Two new members with extensive experience in health and business have been appointed to the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board.
The Board will be led by new Chair Jodi Peters, with the new appointments helping shape the future delivery of high-quality healthcare services across the Far North.
Ms Peters holds a Bachelor of Business and was previously the Deputy Chair. She has been a board member since May 2017.
‘I am honoured to permanently step into the role of Chair of the Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Board,’ she said.
‘After nine years as a Board member, including six years leading the Quality and Safety Committee and two as Deputy Chair, I am deeply committed to the outstanding care provided across our hospitals and health services.
‘I look forward to working closely with the Board, our dedicated staff, and the community to continue delivering high-quality, safe, and compassionate healthcare for the people of the Far North.’
Cairns and Hinterland Hospital and Health Service chief executive Leena Singh said it was wonderful to see two new faces joining the board this year, complementing three reappointed members and three members continuing current terms.
‘Among the new faces is HHS clinician Dr Renee Cremen who is the Director of Medical Services at the Babinda Multi-Purpose Health Centre,’ Ms Singh said.
‘Dr Cremen brings significant expertise in medicine, rural health and leadership and local knowledge to the HHS Board.
‘Notably, she was recently named Cairns’ Citizen of the Year for securing the long-term sustainability and quality of healthcare in Babinda.’
Dr Cremen is joined by one other new board member, Alicia Tuppack, who is the Chief Operating Officer of the Cairns based Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility.
Ms Singh said Ms Tuppack had more than 20 years’ experience in Australian Government roles, along with over a decade of executive management expertise.
‘Alicia brings valuable strategic and operational expertise. Her background will be a strong asset as we shape the future of healthcare delivery across the Far North,’ she said.
‘I would like to thank outgoing board member Chris Boland who has been on the Board since 2017 and held the position of Chair for the last two years. He has made an immense contribution to the health service during a period of significant change.’
Changes to the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011 were announced last year, requiring all 16 of Queensland’s Hospital and Health Service Boards to include at least one Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency registered health practitioner currently working for its local HHS.
These changes come into effect for the first time on 1 April 2026.
The board is responsible for the performance of its HHS and the delivery of local public health services under the Hospital and Health Boards Act 2011.