The BRHS Board of Directors
SANDRA LEGGAT
CHAIR - MHSc (Physical Therapy), MBA, PhD, GAICD, FCHSM
Prof Sandra (Sandy) Leggat was appointed to the Board in 2021.
Sandy has had a fulfilling career as a physiotherapist, health services manager and public sector management consultant in Canada and Australia.
After retiring from her position as Professor, Health Services Management at La Trobe University she was appointed as an Emeritus Professor, and maintains Visiting Professor status at a number of universities throughout the world.
Her teaching focused on equipping health professionals to become successful managers. Her research encompasses people and performance, and she has published extensively on human resource management and quality and safety in health care organisations.
Sandy has previously been a board member of community health and disability services, a metropolitan health service, the Victorian Healthcare Association and a public health network (PHN). Now living in East Gippsland, Sandy looks forward to making a useful contribution to the BRHS Board.
CHAD BURRELL
deputy chair - BA, BCom, Grad Dip Fin Plan, CA
Chad Burrell was appointed to the Board of Directors in 2017 and as the Board’s Deputy Chair in 2024
Chad has 20 years’ experience working as a chartered accountant and auditor with a focus on not-for-profit organisations and is a director of a local accounting firm.
He is actively involved in a number of community organisations.
SIMON FRASER
MBBS, FRACP (Child Health), FRACMA, FASCHM, GAICD
Dr Simon Fraser was appointed to the BRHS Board of Directors in 2017, and is currently the deputy chair.
Simon is a former Chief Medical Officer and Senior Paediatrician at Latrobe Regional Hospital, and has worked in the Australian health system for more than 35 years.
Later in his career he developed an interest and expertise in medical administration, clinical governance and more recently the private health and insurance sector, and having lived in regional Victoria since 2005, has a strong interest in issues facing families in rural communities.
KARLY McCASKILL
BBus, MBA
Karly was appointed to the BRHS Board of Directors in 2019.
A strategic marketing professional, Karly worked for eight years as the Executive Officer of East Gippsland Marketing, a regional marketing body created by local Government and the community to promote the region to investors, new residents and visitors.
She is currently the National Marketing and Communications Manager for Workways Australia, a NFP employment and community services provider; and previously served on the Board of Committee for Gippsland.
Karly is passionate about access to quality healthcare in regional and rural communities and sees it as a driving force of economic development in East Gippsland.
AMANDA CAMERON
Amanda Cameron joined the BRHS Board of Directors in July 2024.
Amanda is a healthcare professional with more than 30 years of health experience, including 15 years in executive management and senior operational roles.
Amanda is currently the Chief Operating Officer at Barwon Health. She has been in this position since 2018.
Amanda has an extensive executive career in health, holding a number of senior positions in the Gippsland region.
She is an Adjunct Professor with Deakin University and holds a Masters in Health Administration from La Trobe University.
JOHN PAPATHEOHARI
John Papatheohari joined the BRHS Board of Directors in 2022.
John has spent the past 12 years as a CIO and executive business partner, working across public and private health services.
Engaging extensively with a range of stakeholders, John has delivered digital transformations with tangible benefits on consumer experience and service delivery improvements in acute, allied health, primary care, and community and in-home settings.
John made the transition to industry after 26 years as a management consultant, leading national and regional practices and having spent over 12 years in various overseas postings.
John is a non-executive director of Benalla Health (Chair), Mallee Track Health & Community Service (Chair) and Distinctive Options.
He is also a Chisholm Institute Board Sub-Committee member advising on digital, cybersecurity and ICT.
SUE SMETHURST
GAICD
Sue Smethurst joined the BRHS Board of Directors in July 2021.
Sue is an award-winning journalist and author with more than two decades of experience in media, most recently as a Senior Journalist with The Australian Women’s Weekly.
She is a communications and media specialist who has worked across magazine, television, radio and newspaper and is the author of ten books.
Sue currently serves on the community panel of Ad Standards Australia and has previously served on the Boards of the Royal Victorian Eye & Ear Hospital and Destination Gippsland.
STEPHANIE McCAUGHEY
Ms Stephanie McCaughey develops and leads mental health and well-being services with a person-centred approach. She is an accredited mediator with a background in criminology and victimology, including developing and leading organisations through Royal Commissions. Ms McCaughey is a women’s leadership advocate.
Ms McCaughey serves as a Member of the Australian Classification Review Board and is a member of various Australia-wide safeguarding advisory Boards. She is a CEO of an institutional abuse organisation, and director of a trauma-informed, victim-survivor psychosocial service provider.
