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

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.

Board Members

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).

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).

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 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. Tracy Is Deputy Chair and Finance and Audit Committee Chair of Wesley Community Services, a large and diverse community services organisation. Other Board roles include Chair of Anglicare Southern Queensland, NED at the Australian Music Centre, Sylvanvale Foundation for Disability, Women Chiefs of Enterprises International, Sydney Philharmonia Choirs, and Chair of The Housing Connection.

Prof Doug Shelton

MBBS Dip Paed FRACP

Professor Doug Shelton is a paediatrician who has sub-specialised in community paediatrics and child development.  Prof Shelton is the Clinical Director, Women’s, Newborns and Children’s Services at Gold Coast Health. Prof Shelton’s special interest areas are Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) for which he achieved a Churchill Fellowship 2013-14 to investigate how to build a comprehensive assessment and intervention service for children with Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder; Indigenous child health; child development and learning problems; obesity; and leadership versus management and how to do both better. Prof Shelton is a member of the Queensland State Committee, Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Deputy chair, 2007 – 2008 and Chair 2009 – 2010) and held several statewide committee membership roles in across paediatrics, child development and child health services and well as being involved in curriculum development for paediatric training in community child health. 

Ms Liesel Wett OAM

BSc., MPH, MBA, FAICD

Ms Liesel Wett is the Chair of Barnardos Australia, Chief Executive Officer of Australian Pathology, and a Non-Executive Director of the peak professional body for Physiotherapists, the Australian Physiotherapy Association as well as a Non-Executive Director on Southern Cross Care NSW/ACT. Liesel was the previous Chair of the Board of Goodwin Aged Care, the largest Aged Care provider in the greater Canberra region and has held Non-Executive Director roles on the national board of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and Doctors Health Services. Liesel led Goodwin Aged Care through the global COVID-19 Pandemic with no outbreaks, or deaths, while at the same time as CEO of Australian Pathology, Liesel negotiated the COVID-19 testing framework for all Australians to access as well as numerous legislative changes to healthcare delivery throughout the pandemic. Liesel has successfully led negotiations on significant health policy changes to improve Australian’s access to the health and aged care system in highly regulated environments. Liesel was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) in the July Queen’s Birthday 2022 Honours and Awards list for her service to Medical Administration, and is a Member of Chief Executive Women, International Women’s Forum Australia and the Co-Chapter lead for the Minerva Network.

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.

Last updated 28 Mar 2024