Epworth CEO and leadership

Dr Henderson is the Group Chief Executive Epworth HealthCare and a medical practitioner who has 30 years’ experience in the healthcare industry. He joined Epworth in February 2017 and was previously CEO St John of God (SJoG) Subiaco Hospital. Dr Henderson is the President of the Australian Private Hospitals Association and a Board Member of Cricket Australia.

Cameron Fuller is an Executive Director Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Epworth.

Natasha Toohey joined Epworth HealthCare as Chief Operating Officer, Hospitals in February 2022.

Before joining Epworth, Natasha was Executive Director of Operations at Western Health. Her multi-site operational role encompassed major capital, commercial and clinical projects, including commissioning the Joan Kirner Women’s and Children’s Hospital, redevelopment of the Sunshine Hospital Emergency Department and leadership of Western Health’s COVID-19 pandemic response.

Natasha holds a Master of Public Health (Monash University), Bachelor of Physiotherapy (University of Melbourne) and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Bridgid Connors joined Epworth as the Executive Director People and Culture in March 2021.

Bridgid brings extensive experience in leading large people and culture teams as well as broader corporate services teams in complex regulatory environments. Before joining Epworth, Bridgid was the Chief Human Resources Officer at Monash University and has held senior executive roles at Melbourne Health, Victorian Department of Justice, WorkSafeSA and the South Australian Department of Premier and Cabinet.

Bridgid has a strong interest in organisational and individual wellbeing and holds a Master Applied Positive Psychology in addition to Executive Master Public Administration qualifications. Outside of work, Bridgid is a Board member of McAuley Community Services for Women which provides support for women and children experiencing family violence.

Kate Gillan joined Epworth as the Executive Director, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer in May 2021. Kate has extensive experience in healthcare leadership in public, private and NFP sectors in all specialities - acute, aged care, community and primary care.

Prior to joining Epworth, Kate was Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Barwon Health, leading the nursing workforce, clinical education and training and professional development unit. Prior to that, Kate was CEO in the Barwon South West region and amalgamated two health services to form the newly created ‘Great Ocean Road Health’. Kate is an Adjunct Professor at Deakin School of Nursing and has had a primary relationship with the Professor of Nursing role at Barwon Health and now at Epworth.

Kate has a passion for delivering high quality, safe and person-centred care to our consumers. She recognises the valuable role that nurses and midwifes play in healthcare. Kate supports the professional development of nurses and midwives right throughout their careers, and strongly believes they can make a substantial difference to patient experience. Outside of work, Kate enjoys the natural beauty of the Surf Coast region and loves to surf and swim.

Associate Professor Luis Prado joined Epworth HealthCare in 2016 as the Group Director Medical Services. Previously he was the Director of the Medical Services at the Wesley Hospital, Brisbane since 2004, as well as the Chief Medical Officer for Uniting Care Health.

For over twenty years he has held a number of senior medical administrator roles across Queensland Health and in the private healthcare sector. He has also served as a medical officer with the Australian Regular Army, including deployments to the Western Sahara and Solomon Islands and commanded the 11th Medical Company at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, and is a Major in Royal Australian Army Medical Corps.

Luis is an Associate Professor for Deakin University and has been actively involved in leading medical education and clinical teaching programs, regularly teaching medical students at the Epworth Clinical School. Luis is passionate about the opportunities and future directions for medical practice and supports his vision at a more practical level by continuing to work actively as a General Practitioner in the community. Luis has been a General Practitioner since 1993 and has a particular interest in Sports Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Paediatrics.

As Executive Director Academic and Medical Services, Luis will be responsible for the medical education, research and medical workforce portfolios. In his role as Chief Medical Officer, he will be the professional lead for medical practitioners across Epworth and will work closely with all clinicians in strengthening the Epworth clinical governance framework to deliver safe high quality patient care. Luis is excited about the opportunities and future directions for medical services and education/research at Epworth.

Danny Gravell joined Epworth as the Chief Information Officer in April 2020. He has extensive technology, digital and transformation leadership experience across public, private equity and not for profit sectors.

Before joining Epworth, Danny has held a number of executive positions including Chief Transformation Officer (Winc), Chief Information Officer (Sensis) and Executive General Manager, Product and Technology (Sensis).

Danny brings a unique perspective to Healthcare drawing upon his broad industry experience spanning Telecommunications, Financial Services, Wine, Marketing & Media, Supply Chain and B2B eCommerce. Danny is also involved in a number of technology advisory boards, is a keen St Kilda supporter and enjoys travelling.

Kylie Petschel is an ICU CMO at Epworth and ICU CMO at John Fawkner Private Hospital and is based in Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. She studied at University of Melbourne between 1991 and 1997.

Coming from a clinical background with a Bachelor of Nursing and Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management, Nicole Waldron joined Epworth in February 2011 and was appointed as Executive Director Epworth Richmond in March 2014. Nicole stepped into a dual leadership role when she was also appointed as Executive Director Epworth Freemasons in May 2018; responsible for leadership across Epworth Richmond, in addition to three Epworth Freemasons sites (Victoria Parade, Clarendon Street and Cliveden). Prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Nicole had executive responsibilities for Epworth Medical Imaging and Group Strategy.

In November 2019, Nicole was appointed to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer - Hospitals (COO) with responsibility for strategic and operational leadership, management and alignment of all Epworth hospitals and clinical services.

Nicole has an extensive background in healthcare management across the public and private sectors. Prior to joining Epworth in 2011, Nicole worked for Healthscope for 10 years. During this time, she held roles with state and national responsibilities, including hospital state manager, general manager John Fawkner Private Hospital and national workforce planning manager.

In addition to her role as COO, Nicole is a Director and Chair of the Epworth Medical Imaging Board. Nicole, along with her husband and two daughters, is an avid Essendon supporter. Nicole enjoys travelling, reading, keeping healthy.

Cameron Fuller is an Executive Director Finance & Chief Financial Officer at Epworth.

Kate Gillan joined Epworth as the Executive Director, Clinical Services and Chief Nursing Officer in May 2021. Kate has extensive experience in healthcare leadership in public, private and NFP sectors in all specialities - acute, aged care, community and primary care.

Prior to joining Epworth, Kate was Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer at Barwon Health, leading the nursing workforce, clinical education and training and professional development unit. Prior to that, Kate was CEO in the Barwon South West region and amalgamated two health services to form the newly created ‘Great Ocean Road Health’. Kate is an Adjunct Professor at Deakin School of Nursing and has had a primary relationship with the Professor of Nursing role at Barwon Health and now at Epworth.

Kate has a passion for delivering high quality, safe and person-centred care to our consumers. She recognises the valuable role that nurses and midwifes play in healthcare. Kate supports the professional development of nurses and midwives right throughout their careers, and strongly believes they can make a substantial difference to patient experience. Outside of work, Kate enjoys the natural beauty of the Surf Coast region and loves to surf and swim.

Associate Professor Luis Prado joined Epworth HealthCare in 2016 as the Group Director Medical Services. Previously he was the Director of the Medical Services at the Wesley Hospital, Brisbane since 2004, as well as the Chief Medical Officer for Uniting Care Health.

For over twenty years he has held a number of senior medical administrator roles across Queensland Health and in the private healthcare sector. He has also served as a medical officer with the Australian Regular Army, including deployments to the Western Sahara and Solomon Islands and commanded the 11th Medical Company at Gallipoli Barracks, Brisbane, and is a Major in Royal Australian Army Medical Corps.

Luis is an Associate Professor for Deakin University and has been actively involved in leading medical education and clinical teaching programs, regularly teaching medical students at the Epworth Clinical School. Luis is passionate about the opportunities and future directions for medical practice and supports his vision at a more practical level by continuing to work actively as a General Practitioner in the community. Luis has been a General Practitioner since 1993 and has a particular interest in Sports Medicine, Geriatric Medicine and Paediatrics.

As Executive Director Academic and Medical Services, Luis will be responsible for the medical education, research and medical workforce portfolios. In his role as Chief Medical Officer, he will be the professional lead for medical practitioners across Epworth and will work closely with all clinicians in strengthening the Epworth clinical governance framework to deliver safe high quality patient care. Luis is excited about the opportunities and future directions for medical services and education/research at Epworth.