Chief Executive

Annette Scott

Annette is Health Service Chief Executive at Darling Downs Health. She commenced her career in health as a physiotherapist. She spent her earlier career as a private practitioner in solo practice in Central Queensland and later joined the Queensland public health system where she subsequently fulfilled a number of roles as a senior clinician, project manager and, Quality and Safety Manager.

Annette subsequently focused her career on health service management and has extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary health services across a range of settings including acute inpatients, community and rural outreach. Prior to the role of Health Service Chief Executive she was the Executive Director of Allied Health and the Allied Health Statewide representative on the Queensland Clinical Senate Executive, Queensland’s peak clinical advisory body.

Some of her most notable achievements focus on the implementation of several successful telehealth-enabled clinical services across the southern region of Queensland including the Premier’s award-winning Telehealth Pre-admission Clinic at the Toowoomba Hospital.

In addition, she was responsible for implementing a range of innovative Health Practitioner workforce redesign initiatives that attracted national and statewide attention for positive impact on patient flow and service efficiency.

In 2020, Annette undertook the lead role as COVID Health Incident Commander for Darling Downs Health, as well as the lead for the roll out of the COVID vaccination program across the region. In June 2021 she was awarded a Public Service Medal for her services to health as well as awarded recognition through the Queens Honour Roll for her role in the COVID 19 response.    

Annette was a key contributor to the design and implementation of Southern Queensland Rural Health, a University Department of Rural Health and continues to forge strong collaborative relationships with a number of University partners.

Executive Director Mental Health

Greg Neilson

Mr Greg Neilson was appointed Executive Director, Mental Health in June 2016.

Greg leads mental health, and alcohol and other drugs services which includes acute and extended inpatient and ambulatory services.

He has over 25 years’ experience in senior nursing and management positions in Darling Downs Health, Division of Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs.

Hospital trained in general and psychiatric nursing, he completed additional post-basic qualifications in gerontic nursing, advanced psychiatric nursing and community mental health.

He has a Bachelor of Health Science (Nursing) and Masters Degrees in Nursing, Mental Health Nursing, Advanced Practice Nursing and a Masters Degree in Health Service Management.

Greg is a Fellow of the Australian College of Mental Health Nurses and Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

He is also currently engaged in the development of a comprehensive regional mental health plan with partners throughout the Darling Downs and West Moreton Regions.

Executive Director Queensland Rural Medical Service Executive Director Medical Services

Dr Hwee Sin Chong

Dr Hwee Sin Chong was selected as the new Executive Director of the Queensland Rural Medical Service in 2017.

She leads and is responsible for the development of strategies to enhance the delivery of rural and remote medical workforce services across Queensland. This includes the Queensland Rural Generalist Program.

Hwee Sin is also responsible for 5 other state wide vocational training pathways. These include Basic and Advanced General Adult Medicine, Basic and Advanced Paediatrics, and Intensive Care Medicine, and other relieving services.

She joined Darling Downs Health in 2011 as the Deputy Director of Medical Services in Toowoomba, and in 2014 as Executive Director Medical Services.

Hwee Sin is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators and has a Master of Health Management and Master of International Public Health.

Executive Director Rural

Dr Christopher Cowling

Dr Christopher Cowling first commenced with Darling Downs Health as a member of the Clinical Governance Unit in 2020. In October of 2020 Dr Cowling then commenced in the role of Director of Medical Services – Western Cluster. In this role Dr Cowling provided medical leadership to support staff across the cluster. Dr Cowling continued in this role until his appointment to his current position of Executive Director of Rural.

Prior to this Dr Cowling trained and worked as a Rural Generalist with an advanced skill in Anaesthetics. He studied Medicine at James Cook University in his home town of Townsville.

He commenced his medical career as an Intern at the Townsville University Hospital prior to undertaking his Rural Generalist training across locations including Roma, Bundaberg, Innisfail and Charleville. This included time working for many years with the Royal Flying Doctors Service based out of Charleville.

Dr Cowling is a Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine and has a Master of Health Leadership and Management from the University of New South Wales.

Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery Services

Andrea Nagle

Ms Andrea Nagle is a career nurse who has worked in the public and private health sectors as well as non-government health organisations.

Andrea was appointed as the Darling Downs Health Director of Nursing Rural (Western Cluster), before stepping into the Darling Downs Health EDNMS role in July 2017.

Andrea leads nursing and midwifery services across Darling Downs Health to maximise the potential of nursing to enhance health outcomes for the health service.

She was a Senior Flight Nurse for the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia.

Andrea was also the first nurse involved in aeromedical retrievals in the Nambour Department of Emergency Medicine.

Her other roles include Clinical Nurse Manager at Wesley Emergency Centre, Toowoomba Hospital Nursing Director and Service Manager (Women’s and Children’s and Emergency Department).

Andrea has a Bachelor of Nursing and Masters of Health Management (Health Administration) and is a Global Nurse Leaders Institute 2020 Scholar.

Executive Director Allied Health

Louise Van Every

Ms Louise Van Every was appointed to the Executive Director, Allied Health in January 2023 and has relocated with her family to Toowoomba.  Louise is an Occupational Therapist by background and has completed a Graduate Diploma in Rural and Remote Health.

Louise started her career working in the North Burnett as a generalist Occupational Therapist and then moved to West Moreton Hospital and Health Service where she worked in many roles from clinical service delivery to program management and senior leadership positions.  Louise then joined Children’s Health Queensland as the Director of The Child Development Program and led the programs workforce and relocation business case for change. From this position Louise moved into the Divisional Director of Child and Youth Community Health Services where she was involved in leading a variety of community health partnership initiatives that supported improved outcomes for children and families.

Most recently Louise has been in the role of Divisional Director Clinical Support Services based at Queensland Children’s Hospital where she provided operational and strategic leadership for a range of services which included a workforce comprised of Allied Health Practitioners, Clinical Nurses, Medical Officers and Administration Staff.

Louise is focused on innovation and promoting the opportunities for Allied Health Practitioners in Darling Downs Health.  Louise looks forward supporting the delivery of person centred healthcare for the Darling Downs community.

Chief Finance Officer

Jane Ranger

In this role, Jane provides single point accountability for the Finance Division including Financial Control, Commercial Management and Procurement, Health Information Services and the Business Analysis and Development areas ensuring the prudent financial management for Darling Downs Health.

Jane has extensive experience at a senior level in the banking, hospitality, public transport, manufacturing and building industries.

She also has senior level experience in both public and private health care. This includes 5 years as the State Commercial Manager, Queensland, Northern Territory and New South Wales for Healthscope, the second largest private healthcare provider in Australia.

Jane has a Bachelor of Business from Griffith University Gold Coast, where she graduated as dux of the year.

Jane gained her CPA status in 2002 and was awarded a Fellowship in 2019.

In 2018 she gained a Graduate Australian Institute of Company Directors and completed the Queensland Health Change Leadership Program in association with KPMG and Harvard University.

Executive Director Infrastructure

Dr Paul Clayton

Dr Paul Clayton is our Executive Director, Infrastructure and leads the Infrastructure Division and ensures the coordinated delivery of Darling Downs Health infrastructure and maintenance projects.

Paul joined Darling Downs Health in 2016 after more than 20 years in project management and technical services delivery.

He has a technical background in the aquatic sciences but has worked in senior management and major project oversight roles for the past decade.

Before joining our executive team, Paul contributed to the Darling Downs Health Strategic Plan 2016-2020.

He was also responsible for progressing arrangements for coordinated infrastructure and asset management across the health service.

His career includes direct experience in research, government, and the private sector.

Before joining Darling Downs Health, Paul was General Manager for an international consultancy and contractor company.

His role included working with clients on infrastructure projects for resources, transport, urban development, agricultural sectors and for all 3 tiers of government in Australia.

Executive Director Workforce

Kylie Pippos

Kylie Pippos joined Darling Downs Health in the role of Executive Director Workforce in January 2023.  The Executive Director Workforce provides strategic oversight to the workplace relations, work health and safety, occupational violence prevention and security, recruitment and attraction, workforce planning, learning and development and workforce capability culture and engagement teams.

Kylie is a senior human resources professional with over 20 years’ experience across a broad range of industries including health, aged and community care, finance, and retailing. She has worked in a number of leadership roles in large complex organisations, including almost five years as General Manager of Business Partnering (People & Culture) with UnitingCare Queensland and five years in senior leadership positions with Mater Group.

Kylie holds a Bachelor of Arts in Industrial Relations and Sociology and is a certified professional member of the Australian Human Resources Institute.  In 2020 Kylie completed a Leadership Excellence Program in conjunction with McKinsey & Company to further enhance her leadership and coaching skills.

Kylie has recently moved from Brisbane to the Toowoomba region with her family and is looking forward to building a future with them here.

Executive Director Transformation Analytics and Governance

Dr Lynnette Knowles

Dr Lynnette Knowles was appointed as Executive Director Transformation, Analytics and Governance in January 2023. Prior to this she was the Director Clinical Governance for Darling Downs Health.

Dr Knowles provides strategic oversight to the Governance (Safety, Engagement, Reliability Quality, Risk and Compliance), Program Management, Research, Emergency Preparedness, Strategy, Planning and Analytics units within Darling Downs Health.

Dr Knowles has experience across multiple settings including private and public secondary, tertiary and quaternary health services in both metropolitan and regional settings.  She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, a Certified Health Informatician and holds a Master of Health Management.

Lynnette has long-standing interest and experience in research, completing a Bachelor of Science (Hons) and Master of Philosophy.  She has set up new technology services for the university sector both with Australian and Europe and has experience in diverse research areas including developmental biology, medical leadership and healthcare workforce development.  She is an avid proponent for innovation and compassion in healthcare.  She is driven ensure that our systems enable our staff to support safe, quality care delivery for our patients, consumers and communities.

Executive Director Toowoomba Hospital

Rachel Phillips

Rachel Phillips was appointed to Executive Director of Toowoomba Hospital in December 2023 and has been working in Queensland Health since 2001.

Rachel has worked as clinician, professional leader and Executive Director in acute and ambulatory care settings, primary care, and mental health.

Prior to joining Darling Downs Health she worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) as Executive Director of Clinical Support Services including six months as Acting Executive Director PAH.

Rachel is a Clinical Psychologist by training and currently the Chair of the Psychology Board of Australia.

Rachel has a strong interest and experience in health practitioner regulation, clinical education, implementation science, and clinical and professional ethics.

Last updated: December 2023