Experienced senior health executive Terry Mehan is the new Chair of the Board of Northern Queensland Primary Health Network (NQPHN).

Mr Mehan has more than 40 years of experience working in the health sector across the Torres and Cape, Cairns, and Brisbane regions, in addition to three Australian states and overseas locations including Papua New Guinea and Tonga. 

Mr Mehan was acting Chief Executive Officer of NQPHN for several months in 2020-21, and has also served as interim Chief Executive Officer of Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service (TCHHS) and the North West Hospital and Health Service (NWHHS), and as an administrator of the Cairns and Hinterland Health Service (CHHHS).

Mr Mehan was appointed by the new Board after the Annual General Meeting (AGM) on 28 November 2022.

NQPHN also welcomes new Board Director Dr Chris Stelmaschuk, who is a GP based in Townsville and also serves on NQPHN’s Clinical Council.

Former NQPHN Board Co Chair Tara Diversi was appointed as the new Deputy Chair while fellow former Co Chair Ben Tooth remains a Board Director and Chair of NQPHN’s Finance, Audit, and Risk Management committee.

Nick Loukas and Dr Nadeem Siddiqui are retiring Directors.

NQPHN Chief Executive Officer Robin Whyte said she was pleased with the appointment of Mr Mehan who was well versed with the operations and strategies of the organisation, and thanked all Directors for their service over the past year.

“We are fortunate to have someone as Chair who has many decades of experience and knowledge of the health sector across NQPHN’s network in Terry,” said Ms Whyte.

“With the outstanding credentials of our Board Directors and the strong leadership of Terry, NQPHN is well positioned to achieve our vision of helping northern Queenslanders live happier, healthier, longer lives.

“I would also like to express our sincere thanks to outgoing Co-Chairs Tara Diversi and Ben Tooth for their leadership this year, and to all of the Directors for their dedication to providing North Queensland communities with better access to improved primary healthcare services.”

Mr Mehan said he was delighted to return to NQPHN in a different but important role, and thanked his predecessors for their leadership.

“I am looking forward to the year ahead and working with the Board as well as CEO Robin Whyte and her team to developing – with our partners – an integrated and coordinated primary healthcare system that delivers the best care possible to achieve measurable health improvements for the people of North Queensland,” he said.

“I’d also like to recognise the valuable contributions of Nick during his time as Board Chair, and previous Co Chairs Tara and Ben.”