AT the November Board meeting, last week, three new Directors joined the South Gippsland Hospital (SGH) Board, and it was announced that the incumbent CEO, Paul Greenhalgh, would remain in the role for at least another three years.

In an email circulated to the Board earlier that week, Board Chair Damon Stynes communicated that he was delighted the Hon Mary-Anne Thomas, Minister for Health, had appointed the three applicants who were put forward following a rigorous recruitment cycle.

Vimi Desai, who has a strong background in Accounting and Finance, joins Katherine Dowson, who has a background in Clinical Governance, and well-known local Trish Shee, who holds an MBA and strong ties to the Community. Trish was also the former President of SGH Auxiliary.

“Each applicant brings diverse skills and experience to the SGH Board, which will strengthen our collective performance going forward.” Mr Stynes explained.

Ms Desai, Ms Dowson and Ms Shee join Mr Stynes, Dr Judith Bennett, Mr Jamie Sutherland, and Ass. Prof Noel Cranswick, Dr Michelle Kermode, Dr Kate Maxfield, Ms Jan Fitzgerald and Mr Paul O’Sullivan to form the SGH Board.

Parallel to these Board appointments, there has been a formal offer and acceptance of a three-year extension to the CEO, Paul Greenhalgh’s, current contract, taking his term through to December 2028.

Paul was first appointed interim CEO in April 2020 and received a five-year contract in December later that year.

“We are pleased to see Paul remain in the role. He has led the organisation very well through a complex time in our history, including the COVID pandemic, major State and Commonwealth reform, and he has overseen many major capital projects. During his time, SGH has been acknowledged for providing high-quality care, excellent workplace culture and was awarded the Premier's Small Health Service Award in 2023.”