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APHA Board

The Board of the Australian Private Hospitals Association (APHA) is elected biennially. The current Board was elected in November 2024.

The Board is drawn from the Council that is elected every two years. Council elections are held in October and the Board elected at the next Council meeting. APHA Councillors represent the diverse membership of APHA, from large for-profit and not-for-profit members, through to small independent and day hospitals.

The Board has responsibility for the strategic direction of the organisation, including:

The Board also makes decisions on the admittance of new Members, based on the guidelines and criteria within the APHA Constitution.

Christine Gee AM - President

Christine Gee AM is the Director of Ramsay Mental Australia and CEO of New Farm Clinic in Queensland. Previously she was CEO of Toowong Private Hospital from 1997-2025. Under her leadership, Toowong Private Hospital became a nationally respected acute mental facility providing treatment and services across inpatient, day patient and community settings.

A three-time President of the APHA, Christine is an enthusiastic advocate for private psychiatric services and mental health services, committed to the provision of people-centered care.

During her career in public and private healthcare spanning over thirty-five years, Christine has received many accolades including a Centenary Medal for distinguished service to the health industry in April 2003.

In recognition of her contribution to the viability, growth, quality and achievements of the private hospital sector, she received the 2005 APHA Individual Achievement Award. In November 2007, Christine was the recipient of a special award created in honour of the 20-year association of Baxter Healthcare and the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards that acknowledged an individual for Longstanding Service to Quality in Australian Healthcare.

She was honoured as the 2021 recipient of the prestigious Gold Medal of the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards for her contribution to safety and quality in Australian health care. Christine was appointed as a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia on 12 June 2023.

She holds a number of Board appointments across local, state and national arenas covering a range of key areas. A committed member of both the APHA Council and Board, she has held the office of President on two previous occasions. She is Chair of the APHA Policy and Advocacy Taskforce and its Psychiatric Committee. Christine is also the President of the Private Hospitals Association of Queensland.

A longstanding Board member of the Australian Commission for Safety and Quality in Health Care, Christine chairs its Private Hospitals Sector Committee, Mental Health Advisory Group and Open Disclosure Advisory Group. She co-Chairs the Patient Safety Reporting Steering Committee. Christine is also a member of the Board of the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare.

Christine is the Chair of the Medical Board of Australia's National Special Issues Committee (Sexual Boundaries and Family Violence). She was appointed as a community member of the Queensland Medical Board in 2014 and also chairs the Qld Registrations Committee.

Prof Andrew Stripp - Vice-President

Andrew is Group Chief Executive of Epworth HealthCare in Melbourne.

He brings extensive health leadership experience gained over 30 years, beginning his career as a Clinical Psychologist.

Andrew was most recently the Chief Executive at Monash Health, Victoria's largest and most comprehensive health service comprising nine hospitals and 46 community-based sites.

Throughout his career, Andrew has led the delivery of high-quality and safe health services, while advancing excellence in academic research and clinical education.

Prior to joining Monash Health, Andrew was the Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer at Alfred Health. Andrew has also worked in various government departments and consulted to hospitals and healthcare systems nationally and internationally.

Dr Tony Scaramuzza - Chair of Council

Tony is a medical doctor with a diverse corporate and clinical professional background in day hospitals, the financial markets and clinical medicine which provides a multi-dimensional insight into the day hospital sector.

His unique perspective and depth of industry knowledge enables him to effectively communicate and provide leadership to address the opportunities and challenges in the day hospital sector which is an expanding and increasingly important component of healthcare in our community.

At an operational level, Tony has extensive experience in all aspects of the development, growth and running of day hospitals, including the management of teams of clinical and administrative staff as well as a complete understanding of the commercial and regulatory aspects of the day hospital sector.

The extensive experience gained from industry research and representation, setting up several day hospitals and their ongoing executive management over the past 15 years provides Tony with a detailed understanding of all operational, strategic, clinical and regulatory aspects of the expanding day hospital sector.

In addition to his direct experience with day hospitals, Tony's diverse professional background in both clinical medicine and commercial finance allows him to be discerning to the interests of all stakeholders, including patients, nurses, doctors, investors, healthcare providers, healthcare payer organisations and government.

Dr Neale Fong

Dr Fong is a registered medical practitioner with more than 40 years' experience in senior leadership roles across Australia's public and private health systems.

His career spans government, private hospitals, academia, health research, public health, aged care, not-for-profit organisations and digital health enterprises. He has particular expertise in governance, large-scale organisational leadership, system reform, change management, digital health and turnaround strategies.

Dr Fong is currently Chair of the Western Australian Child and Adolescent Health Service Board, Chief Executive Officer of Bethesda Health Care, and a director of several health related companies, (Little Green Pharma (ASX: LGP); Intelicare (ASX: ICR); Digital Health CRC).

He is a director of the Australian Private Hospitals Association and Vice President of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, the peak professional body for health executives, having served nine years as President.

He has been Director General of the WA Department of Health, inaugural Chair of the WA Country Health Service, CEO of St John of God Hospital Subiaco and Founding Partner and Chief Medical Director of the Bali International Medical Centre. He was Project Lead for the
establishment of the Curtin Medical School.

Dr Fong has an extensive leadership background in sport and community service. He served for 12 years as Chairman and Commissioner of the WA Football Commission, President of the West Perth Football Club and Chaplain of the West Coast Eagles Football Club. He holds degrees in medicine and surgery, a Master of Business Administration, a Master of Theological Studies, and an honourary Doctor of Medicine form Curtin University.

Greg Hall

Greg serves as Chief Executive Officer of Nexus Hospitals, contributing nearly three decades of expertise in healthcare with an emphasis on private hospital operations, quality clinical services, and business growth.

He holds a Master's degree in Health Management, a Postgraduate Diploma in Intensive Care Nursing, and a Bachelor of Nursing. Greg's foundation in nursing provides him with valuable clinical insight, enhancing his capacity for strategic leadership.

At Nexus, Greg oversees a national network of hospitals and is dedicated to enhancing patient experience, improving clinical outcomes, and achieving operational excellence. He prioritises fostering strong relationships with Visiting Medical Officers and cultivating a workplace culture that empowers teams to provide high-quality, patient-centred care.

Prior to joining Nexus, Greg held the role of Chief Operating Officer, Australia at Ramsay Health Care. His leadership is characterised by a collaborative, people-focused style and a commitment to elevating the profile of private hospitals within Australia's healthcare landscape.

Brett Goods

Brett is Chief Executive Officer for Sydney Adventist Hospital (The San).

He is a hospital leader and administrator with over 30 years of experience working in hospitals, including 28 years in management, administration and senior leadership.

Brett has a positive personality and a unique combination of commercial instinct, academic knowledge, experience, well developed networks, and industry knowledge.

Prior to his appointment as CEO of Adventist HealthCare in June 2018, Brett was General Manager Hospitals and Deputy CEO for Adventist HealthCare (2014 – 2018), CEO Mayo Private Hospital Taree (2012 – 2014), CEO/DON – Toronto Private Hospital NSW (2008 – 2012), Manager Perioperative Services – The Mater Private Hospital North Sydney (2002 – 2008), and Director Perioperative Services – Sydney Adventist Hospital (1999 - 2002).

In addition, Brett has served on the APHA Finance Audit & Risk Committee since February 2018.

Kaylene Elliott

Kaylene Elliott is the National Hospitals Operations Manager for Cura Day Hospitals Group, overseeing the clinical and business operations of all Cura hospitals across Australia. In this role, she is responsible for ensuring that hospitals meet their performance targets and align with Cura's strategic objectives in safety, quality, operational efficiency, and financial performance.

A highly experienced healthcare leader, Kaylene brings four decades of clinical and operational expertise to the Board. She is a Registered Nurse specialising in perioperative care and has held senior leadership roles within the private hospital sector for more than 30 years.

Kaylene joined Cura in 2008 following the acquisition of Toowoomba Surgicentre, where she served as CEO and Director of Nursing for 17 years. Under her leadership, the hospital achieved strong accreditation outcomes, maintained an excellent safety and quality record, and delivered consistently high levels of surgeon and patient satisfaction. In 2016, she was appointed to Cura's Executive Management Team, reflecting her
significant contribution to the organisation's clinical governance, operational performance and culture of continuous improvement.

Kaylene is known for her deep operational insight, collaborative leadership style, and commitment to patient-centred, high-quality care. She plays an integral role in supporting Cura's CEOs and Directors of Nursing nationally and is regarded for her practical, solutions-focused approach to hospital operations and workforce leadership.

Denise Thomas

Denise Chief Operating Officer for the Royal Rehab Group in Sydney.

She is an accomplished senior executive with diverse experience in healthcare and disability settings.

She has held senior executive roles in both the public and private sector health care and in publicly listed groups and government organisations.

A highly adaptive executive with strong commercial acuman, Denise brings a unique mix of skills in leadership, strategy, operational management and project management.

Ben Thynne

Ben is Chair of Healthe Care and a Director of Evolution and InfoMedix. He has spent 24 years in healthcare owning, managing and improving over 50 private hospitals and healthcare businesses across Australia and New Zealand.

Founding Healthe Care in 2005, he also co-founded Evolution Healthcare in 2011.

Prior to entering healthcare, Ben worked at Deutsche Bank in London and practised as a lawyer in Queensland. He holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment.