Chief executive Sean Rooney cited health concerns as the driving factor behind his decision to resign after coming into the role in November 2023.
Northern Queensland PHN CEO Sean Rooney has confirmed he will leave the role at the end of September, citing health concerns as the primary motivation behind the move.
In a statement issued to Health Services Daily, NQPHN board chair Ben Tooth said the board had “regretfully accepted” Mr Rooney’s resignation and recruitment was underway to find a new CEO, with an interim CEO to be appointed until a permanent replacement was found.
“The Board has regretfully accepted Sean’s resignation and noted the significant contribution he has made at NQPHN since he started in the role in November 2023,” said Mr Tooth.
“We have commenced recruitment for a new CEO, which we anticipate could take several months. Interim CEO arrangements will be put in place while this process is concluded.
“On behalf of the board, members, and staff of NQPHN, we support Sean’s decision and wish him well on his journey back to good health.”
According to Mr Rooney, while the decision to resign was difficult to make, it was a necessary one.
“My resignation wasn’t an easy decision, but it was the right decision for me and my health,” Mr Rooney said.
“The board, stakeholders, and NQPHN staff have been overwhelmingly supportive and understanding.
“I’m proud of the important work our teams do at NQPHN and I’ve got every confidence the organisation will go from strength to strength.
‘Mary Poppins in scrubs’ named 2024 Nurse of the Year
Lyndal Moore, clinical nurse consultant with Calvary Mater Newcastle, has been recognised as Catholic Health Australia’s Nurse of the Year for 2024.
Working as a nurse for 32 years, Ms Moore is currently employed with the Hunter and Northern NSW Cancer Service, a specialised public service targeting young people between 15-25 years old diagnosed with cancer.
Calvary Mater Newcastle general manager Roz Everingham, said the award was a credit to Ms Moore’s compassion and dedication to her patients
“Lyndal exudes Calvary’s mission, by being known by her colleagues and her patients as a source of healing, hope and nurturing,” Ms Everingham said.
“Those close to Lyndal describe her as ‘Mary Poppins in scrubs’ because she goes out of her way to connect with her patients as a friend, carer and advocate.
“She also has a magical sense of humour that provides so much delight to those around her.”
Calvary’s national CEO Martin Bowles also congratulated Ms Moore on her achievement and thanked her for her wholehearted commitment to her work.
“It’s is clear from the way Lyndal’s colleagues describe her that in line with Calvary’s Mission of Being for Others that she too consistently goes out of her way to ensure her young patients are cared for and supported,” Mr Bowles said.
“On behalf of everyone at Calvary, I extend my gratitude to Lyndal for her contribution to Calvary and the broader community we serve.”
Catholic Health Australia’s Nurse of the Year award is designed to recognise the contribution of an ‘outstanding’ nurse, midwife or nursing team employed in Catholic health and aged care services
Ms Moore received the award at a gala dinner during Catholic Health Australia’s national conference, hosted 27 August at the Hyatt Regency hotel in Sydney.
AMA Roll of Fellows welcomes new inductees
The AMA has updated its Roll of Fellows with seven new members recognised for their outstanding contributions to the medical profession, including AMA Tasmania president Dr John Saul and vice president Dr Annette Barratt
Announced at the AMA’s national conference, hosted on the Gold Coast earlier this month, the list also featured Dr Bridget Sawyer, longstanding councillor for AMA South Australia and chair of its general practice committee (CGP), and Dr Fred Betros, general surgeon practicing in both public and private hospitals who championed AMA NSW’s campaign to clarify and strengthen the rights of VMOs.
Other additions include Associate Professor Ines Rio, chief medical officer at Monash University and Chair of North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network’s Board, clinical academic psychiatrist Associate Professor Jeffrey Looi and Professor Anthony Lawler, currently Deputy Secretary of Health Products and Regulation at the Department of Health and Aged Care.
Mercy Health paediatrician honoured with tunnel boring machine
Dr Gillian Opie, neonatal paediatrician at Victoria’s Mercy Hospital for Women and founder of the state’s inaugural breastmilk bank, has had a tunnel boring machine (TBM) named in her honour as work gets underway on the North East Link tunnel development
Dr Opie’s name was chosen among hundreds of submissions in acknowledgement of her “ground-breaking, inspiring work” and proximity to Melbourne’s north-eastern suburbs, an announcement from Mercy Health confirmed.
Since its opening in 2011, Victoria’s Breastmilk Bank has donated more than 4000 litres of breastmilk and expanded to several satellite sites including Monash Children’s Hospital, the Royal Children’s Hospital and the Royal Women’s Hospital.
“Mercy Health is extremely proud of Dr Opie’s achievements and her ongoing contributions to enhancing the care of sick and premature babies. It’s fantastic to see her work being recognised through a project that will also have a huge impact on the local community,” Mercy Health CEO Angela Nolan said.
“Mercy Health is deeply grateful for Dr Opie’s tireless commitment to caring for some of our most vulnerable patients.”
The machine, now dubbed the ‘Gillian’, is set to commence work on a set of 6.5km twin tunnels from Watsonia to Bulleen in the coming weeks.