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BRHS Executive Team

The BRHS Executive Team is made up of:

ROBYN HAYLES

(MPH, GAICD, BN)

Robyn Hayles is BRHS’ Chief Executive Officer.

She joined BRHS in February 2018.

Robyn’s extensive experience includes senior executive roles in a specialised tertiary health setting, large regional settings and the full continuum of health services.

Robyn has a nursing background and studied a Master of Public Health Degree at RMIT in 2001. She has undertaken many leadership courses since this time including a Professional Certificate in Health Systems Management (Business Enterprise) at Melbourne University.

Robyn’s unique work history, across a range of both health and geographical settings, has provided her with the experience and ability to lead, plan and negotiate within the complex systems of health and community in an ever-reforming environment. 

Robyn has two core professional passions: leadership and health. These drive her motivation and enthusiasm to consistently seek opportunities to creatively and innovatively govern and lead health system improvement that ensure true consumer-centered care.

BERNADETTE HAMMOND

RN, RM, CCN, BNrsg, MHSM

Bernadette Hammond is BRHS’ Director of Clinical Operations and Chief Nurse & Midwife.

As Director of Clinical Operations she holds operational responsibility for acute and sub-acute inpatient wards and specialty wards and programs, and the emergency department, as well as organisational-wide quality, risk and organisational effectiveness unit.

As the Chief Nurse and Midwife Bernadette provides leadership for the nursing and midwifery workforce, and holds responsibility for the clinical education unit including the health library.

Bernadette has post registration qualifications in midwifery and critical care nursing, has a Bachelor of Nursing, Masters of Health Services Management and a Professional Certificate in Health Systems. In 2015 Bernadette also completed the Executive LINK (Leadership, Innovation, Networking and Knowledge) program run by Better Care Victoria.

Bernadette has overall accountability for achieving the strategic, business, clinical quality and patient experience objectives and goals of the Health Service for these areas which has over 200 staff, and works closely with other departments to deliver on this. Prior to her current position Bernadette has worked in a number of middle to senior clinical leadership and management positions within regional Australia.

BERNADETTE BROWN

Bernadette Brown is BRHS’ Director of People and Culture, which oversees a range of services relating to staffing at BRHS including recruitment, payroll, support for students, trainees and volunteers, and human resource services.

Originally from Coventry, England, Bernadette began her career in Australia at La Trobe University in Melbourne.

Bernadette has a BA (Hons) Law from Nottingham Trent University, United Kingdom; a Diploma of Business Management from Monash University; and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Strategic Human Resource Management. She has also studied Health Informatics at Monash University.

Bernadette joined BRHS in 2012, prior to which she was Manager of Corporate Services at Gippsland Lakes Community Health.

“The majority of my career has been in the health industry and I love that in a small way I am contributing to the wellbeing of the community,” Bernadette says.

Bernadette and her husband live in Lakes Entrance, where they have raised their two children.

“I love East Gippsland and its natural beauty. It’s a fantastic place to bring up a family.”

LINDA DANIEL

Linda Daniel is BRHS’ Director of Community Wellbeing & Partnerships, which provides services people might need as part of their recovery during or after a hospital stay, as well as services that are delivered in the community.

This Includes Allied Health, Home-Based Nursing, Post-Acute Care, Community Nursing, the Aboriginal Health Unit and Dental. Other services within this Directorate include the Consulting Rooms, Central Intake, Aged Care and Planned Activity Group program.

An East Gippsland local, Linda enjoyed what she describes as “an idyllic childhood” growing up in Metung. She later moved away to Melbourne for a number of years as her career developed, before returning to the region.

Linda studied at RMIT, completing a Bachelor of Commerce and then later completing a Graduate Diploma of Business (rural health) with Monash University, and is also a graduate of the Australasian College of Health Service Management Rural Management Residency Program which focuses on developing senior leaders for the health industry.

“Having worked in a number of different roles over the past 20 years, I’m very pleased to be able to guide this very important part of our health services to the community.”

KATHY KINRADE

RN, GradDip (Critical Care – Emergency), MA Nursing

Kathy Kinrade was appointed BRHS’ first Director of Quality & Education in 2021, prior to which she was BRHS’ Clinical Operations Manager.

Kathy has held senior management roles for over 14 years, and was previously Deputy Director of Nursing & Midwifery and Director of Clinical Operations at West Gippsland Healthcare Group.

As the Director of Quality & Education Kathy holds responsibility for accreditation across all areas of the organisation, oversight of incident management and feedback and the quality improvement initiatives and education services across BRHS.

“I have spent most of my nursing career in country areas,” she said. “I find that close connection that rural health services have to the community they serve to be very rewarding.”