Mackay Hospital and Health Service (HHS) has welcomed experienced health professional Susan Gannon as its new Chief Executive.
Mackay Hospital and Health Board Administrator Karen Roach said Ms Gannon’s appointment followed a national recruitment process.
“We are delighted to welcome Susan to the team,” Ms Roach said.
“Her management skills and clinical experience mean she is well placed to provide Mackay HHS with the direction it needs.”
Before the move to Mackay, Ms Gannon worked with Tasmanian Health Services for six years and was the State-wide Executive Director of Nursing and Midwifery for one year.
She has worked in senior management positions for women’s and children’s services as well as medicine, emergency, cancer and surgical services, and also has experience in primary education.
Having filled roles across private and public health in Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania, Ms Gannon is ready to take on her next challenge.
“I want to make a difference and wherever I’ve worked, that was my goal,” she said.
“I’m very community focused and I think it’s really important to be a part of the community and have the community say what happens in their health service.”
Ms Gannon started at Mackay HHS last Monday, June 12 and said she’s received a positive first impression.
“Everyone is welcoming, and I think everyone’s on the same page trying to sort out the issues and move forward,” she said.
The appointment comes after the resignation of former Chief Executive Lisa Davies Jones in August 2022 and the sacking of the Mackay Hospital and Health Board in November 2022, which led to Ms Roach’s appointment.
Ms Roach said the new board is expected to be welcomed by the end of August.
“I think the Executive will find a much better relationship with the next board by understanding what the board is about, but also having a good understanding of what the executive needs from the board,” she said.
“The Chief Executive has a really important role running the operations but there are strategic decisions that the board has to make.
“There’s been a lot of grieving in this community, and we need to understand that and acknowledge it and take the Executive on that new path but always putting people at the front of what we do.”
Mackay Hospital and Health Board Administrator Karen Roach welcomed new incoming Chief Executive Susan Gannon last week. Photo credit: Sam Gillespie
