Metro North Hospital and Health: 10-strong board takes reins
Queensland’s biggest hospital region has a new-look board, including two female former MPs covering all levels of government.
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A newly appointed board has taken control of the Metro North Hospital and Health Service, with a new chair and five new members.
Bernard Curran, a former chair of The Prince Charles Hospital Foundation, takes the helm and replaces Jim McGowan who was the chair from May 2020.
The new 10-person board with experience in health, politics and consultancy sectors has been appointed to govern the busy HHS.
The new Queenslanders taking their place at the table are Linda Lavarch, Peter Aitken, Shea Spierings, Poya Sobhanian, Aimee McVeigh and Jane Prentice.
Mr Curran comes from an accountancy and consultancy background, representing clients across medical practices, architecture, and civil construction. He has also held directorships on private company boards and actively serves on not-for-profit boards.
Ms Lavarch and Ms Prentice have played active roles in federal, state, and local government politics throughout their careers.
Dr Aitken brings extensive experience in disaster preparedness and management, having played a key role for Queensland Health during the pandemic, including serving as chief health officer.
Dr Spierings, with a consultancy background in health, currently serves as Deputy Chair of Sunshine Coast Health Network and a Board Member of Health and Wellbeing Queensland. He is also a Research Fellow at the University of Queensland specialising in Indigenous health.
Dr Sobhanian brings board experience from his recent appointment as member of the Central Queensland Hospital and Health Board and he is currently a board member, Gladstone Ports Corporation and member of the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal’s Dentist Panel of Assessors.
Ms McVeigh comes from a legal background and is currently the CEO of the Queensland Council of Social Service.
Ms Nermina (Nera) Komaric and Mr Adrian Carson have renewed their membership for another term and join continuing member Dr Melissa (Meg) Cairns.
Health Minister Shannon Fentiman has commended the leadership of outgoing chair Jim McGowan “whose dedication and commitment guided the board since 2020”.
“Looking ahead, I’m confident this newly assembled Board will play a vital role in delivering safe and timely healthcare for Queenslanders,” she said.
METRO NORTH BOARD
Mr Bernard Curran (Chair)
Mr Adrian Carson
Ms Linda Lavarch
Ms Nermina (Nera) Komaric
Dr Peter Aitken
Dr Shea Spierings
Ms Aimee McVeigh
Honourable Jane Prentice
Dr Poya Sobhanian
Dr Melissa (Meg) Cairns
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