Proud Kuku Yalanji and Tagalaka woman, Haylene Grogan, has been appointed as Queensland’s first-ever Chief Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Officer (and Deputy Director General) of Queensland Health.

NACCHO Acting Chair, Donnella Mills said, “NACCHO congratulates Ms Grogan on her historic appointment and welcomes her experience and knowledge of Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (ACCHOs). This is a significant role as for the first time, this type of leadership position has been created within a government health department.

“We look forward to working constructively with Ms Grogan to improve health outcomes of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people throughout Queensland. We are confident that with Ms Grogan leading the new Aboriginal and Torres Stait Islander Health Division will result in positive progress towards closing the health gap in Queensland for our communities,” said Ms Mills.

Haylene Grogan began her health career with the community controlled Wuchopperen Health Service in Cairns in 1982. She has since held senior positions in the federal and state governments, including in Queensland Health,
in roles encompassing service delivery, policy development, program implementation and project management.

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