Chief Executive Officer
Jim Fletcher BHA, AFCHSE, CHE, MIPAA.
Jim has held a number of senior executive positions within the human services field. His background includes the role of Chief Executive Officer at three of the State’s largest regional psychiatric hospitals and community services, leading these agencies through significant reform and change. Jim also held a number of Regional Management roles over a four year period with the Barwon South Western Region of the Department of Human Services, prior to commencing his role as CEO of Western District Health Service on July 17, 2000. Jim is currently the Chair of the South West Alliance of Rural Hospitals (SWARH) Steering Committee and a Board Director of the Victorian Hospitals Industrial Association and Rural North West Health.
Deputy Chief Executive Officer Director of Corporate Services
Patrick Turnbull BBus, BHA, FCPA.
Patrick has been with Hamilton Base Hospital since 1982. He has been the Hospital’s principal accounting officer since 1987 and was appointed to his current role in 1993. Financial and business support of patient services is managed through the Corporate Services Division. Among Patrick’s commitments with WDHS are his role as Chair of the SWARH Finance Sub-committee and membership of the Department of Human Services - HealthSmart Services Steering Committee, a key group involved in the implementation of the whole of health ICT strategy.
Director of Medical Services
Dr John Christie DMS, DTM & H, FAFPHM, FRACMA, MACTM
Dr John Christie commenced at WDHS as a part-time DMS in March 2009. Prior to this John was acting in a locum position as DMS.
John also works as a part-time medical administrator at Swan Hill District Health in the Loddon Mallee region of Victoria. John commutes between the two regions on a weekly basis. He has a background in public health, tropical medicine and health administration, having worked for a number of years in developing countries as well as other Victorian hospitals including Wbool Base, SWHC. He has extensive experience in medical management and public health, is a Paul Harris Fellow.
John has a particular interest in international medical graduates, in particular in orientating them and developing their skills in the Australian medical environment to assist them to become acting and valued members of the medical fraternity in the country.
Director of Nursing
Janet Kelsh RN, ICUCert, BAppSci(NAdmin), CertMgt(Deakin), GradDipAgedServicesMgt, MRCNA.
Janet commenced her role as DON at Hamilton Base Hospital in 1987. With experience in New Guinea and London, Janet worked predominantly in intensive care and neurosurgery in a number of major city hospitals before moving to Hamilton. In her role as DON, Janet is responsible for the day to day operations of the acute services, the overall management of aged care services and district nursing services. Janet represents WDHS on a number of regional committees, including palliative care, infection control, sub acute rehabilitation and nurse education through collaborative relationships with a number of Universities. Janet has completed management studies and tertiary studies in aged care management.
Director of the National Centre Farmer Health
Susan Brumby RN, RM, DipFMgt, GradDipWomen’s Studies, MHMgt, CertIV WorkplaceTrainer, AFCHSE, MRCNA.
Sue commenced her position as Foundation Director of the National Centre for Farmer Health (a partnership between Western District Health Service and Deakin University) in November 2008 continuing her role as Principal Investigator with Sustainable Farm Families.
Until commencing with the NCFH she was the Director of Community Services since 2002. In this position she oversaw the introduction of new programs and innovative service delivery models resulting in numerous awards for service excellence, consumer involvement and health promotiion. She is a graduate of the Australian Rural Leadership Program, holds a Diploma in Farm Management, completed a Masters in Health Management in 2004 and has been active in the agricultural sector. In 2005, Sue was awarded the rural health professionals award (Barwon SW Region) for her outstanding contribution to the health of the community and in 2006 received a Victorian Traveling Fellowship Program to exchange ideas with overseas couterparts on farmer health and decision making.
Director of Community Services & Allied Health
Rosie was appointed as Director, Community Services and Allied Health in May 2009. Prior to this appointment, Rosie was the Deputy Director of Community Services since October 2008 and for 5 years was the Executive Officer of the Southern Grampians and Glenelg Primary Care Partnership. Rosie Rowe has held senior positions in both the public and private sectors, including with the Department of Land and Water Conservation in NSW and in regulatory compliance with Optus. She has a Bachelor of Natural Resources, a Masters of Business Administration and is a Research Fellow with the University of Melbourne.
Penshurst Manager/Director of Nursing
Damien Malone
BA BN RN MN Cert IV (Workplace Assessment and Training)
Damien commenced his role at Penshurst in April, 2008. He has worked in a range of acute and aged care healthcare settings in the last 10 years in education and management roles. Damien was the CEO at John Curtin Memorial Hostel 2004-2008, and prior to this he worked as the aged care educator at the Peninsula Health Service in Melbourne. Damien has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Nursing and a Master of Nursing, and is currently studying for his Master of Business Administration.
Coleraine Manager/Director of Nursing
Tim Pitt-Lancaster RN BN Cert Peri-operative nursing, GradDip Nursing Science
Tim commenced his role in Coleraine in July 2005. Prior to this appointment Tim was the Nurse Unit Manager of the Operating Theatre Suite of the Mount Gambier and District Health Service a role he filled from 1998 to 2005. During 2005, Tim was also the Acting Director of Nursing and Patient Services of the Mount Gambier Hospital.