Executive Team

Sean Birgan

Health Service Chief Executive

Sean brings over 38 years of nursing experience, including 20 years in senior leadership and management roles. Recently Sean worked as the Health Department COVID-19 System Response Lead coordinating the state's COVID-19 operational response.

Sean holds post graduate qualifications in Critical Care Nursing and Masters in Health Management and is currently an executive member of the Queensland Clinical Senate.

Sean has a keen interest in the development of staff into leadership roles and the promotion of new models of care. He also has a keen interest in disaster management and preparedness. Sean provides ongoing support to Indonesian nurses and health executives working in Bali as part of the Bali Memorial Package. This role incorporates assisting in the improvement of health services in Bali and developing the leadership and management skills of Balinese healthcare workers. 

Sean is enjoying the challenges and opportunities of working in a remote environment at North West HHS.

Andrew Quabba

Chief Operating Officer

Andrew has experience working in clinical, operational and leadership roles across rural and remote health services throughout Queensland. Andrew has worked with North West HHS since 2019. During this time, he has worked in various roles including the Senior Outreach Pharmacist, the Director of Pharmacy and more recently the Director of Allied Health.

Andrew holds a Bachelor of Pharmacy and a postgraduate qualification in healthcare management. He was the inaugural chair of the North West HHS Clinical Council, tasked with establishing and supporting a strong clinician voice in the health service.

He has a passion for rural and remote healthcare, lifelong learning and leadership. As the Allied Health professional lead for North West HHS, Andrew is committed to ongoing service improvement, partnering with our community providers and consumers, and empowering Allied Health clinicians to strive for high-level health service delivery. He is looking forward to continuing to lead and support the delivery of exceptional healthcare to our people in the North West.

Christine Mann

Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Christine was awarded the role of Executive Director Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health in July 2019 and was previously the Director of Cultural Capability and Engagement.

The Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health is a new Executive Management position created to help transform services to improve the health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Christine is a Woppaburra woman who has spent most of her life living in Mount Isa and holds a Bachelor of Social Work and Graduate Certificate in Public Sector Management. Her social work background led to working in several positions in Queensland, interstate and overseas in the area of child protection, the private sector and health. She is also an Adjunct Associate Professor, clinical and professional, with the Centre for Rural and Remote Health.

Sylvie Brdjanovic

Executive Director People, Culture and Planning

Helen Murray

Chief Information Officer, Rural and Remote

Passionate about the value technology can bring to healthcare delivery, Helen has a 30-year track record in delivery. Commencing with her first project role implementing patient administration systems, Helen led the multi-award winning ‘The Viewer’ program and today delivers digital transformation in remote Queensland.

As one of the founding members of what is now the Australian Digital Health Agency, Helen was instrumental in establishing many of the key building blocks necessary for My Health Record and has held senior roles in private industry delivering some of Australia and New Zealand’s first nurse-led triage call centres after spending several years with NHS Scotland.

In recognition of her commitment to better healthcare through innovative technology she was the recipient of the 2011 Women in Technology Professional Award and in 2014 Women in Technology Outstanding ICT Achievement award and named as the Women in Technology ICT Ambassador for 2014. She has been a judge for the awards for over a decade supporting women in technology from across industry.

Originally from the Western Downs, Helen is a practising Registered Nurse with over 35 years of experience, having both hospital-based and tertiary qualifications, including a Bachelor of Nursing and a Graduate Certificate of Information Technology. Helen brings extensive experience as a Company Director serving on several not-for-profit Boards and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Dr Anthony Bell

Executive Director Medical Services

Dr Anthony Bell brings over 20 years’ experience in emergency medicine practices and 10 years in medical administration. He has led departments, hospital medical services, clinical networks, research and project teams and is a well-known having worked in Mount Isa Hospital Emergency department.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Western Australia, Anthony pursued specialised training in emergency medicine across New South Wales and the United Kingdom. He earned Fellowship with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine (FACEM) in 2001. Transitioning between public and private sectors, he sought to broaden his knowledge and clinical proficiency by completing a Master of Business Administration (QUT). Subsequently, Anthony pursued further professional development by attaining Fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (FRACMA) in 2014, complemented by a Master of Public Health (QUT).

Anthony’s overarching ambition is to contribute to the enhancement of healthcare systems and improve outcomes in under served populations. This enduring goal acts as a guiding principle in his professional journey towards making meaningful contributions to the betterment of healthcare on a broader scale.

Karen Slater

Executive Director Nursing, Midwifery & Clinical Governance

Karen brings over 40 years of experience in nursing and midwifery, including 16 years in senior leadership and management roles. The majority of her clinical career was spent at Princess Alexandra Hospital, where she developed deep expertise in cardiology, infection prevention and control, public health, and general medicine.

Karen holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Industrial Relations/HR), a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, and a Doctor of Philosophy. She completed her Midwifery training at Cairns Base Hospital in 1997 (no longer practising), and graduated from the Next Generation Executive Leadership Program in 2023.

Karen has published widely on topics such as nursing absenteeism, needlestick injuries, hand hygiene, intravenous administration practices, and the care of needleless connectors. She maintains active professional affiliations with the Australasian College of Infection Prevention and Control, AVATAR – Alliance for Vascular Access Teaching and Research, and the Australian Vascular Access Society.

Karen also holds an adjunct Associate Professor position with Griffith University, reflecting her ongoing commitment to education, research, and advancing nursing practice.

Clare Newton

Executive Director of Remote Health Services

Clare was appointed Executive Director of Remote Health Services in April 2023. Prior to this role, she held various senior leadership positions within our organisation, most recently serving as Assistant Director of Nursing – Rheumatic Heart Disease. Clare initially joined our team on a six-month secondment in 2021 and has remained with us since. She also previously worked with North West HHS approximately 20 years ago.

Clare is an experienced Registered Nurse whose career spans clinical, managerial, educational, and leadership roles across regional, rural, and remote healthcare settings. Her professional journey includes positions in Queensland, interstate, and overseas.

She holds a Bachelor of Nursing, along with postgraduate qualifications in Critical Care Nursing, Healthcare Management, and a Master’s in Leadership and Management.

Clare is passionate about empowering staff with the skills and knowledge to drive service improvements. She is deeply committed to fostering strong partnerships with community providers and embedding sustainable relationships and networks.