Our Executive

Health Service Chief Executive

Kieran Keyes

Kieran is a proud alumnus of James Cook University, holding a Bachelor of Nursing Science and a Masters of Business Administration.

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Kieran joined the Townsville Hospital and Health Service in 2012 as the Chief Operating Officer before taking up the substantive position of Health Service Chief Executive in June 2018. Kieran has held the positions of the interim Chief Executive at both the Townsville Hospital and Health Service and at the Wide Bay Hospital and Health Service; with the latter he managed its transition to Board governance. Kieran has held senior executive roles with Townsville, Wide Bay and Metro North Hospital and Health Services and the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

In addition, he has held leadership roles in the corporate areas of Queensland Health. Kieran began his professional career as a registered nurse, working in coronary care at the Townsville General Hospital. Kieran is an Adjunct Professor of the Division of Tropical Health and Medicine at James Cook University and he is also a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. When not working, Kieran is happiest when with family, fishing and coaching or refereeing rugby.

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Chief Operating Officer

Stephen Eaton

Stephen joined the Townsville Hospital and Health Service (THHS) in June 2016 as the Service Group Director for the Medical Service Group before moving into the permanent role of Chief Operating Officer (COO) in November 2018.

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The COO role provides effective leadership for the delivery of day-to-day patient-centered operational services across the THHS. Stephen has a Masters degree in Public Health, specialising in Health Service Management. He has also undertaken a number of senior management roles across public, private and non-government organisation sectors, while based in Europe and South East Asia.

Stephen and his family made the move from the United Kingdom to Australia in 2016, although he remains a passionate Manchester United supporter.

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Chief Medical Officer

Dr Niall Small

Niall is from Edinburgh and after medical school and training in General Practice, moved to Queensland. He is a specialist Emergency Physician and has worked in Townsville since 1997 as the Director of Emergency Medicine and as the Medical Director of the Medical Service Group.

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He is currently the Chief Medical Officer at Townsville Hospital and Health Service, previously Co-Chair of the Queensland Emergency Department Strategic Advisory Panel, and has roles working with the Australasian College for Emergency Medicine. He is a strong advocate of the ongoing development of clinical services and clinical training across North Queensland and has a particular interest in improving patient experience and flow through our complex health system.

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Executive Director Nursing and Midwifery

Judy Morton

Judy is highly experienced health service executive responsible for the delivery of nursing and midwifery services across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

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Judy has 25 years’ experience encompasses rural, regional and tertiary heath service delivery. Her roles have been diverse including executive clinical and operational roles in Australia, Europe and UK.

Judy is a passionate advocate for the delivery of person-centred care and empowering nurses and midwives to embrace innovation and advanced practise models.

She is an advocate for northern Queensland and has led many projects focusing on equitable health services and growing a contemporary north Queensland nursing and midwifery workforce for the future.

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Executive Director Allied Health

Danielle Hornsby

Danielle is a seasoned health service executive who has a passion for driving innovation to improve health services in regional centres.

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She currently leads the practice of some 700 allied health clinicians across the broader Townsville region, with a reputation and achievement record which has influenced rural health policy and practice nationally for over two decades. She is a speech pathologist by background, holds a Master in Business Administration and is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Chief Finance Officer

Anthony Mathas 

Anthony is an experienced financial leader in the health and social care sector with more than 15 years’ senior management experience in financial performance and analysis, statutory and advisory services, risk and corporate governance, and procurement and contract management. Most recently Anthony was the Executive Director, Finance at the Queensland Ambulance Service.

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Anthony has a Bachelor of Science, Graduate Diploma of Management, Master of Business, and is a Fellow of CPA Australia and a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

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Executive Director, People Strategy and Governance

Sharon Kelly

Sharon brings to the Executive broad experience in health care delivery and executive management across acute, rural, and community settings in both Queensland and South Australia.

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She has significant experience in policy, corporate and strategic governance, human resources and risk management. Her previous roles have included General Manager, Community and Scientific Support, Health Support Queensland, and Executive Director, Mental Health and Specialised Services, West Moreton Hospital and Health Service. She has also held the interim position of Health Service Chief Executive in the West Moreton Hospital and Health Service.

Sharon has a Bachelor of Nursing and Master of Health Administration and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and member of Australian College of Health Service Management.

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Acting Executive Director of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health

Amanda Cooms 

Amanda is a proud Noonuccal woman, custodian of the land Minjerribah - the land, waterways, skies and spiritual systems of North Stradbroke Island - and comes from a tradition of artists, weavers, educators, storytellers, healers, lore people and political activists for social justice.

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Amanda joined the Townsville Hospital and Health Service as a social worker in 2016 and progressed to Assistant Director of the Social Work Department for almost two years before being provided an opportunity in her current position as Acting Executive Director for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health.

Amanda has worked in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health for over 25 years with a strong community perspective, significant experience in governance and community engagement and is passionate about improving health outcomes and equitable access to healthcare and support services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. 

She believes in change from a grassroots level and self-determination as essential to support and empower historically underprivileged Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

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Executive Director Digital Health and Knowledge

Louise Hayes

Louise Hayes is the Executive Director Digital Health and Knowledge Management at Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

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Louise is an experienced digital health enthusiast and health informatician working across the health sector for more than 20 years, in areas of strategy development, eHealth foundation design and implementation of electronic medical record solutions.

Qualifying as a CHIA (Certified Health Informatician Australasia) in 2014 as one of Australia’s inaugural certified practitioners has confirmed her passion and growth into the digital health profession and this is demonstrated through her many commitments of mentoring, lecturing, presenting at conferences and workshops and writing articles, and as the Chair of Health Informatics Society of Australia, Queensland Branch.

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Executive Director of Clinical Governance

Marina Daly

Marina joined the Executive team in November 2019 and is responsible for ensuring safety and quality of care for our patients.

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In the role of Executive Director of Clinical Governance, Marina spearheads clinical assurance and improvement activities across the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

The role includes maintaining standards set by health and aged care commissions, which is crucial for the community to have confidence in the safety and quality of the care the health service provides.

Marina leads, promotes and supports the Townsville Hospital and Health Service's strategic focus on research and innovation.

Marina began her healthcare career as a nurse and midwife in Ireland and has a degree in health sciences in nursing and a Masters degree in nursing leadership from James Cook University

Marina and her family are proud Cowboys supporters and members of the Picnic Bay Surf Lifesaving Club. The family also cheer for the Wallabies with Marina maintaining her allegiance to Irish rugby. 

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Executive Director Infrastructure Program Delivery

Stuart Garantziotis

Stuart joined the Executive team in March 2023 and is responsible for overseeing the planning and delivery of healthcare infrastructure projects throughout the Townsville Hospital and Health Service.

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Before relocating to Townsville, Stuart was the assistant director of nursing (capital projects) at Mackay Base Hospital where he coordinated a range of healthcare infrastructure projects across the Mackay Hospital and Health Service.

Stuart’s professional experience spans the property, construction and healthcare sectors. He completed a bachelor’s  degree in property and sustainable development and worked as a project manager on commercial, residential, and industrial construction projects in Melbourne before perusing a career change in nursing.  

After completing a Bachelor of Nursing, Stuart developed an interest in critical care while working at Gold Coast Private Hospital, Gold Coast University Hospital and Mackay Base Hospital. This interest pushed him to complete a Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing. During his time as a clinician, Stuart also worked as a nurse navigator in the emergency department and as a clinical nurse consultant for Hospital in the Home.

In his new role, Stuart has combined his experience from both previous careers and is focused on driving the strategic planning and delivery of timely and high-quality healthcare infrastructure projects which meet the evolving needs of future generations. This focus includes challenging the status quo to ensure healthcare infrastructure projects use sustainable design principles to optimise the experience of all patients and visitors. 

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