Executive team

Rex O'Rourke began as Chief Executive of Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Services in January 2024.

Rex was previously the Regional Executive Director for WA Country Health Service in the Kimberley.

Rex holds a Juris Doctor, Masters-level qualifications in Administrative Law and Policy, a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice and a Bachelor of Behavioural Health Science. He is also a Fellow and Certified Health Executive for the Australasian College of Health Service Management.

Rex has experience in the strategic leadership of health and human services in rural and remote areas of Western Australia and the Northern Territory. He has engaged with Aboriginal Community-Controlled Organisations in the NT, WA and the ACT.

He also worked in the United States to contribute to national health reforms.

Rex is passionate about health equity for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and working towards closing the gap for health outcomes.

Marita is a proud Dauareb descendant from the Eastern Islands of the Torres Strait.

Marita has worked on Thursday Island since 2005 as a Medical Scientist at the Thursday Island Pathology laboratory. She joined Torres and Cape Hospital and Health Service in June 2020 as the Operations Manager Primary Health Care.

In January 2021 she became Manager of Corporate Services North.

Marita has an interest in supporting workforce development and promoting health as a career for local community members.

She is passionate about providing a high-quality health service to the Torres Strait and Northern Peninsula Area with cultural safety embedded throughout.

Michael has over 33 years' experience working for Queensland Health in clinical and senior roles. He is a registered nurse qualified in mental health nursing. He also has a Master of Business Administration with a focus in health management and leadership.

Michael joined Torres and Cape in 2018 and in July 2023 he became our Executive General Manager - Southern Sector.

He has been our Director of Mental Health, Alcohol and Other Drugs and the Director of Nursing for the primary health centres in Cape York. He has also worked as a surveyor with The Australian Council on Healthcare Standards across remote locations.

Michael focuses on robust governance systems to meet National Safety and Quality Health Service standards, and to carry out the clinical and strategic plans.

Wendy joined TCHHS in February 2022, and now acting in the Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health role. She is a proud Aboriginal woman, born in Rockhampton. Her cultural connections are to the Iman Clan and Wadja Wadja.

With 40 years experience Wendy devotes her work to improve the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. She has a clear approach working with stakeholders to close the gap in life expectancy for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.

Wendy has a wealth of experience engaging with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Amanda commenced as Executive Director of Allied Health in July 2022.  She is a health leader and speech pathologist who has experience in hospitals, community health and in private practice. She also has worked in the not-for-profit and Aboriginal community controlled health sectors.

Amanda has an interest in strategic workforce development, advocacy, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health.

She is passionate about improving equity for accessing high quality care and improving results with people's health in rural and remote communities.

Danielle Hoins is a qualified certified practicing accountant with more than 15 years’ experience in financial and corporate services management in the Queensland health sector.

Danielle's expertise is in financial management, strategic and change management, and the development and implementation of corporate governance systems.

Dr Marlow Coates is a rural generalist senior medical officer living on Thursday Island.

He began his career with Queensland Health at Mackay in 2012, before moving to Torres and Cape in 2015.

Marlow has held the roles of Senior Medical Officer, Acting Medical Superintendent, Northern Director of Medical Services.

He has worked as the Executive Director of Medical Services since 2021.

He holds a FRACGP, FACRRM, AFRACMA, JCCA and GAICD and is a current RACMA candidate in training.

Sarah joined Torres and Cape in 2011. She is currently the Acting Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery.

She has 24 years of nursing experience with Queensland Health. More than 20 of these were working in rural and remote areas.

Sarah has held clinical and strategic management roles with the health service, mostly in the Clinical Education Field.

She holds a Bachelor of Nursing, Post Graduate Diplomas in Education and Public Health, and Graduate Certificates in Clinical Education, and Occupational Health and Safety Nursing.

Sarah is passionate about supporting and growing remote and isolated nurses and midwives. This is to allow them to provide the best possible care for our communities.

Lindsay joined Torres and Cape in 2017 and now acting Executive Director Strategy and Investment.

He has been our Capital Works Projects Manager, Capital Works Manager, and the Director of Capital Planning and Program Delivery.

Lindsay holds a Bachelor in Engineering (majoring in Mechanical and Space) and a Project Management Graduate Certificate.

Before joining the health sector, Lindsay worked in consulting and manufacturing sectors.

Lindsay is aiming to improve health equity for the region, and deliver infrastructure investments, so care is closer to home.

Sally O’Kane’s human resource career spans over 25 years. She's responsible for all human resource related services provided to the employees of the Torres and Cape.

Sally is passionate about improving the workplace culture and embracing our cultural diversity so employees truly feel valued and respected in a workplace and can bring their best self to work.