Karen Slater

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.