HEALTH TRANSLATION QUEENSLAND - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Vice - Chancellor
- Clinical Psychologist, Professor
Professor Analise O'Donovan is the Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Health) at Griffith University. Prior to this role, Professor O'Donovan was Dean (Academic) of the Griffith Health Group. Her primary areas of research include effective training of clinical practitioners, positive psychology and trauma.
As a clinical psychologist, Professor O'Donovan has also worked in a range of mental health settings. She was the recipient of the Australian Learning and Teaching Council Australian Awards for University Teaching and has considerable experience providing training and workshops in a range of areas, including wellbeing at work and supervision.
Job Titles:
- Registered Nurse
- Deputy Director - General Clinical Planning and Service Strategy, Queensland Health
Colleen Jen is the Deputy Director-General, Clinical Planning and Service Strategy. Colleen leads Queensland Health's portfolios in research, innovation and genomics; health system strategy and planning; mental health, alcohol and other drug strategy and planning; and workforce strategy and planning.
With a Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Critical Care Nursing and a Graduate Certificate in Policy, Colleen is an experienced executive and health professional with more than 40 years working in the health sector.
Colleen is a Registered Nurse and has extensive experience in health service strategy and planning, as well as leading strategic policy, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and infrastructure planning teams in Queensland Health.
Colleen has worked in Hospital and Health Services, the Department of Health and the private sector and is committed to advancing health system sustainability through robust and evidence based approaches and to improve the health outcomes for the community.
Job Titles:
- CEO and Research Director of the Australian E - Health Research Centre at CSIRO
- Chief Executive Officer, CSIRO Australian E - Health Research Centre
David Hansen is CEO and Research Director of the Australian e-Health Research Centre at CSIRO - Australia's national science agency. The AEHRC is CSIRO's digital health research program and a joint venture between the CSIRO and Queensland Health.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Research Facilitation
With more than 15 years of experience in higher education and research across teaching, research and corporate services roles, Helen has significant experience coordinating key strategic and operational activities that support organisational ambition and performance.
At Health Translation Queensland, Helen plays a key role in the delivery of Health Translation Queensland's clinical research and translation program of work, and strategic projects across a number of organisational priorities.
Job Titles:
- CEO of Mater
- Group Chief Executive, Mater Misericordiae Ltd
Dr Peter Steer was appointed to the Board of Mater Education Limited in January 2019 at the same time he was appointed as Mater Chief Executive Officer and has a wealth of health care administration experience and clinical expertise.
In September 2019 Dr Steer was appointed as CEO of Mater's services across Queensland where he managed the development of a shared strategy to sustain the Mission of Mater's ministries in health, education and research.
Previously, Dr Steer was the Chief Executive of Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children (GOSH) in London from January 2015.
Dr Steer commenced his medical career at Mater Brisbane in 1982 after graduating from The University of Queensland and worked at Mater in Adults and Children's Hospitals until 1987.
Professor Frank Gannon is a visionary scientist with an international career in research and management, and a passion for bridging the gap between science and real-world impact.
Frank's scientific pursuits have predominantly revolved around molecular biology, with a particular focus on breast cancer. His extensive body of work boasts an impressive 150 publications, collectively garnering almost 20,000 citations-a testament to his dedication and expertise.
Frank has held Director roles at several institutions, including the European Molecular Biology Organisation and QIMR Berghofer Medical Research Institute.
Frank's contributions to the scientific community have been recognised through his election as a Fellow of the Royal Irish Academy, the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Research, Academia Europaea, the European Academy of Cancer Sciences, the Mexican Academy of Medicine, and the Queensland Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Among his numerous accolades, Frank has been awarded the Society of Industrial Microbiology Pan Labs Award, the Irish Biology Society Medal, the Diplôme d'Honneur of the Federation of European Biochemical Societies, and the Life Sciences Queensland (LSQ) Industry Excellence Award.
While Frank officially retired in 2019, his passion for research hasn't dimmed one bit. He's now deeply committed to ensuring scientific breakthroughs find their way into clinics and industry, making a tangible difference in people's lives.
Frank plays a vital role in shaping the future of medical research, currently serving as a member of the Scientific Advisory Board for the Mater Medical Research Institute, Precision Oncology Ireland, the Beaumont RCSI Cancer Centre in Dublin, Ireland, and The Cancer Clinician Academic Network in Galway, Ireland.
Since he retired as Director of QIMR Berghofer in 2019 and hence the Board of Health Translation Queensland (HTQ), Frank has been a Special Advisor to HTQ. Frank has taken a lead, in particular, on the following initiatives:
Queensland Health and Medical Research Funding Analysis
Queensland Cancer Funding Analysis
Roadmap for Strengthening Health Research and Translation in Queensland.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor
- Adjunct Associate Professor
Adjunct Professor Frank Tracey has over 40 years experience working in health systems, including executive roles in large health organisations and the non-government sector. He has a clinical background in nursing and holds advanced qualifications in health management and governance. His extensive experience in health commissioning and service provision in clinical and community settings is complemented by strong executive management and leadership skills. Frank has an applied interest in population health planning and translational health research. While working in both government and non-government roles he has focused on delivering sustainable health strategies that serve the best interests of consumers, health professionals, the broader health system and the community.
Job Titles:
- Executive
- President of the Australian Medical Council
Professor Geoff McColl is the Executive Dean of the Faculty of Medicine at The University of Queensland. Prior to joining UQ, Geoff was the Head of the Melbourne Medical School at the University of Melbourne, where he led the development and implementation of the Melbourne MD.
Geoff completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Melbourne and attained his FRACP in rheumatology in 1992 before completing a PhD focusing on rheumatoid arthritis at the Walter and Eliza Hall Institute in 1996.
Geoff is currently the President of the Australian Medical Council and a previous Chair of its Medical School Assessment Committee, Chair of the Therapeutic Goods Administration Advisory Committee on Medicines and a past member of Pharmaceutical Benefits Advisory Committee.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive Officer, West Moreton Health
- Health Care Executive
Hannah Bloch is an accomplished health care executive with more than 15 years experience in the Queensland public system. Hannah has a deep understanding of healthcare operations and experience in managing large and complex services.
Hannah holds a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business (Human Resources Management) and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
Hannah joined West Moreton Health in July 2022 as Interim Chief Executive and was officially appointed to the role in November 2022 after an extensive global search. Hannah has previously held executive roles at Gold Coast Health where she served on their executive from 2016.
Job Titles:
- Adjunct Professor
- Leader
- Registered Nurse
Jackie has extensive executive, strategic and tactical leadership experience spanning more than 15 years across public health systems in Queensland and South Australia.
As Australia's largest Hospital and Health Service Chief Executive, Jackie provides authentic and inspirational leadership to a workforce of over 24,000 staff to deliver high quality public health services to over 1 million people.
Throughout her career, from the bedside to Chief Executive, Jackie's commitment has remained focussed on increasing access and equity. Particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, ensuring high quality safe services and improving patient outcomes and experience through the health care system, research, innovation and partnerships both nationally and internationally across a wide range of sectors.
Jackie has led systemwide transformation and improvements based on strategically assessing the environment and providing foresight to maximise impact across the care continuum.
Jackie is a respected leader with a collaborative style and people focused approach which strongly aligns with the Metro North values of Respect, Integrity, Compassion, High Performance and Teamwork.
Jackie is a registered nurse, and holds a Bachelor in Nursing Science.
Job Titles:
- Scientist
- Executive Director, Professor
Professor John Prins is an active clinician-scientist, a respected thought leader in diabetes and endocrinology in Australia, and has wide experience on grant review and advisory committees for NHMRC, non-government organisations and industry.
As Health Translation Queensland's Executive Director, Professor Prins is passionate about supporting collaborative translational research in Queensland. He is responsible for the strategic direction and vision of Health Translation Queensland and for improving communication, collaboration, and efficiencies across the broader Queensland health and medical research sectors, from discovery science right through to patient care across the state.
Professor Prins undertook his clinical training in endocrinology in Brisbane and then completed a PhD in adipose tissue biology at The University of Queensland. He completed his postdoctoral training at the University of Cambridge and was awarded a Wellcome Senior Research Fellowship in Medical Sciences in 1998.
Professor Prins has significant corporate leadership experience across the academic, health and pharmaceutical sectors, including as Head of Melbourne Medical School, University of Melbourne; Director, Metro South Hospital and Health Service Board; CEO of the Mater Group and Director of the Mater Research Institute-UQ. He was instrumental in the formation of spin-out biotechnology companies Adipogen Pty Ltd (merged to form Verva Pharmaceuticals in 2015) and Jetra Therapeutics.
He has received more than $35 million in research and commercialisation funding, has published over 160 research publications with over 14,700 citations, and holds 4 international patents.
In July 2023, he was appointed Chair of the Australian Health Research Alliance (AHRA) - the national voice of 14 Research Translation Centres, which are either fully accredited or recognised as emerging by the National Health and Medical Research Council.
Job Titles:
- Senior Principal in Communications and Engagement
Kate has a background spanning 14 years in communication, marketing, and engagement across the university, health, and community services sectors. She enjoys working with a range of stakeholders to help drive initiatives to improve health outcomes. With a solid understanding of science, research and various health systems, Kate has previously contributed to Burnie Brae and Brisbane North Primary Health Network, where she supported teams that deliver health care services to the community. However, her career highlight was working at Queensland Genomics, a Queensland Government initiative transforming health care using genomics.
Kate has postgraduate study in Business (Integrated Marketing Communications), a Bachelor of Social Science and has completed the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Certificate in Engagement.
Kate is passionate about using innovation and technology to deliver and improve our health care experience. She also looks forward to contributing to the consumer and community involvement program of work at HTQ.
Katrina has more than 20 years of experience as a communications and engagement specialist in the government, not-for-profit and private sectors.
During a decade in consultancy at BBS Communications Group, she gained valuable experience in communications, engagement and marketing across all sectors. Katrina's communications and engagement experience includes in-house management roles with a range of healthcare organisations including Queensland Genomics, Queensland's Minister for Health, the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, and CareFlight Aeromedical Services.
After many years as HTQ's Manager for Communications and Engagement identifying and implementing strategic communications and engagement activities, Katrina has now moved into the role of the Operations Director. In this position she is responsible for the development, implementation and monitoring of the strategic and operational direction of the organisation, balancing the complex interests and operational practices of HTQ's partner organisations and delivering successful business outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive, Gold Coast Health
- Gold Coast Health As Chief Executive
Ron joined Gold Coast Health as Chief Executive in 2012, bringing more than 20 years of health management skills and experience to the role. He has held Chief Executive roles at England's Doncaster and Bassetlaw National Health Service (NHS) Foundation Trust and Trafford Healthcare NHS Trust, where his quality regime resulted in a significant reduction in mortality rates. Before this, he held board-level roles at University College London Hospitals and University Hospitals Leicester.
Job Titles:
- Research Governance Manager
- Senior Manager, Research Governance
As Research Governance Manager, Sara supports Health Translation Queensland's strategic and operational objectives through the development and refinement of streamlined research governance processes across the partner organisations and through the support and facilitation of collaborative research initiatives.
Sara has 20 years of research facilitation experience in health research, working in the higher education, private and charity sectors in both England and Australia.
Sara's professional experience includes roles at Arthritis Research UK, the University of Sheffield's Medical School, Uniting Care Health HREC, and The University of Queensland's Queensland Brain Institute. She has gained invaluable all round research administration experience working in research centre management, process and policy development, managing ethics applications and project managing investigator led clinical trials and facilitation of research across a number of research themes.
Job Titles:
- Project Manager - Engagement
Sarah has more than 20 years of experience working in the health care and education sectors including public health, universities, not-for-profit and private organisations.
In recent years Sarah has gained valuable experience in project roles at Mater Health Services and Brisbane North Primary Health Network. These roles include managing multiple projects aimed at improving health service delivery and making sustained change with a particular focus on chronic diseases and ageing.
In these roles Sarah has worked with a wide range of health care and government organisations such as Queensland Health, Clinical Excellence Queensland, Metro North Health, Primary Health Networks Australia-wide and community health providers.
At Health Translation Queensland, Sarah's role is focused on the establishment and continued growth of HTQ's Collaborative Groups and the inaugural Mental Health Collaborative Group. Sarah is leading our Mental Health initiative website project. She is also involved in our Consumer and Community Involvement program.
Job Titles:
- Chief Executive of the Translational Research Institute
Professor Scott Bell is the Chief Executive of the Translational Research Institute and a Senior Physician of the Adult Cystic Fibrosis Centre at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane where he has worked since 1996. He was Director between 1996-2015. As a clinician scientist, he leads the Lung Bacteria Laboratory at The University of Queensland.
Scott has >300 peer-reviewed publications and has received grant support of more than $24 million over the past 10 years. His research interests include acquisition and transmission pathways for human infection and his multi-disciplinary research has resulted in significant changes to clinical practice and policy implementation globally.
He has been principal investigator on numerous pivotal CFTR modulator trials. He was the Editor of the Journal of Cystic Fibrosis from 2013 until 2020 and co-led the Lancet Commission on the future of CF care which was published in 2020.
Job Titles:
- Senior Manager, Engagement and Communication
Silvia has over 20 years of experience in diverse communications roles across government, the private sector and not-for-profits mainly across health, education and environmental portfolios. Before joining HTQ, Silvia worked in the Queensland Government, including at Queensland Health, in various communication and project coordination roles for more than ten years.
She has extensive experience collaborating with clinicians, educators, researchers, academics, policymakers and health consumers to produce and implement effective health communication products and outcomes. She is particularly passionate about community and stakeholder engagement in the health sector and has completed the International Association of Public Participation (IAP2) Certificate in Engagement. Prior to 2005 she worked as a degree-qualified journalist overseas.
At Health Translation Queensland, Silvia's role is to plan and deliver strategic communications and engagement activities to support and promote collaborative translational health research in Queensland.
As a Principal Project Officer, Sophie supports Health Translation Queensland's clinical research and translation program of work, and strategic projects across a number of organisational priorities.
Sophie is passionate about public health and business research. She previously worked in communications and research administration at The University of Queensland, and provided communications and business support to radiology clinics, obstetrics and fertility specialties at private hospitals and clinics in Adelaide.
She is studying a master's degree in public health from the University of Sydney and was awarded a scholarship to attend the Telfer Business School at the University of Ottawa. Sophie also has a Bachelor of Marketing and Communications and a Bachelor of Journalism from the University of South Australia. Her goal is to achieve a PhD in public health.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board
- Company Director
Sue is a company director and board member with governance experience in the health and human services sectors. Sue was appointed to the role of Chair at Health Translation Queensland in June 2019, following on from her three years as CEO of Brisbane South Primary Health Network.
Sue holds degrees in teaching and education and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. In addition to over 20 years experience as CEO, Sue has held numerous advisory and policy development roles at local, state and national government levels and has won awards as a business and community leader.
Sue's governance roles include Chair of UQ Health Care, Deputy Chair of West Moreton Health and Deputy Chair of CPL - Choice, Passion, Life. Sue is also a community board member for the Parole Board Queensland