing advice and expertise in strategy facilitation and development, governance structures, organisational design and business transition management. Tracy is also a National Facilitator with the Australian Institute of Company Directors and serves on boards of organisations across health, disability services, community services and the arts. Currently, Tracy is Chair of Anglicare Southern Queensland and Deputy Chair (and Finance and Audit Committee Chair) of Wesley Community Services, both large and diverse community services organisations. Other Board roles include the Australian Music Centre, Sylvanvale Foundation for Disability, Women Chiefs of Enterprises International, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, and Chair of The Housing Connection.

Last updated 28 Mar 2024