Area Executive Team

Dr Nigel Lyons, Chief Executive of Hunter New England Health.  This position is responsible for all services across more than 120 sites, from small rural community health centres to major tertiary referral hospitals.  With over 14,000 staff and an expenditure budget of $1.3 billion per annum Hunter New England Health provides services to a community of more than 840,000 people across an area of 130,000 square kilometres.

Dr Lyons has more than 20 years experience as a health service manager across metropolitan and rural service settings. He has a strong commitment to postgraduate medical education and training and has served on the Workforce and Allocation Committee of NSW Postgraduate Medical Council for seven years, including as Chair and member of the Executive from 2000 to 2003.

Ms Kim Browne as Director of Population Health, Planning and Performance, with responsibility for leading and directing the development, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of a strategic approach to health service development, performance improvement and population health approaches to build the health service's capacity to effectively meet the needs of its staff, patients and communities. Ms Browne has previously held the positions of Director of Population Health and Planning at the Mid North Coast Area Health Service and Director Health Service Development at Far West Area Health Services.

Dr Kim Hill as Director Clinical Governance, has responsibility for delivery of systems that promote clinical excellence within Hunter New England Health, including evaluation and support to clinical practice improvement, quality and patient safety across Hunter New England Health. Dr Hill has held senior executive positions in health care, in areas such as clinical governance, operations, service review and innovation and medical workforce and education. Dr Hill has been appointed as a member of specific Australian Medical Council initiatives and reviews and is an Associate Investigator with the NHMRC Centre for Research Excellence in Patient Safety, based at Monash University.

Mr Chris Kewley, Director of Nursing and Midwifery Services, with responsibility for assisting the Chief Executive to maintain an appropriately resourced, qualified and competent nursing and midwifery workforce and for the professional development of the nursing and midwifery services.  Mr Kewley also has the role of Health Service Functional Area Co-ordinator (HSFAC) with responsibility for co-ordination of health service response and disaster management.  Prior to taking on the role, Mr Kewley was the Director of Clinical Services, Greater Newcastle Acute Hospital Network. 

Mr David Dixon as Director of Workforce Development, with responsibility for workforce planning, workforce development strategy, human resources strategy, organisational change and workforce learning and development and for directing the efficient and effective provision of occupational health and safety, human resource and employee/industrial relations services. Mr Dixon has previously held the position of Director of Human Resources for Northern Sydney Area Health Service.

Ms Tracey McCosker as Director of Clinical Operations, with responsibility for the effective and efficient management of the health service's clinical services. Ms McCosker has previously held the positions Director or Corporate Services, Director of Finance and General Manager of the CARE Network (Community, Aged Care and Rehabilitation Services) for Hunter Health.

Mr Michael Di Rienzo - Director Operations - Acute Networks, has responsibility for directing and managing the effective and efficient planning and delivery of all acute clinical services in our district and referral hospitals including John Hunter, Belmont, Royal Newcastle, Mater, Maitland, Manning, Tamworth and Armidale hospitals and making sure these services are aligned with the strategic priorities of Hunter New England Health and NSW Health. He is also responsible for ensuring integration within and across networks to help Hunter New England Health deliver quality health care, and implement the Managed Clinical Networks. Prior to taking on this role, Mr Di Rienzo was Acting General Manager for the Greater Newcastle Sector.

Scott McLachlan as Director, Operations - Primary and Community Networks, is responsible for directing and managing the eight clusters across Hunter New England, which include a wide range of hospitals, community health services, area-wide clinical services and developing some of the Managed Clinical Networks. His recent roles include acting Director of Operations and Manager of Corporate Services for our Northern region and a range of experience in the private and public health sectors.

Ms Carina Bates, as Director of Communication and Stakeholder Engagement, has responsibility for promoting the work, values and achievements of Hunter New England Health.  Key functions of her unit include media relations, developing and implementing communication strategies to support the work of the area, developing internal publications and overseeing content for the organisation's internet and intranet.  Ms Bates' team also works closely with the organisation's community engagement groups.  Ms Bates was previously a media relations officer with the NSW Premier and the NSW Minister for Primary Industries.  Prior to that she worked in the United States in media and public relations for the US Beef Industry, McDonald's Corporation and the American Red Cross (Chicago Chapter).