An eight-person board with experience in accounting, pharmacy, governance and leadership has been appointed to help shape the future of healthcare in the Mackay region.
The newly appointed Mackay Hospital and Health Board (HHB) will be led by reappointed Chair Monica McKendry, who joined the Board in 2023 and stepped into the role of Interim Chair in September last year.
Ms McKendry, a chartered accountant, is a highly respected member of the Mackay business community with considerable experience in financial management.
“Monica’s extensive experience in governance and accounting has already had a positive impact on our health service and I look forward to continue working together, alongside other members of the new Board, to ensure people of the Mackay region can access the healthcare they need,” Mackay HHS Chief Executive Sean Birgan said.
“It’s wonderful to see five new faces this year, complementing two reappointed members and one member continuing their current term.
“Among the new faces is HHS clinician Ron Nightingale, who has been a pharmacist for more than 40 years and is currently the Director of Pharmacy at Mackay Base Hospital.
“Mr Nightingale brings significant expertise in the allied health discipline of pharmacy and local knowledge to the Board.
“We also welcome stronger representation from across our rural and regional footprint in new members Alana Moller from Clermont and Dave Nebauer (Deputy Chair) from Bowen.”
Other new members include Dr Peter Malouf, a respected leader in indigenous health, and Lynn Smart who has extensive finance and directorship experience across a range of industries.
Associate Professor Luke Lawton, who joined the board in 2023 has been reappointed and Andrea Ranson, appointed in 2024 is continuing as a board member.
The Mackay HHS has joined all other Queensland Hospital and Health Services in welcoming a local frontline clinician to its board.
Changes to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 were announced last year, requiring all 16 of Queensland’s Hospital and Health Service Boards to include at least one Aphra registered health practitioner currently working for its local HHS.
These changes come into effect for the first time on 1 April 2026.
The board is responsible for the performance of their HHS and the delivery of local public health services under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.