CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Adj. Prof Russell Harrison Russell Harrison commenced with Western Health on 26 February 2013 in the position of Executive Director Operations. Russell came to us directly from the UK, where he held a range of senior positions over a period of 16 years within the National Health Service and prior to that, in private Health. His experience spans acute hospitals, mental health, the community sector and commissioning health services. Russell holds a range of qualifications, including an MBA from one of the UK’s leading universities (Durham) and a Certificate in International Health Care Management from Yale Business School. He has held a number of executive management roles and has a substantial track record in a many relevant areas including: executive leadership; clinical reform and governance; service innovation and models of care; risk and change management; workforce development; and managing demand within the constraints of tight financial resources.
Russell was appointed as the CEO of Western Health in 2017. |
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, OPERATIONS
Ms Natasha Toohey Natasha commenced in the role of Executive Director Operations in January 2018. Natasha holds several qualifications including a Masters degree in Public Health, a Bachelor of Physiotherapy degree and is a graduate from the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Her career includes work in both public and private healthcare nationally and internationally. Natasha was appointed to the position of Divisional Director Sub Acute and Aged Care in 2015. Prior to that, she was Director of Allied Health and Care Co-ordination at Western Health for seven years and was seconded into a number of additional roles during that time. Natasha served as Acting Director Operations from June to September 2017. She has a proven track record of effectively managing complex operational issues in health services while also maintaining a strong focus on the patient and their experience of care. |
 CHIEF MEDICAL OFFICERDr Paul Eleftheriou Paul joined Western Health as the Chief Medical Officer in February 2018. He joined us from Austin Health, where he held the position of Deputy Chief Medical Officer and Director Quality and Patient Safety. He was also acting in the role of Clinical Services Medical Director of the Anaesthetics, Perioperative and ICU Division. Paul also served as the Acting Chief Medical Officer for Austin Health for a period of time. After initially training in surgery, Paul chose to follow a career path in medical leadership and management, initially through Epworth Healthcare, where he received national recognition for his contribution to the practice of medical administration and for his initiatives around improving medical accreditation processes. Paul completed his Master in Health Administration through La Trobe University in 2015 and has undertaken a wide range of high-level courses to support his role as a medical administrator committed to innovation, quality improvement and achieving improved patient outcomes. He also has a strong interest in medical education and research developed through appointments at the Florey Neurosciences Institute where he commenced a PhD in Traumatic Brain Injury, the University of Melbourne, and the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators. To reinforce his passion in mental health and self-management for clinicians, Paul is also an ambassador and speaker for beyondblue. |
 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, NURSING AND MIDWIFERY Mr Shane Crowe Shane commenced in the role of Executive Director Nursing & Midwifery in September, 2017. He joined us from Austin Health where he was the Acting Chief Nursing Officer. His wide-ranging experience in nursing workforce leadership and his managerial, interpersonal and analytical skills, combined with his extensive clinical knowledge, network and project management skills, are valuable attributes in the role. In a previous role, as Project Director of the Olivia Newton John Cancer & Wellness Centre Transition, Shane led the development and implementation of the new model of care and the commissioning and opening of the facility. Shane worked with the Department of Health and Human Services on an extended secondment, as Manager of Workforce Innovation and Reform and led the development and successful introduction of the Safe Patient Care (Nurse and Midwife to Patients Ratios) Act 2015 in Victoria. During 2016, Shane served as Director, Support Services and Project Director for the Commissioning of a Short Stay Unit/Psychiatric Assessment and Planning Unit at the Austin.. |
 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, PEOPLE, CULTURE AND COMMUNICATIONSMs Suellen Bruce Suellen graduated as a registered nurse in 1979 and holds a Graduate Diploma in Nurse Management and a Masters in Nursing. In April 2016, Suellen joined Western Health in 2013 as the Director Workforce Planning & Development. In April 2016 she was appointed to the role of Executive Director People, Culture & Communications Throughout her career, Suellen has been committed to supporting the best possible quality patient care, initially as a nurse and later, through her leadership in workforce development and people services. Suellen has worked across both NSW and Victoria public health systems. Suellen’s leadership was invaluable during the establishment of intensive care and coronary care services at Sunshine Hospital. She has supported major workforce campaigns to attract the best staff to specialty areas within Western Health and has a strong commitment to leadership development and clinical education. |
 CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERMr Mark Lawrence Mark joined Western Health in 2011 as Executive Director Finance. Mark has a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting and a Diploma in Management. Mark is currently Vice President of the Health Management Finance Association, the peak body for finance staff working in health services. Prior to commencing at Western Health, for 11 years Mark was the CFO at Royal Freemasons, a large not for profit aged care provider. Prior to this Mark was with AMCOR for over 9 years in a variety of roles, culminating in the position of Commercial Manager for the Recycling division. Mark has over 25 years’ experience in the Finance sector, with additional experience in supply, purchasing and warehouse management. Privately Mark has held committee positions with a number of organisations such as the Standardbred Breeders and Stud Masters Association, 13th Beach Golf Club and is a former director of Chaplains Without Borders. Mark is currently Western Health’s Chief Financial Officer. |
