CESPHN board OF directors



Michael Wright
Dr Michael Wright (Chair) MBBS, MSc, FRACGP, GAICD

Dr Michael Wright is an experienced board director, general practitioner, health economist and health services researcher.  Michael is in clinical practice in Woollahra and has strategic appointments as the the Chief Medical Officer of Avant Mutual (Australia’s largest medical indemnity provider) and as Deputy Chair of the NSW/ ACT RACGP Faculty Board.

Michael is a researcher with the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) at the University of Technology Sydney, where he completed his PhD analysing the association between continuity of care in Australian general practice and health outcomes.

Michael has previously worked in Queensland and spent four years in the UK, where he worked in private and NHS general practice and was a Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.  He is also a Clinical Associate Professor at University of Sydney Medical School.

Michael was previously Chair of the CESPHN Clinical Council, a member of the Evaluation Working Group for the Health Care Homes Program and a member of the Federal Government’s Primary Health Care Advisory Group. Michael is passionate about the need to improve coordination in our health system, including reducing fragmentation of care and maximising the benefits of high-quality primary care.

Michael Wright
Dr Michael Wright (Chair) MBBS, MSc, FRACGP, GAICD

Dr Michael Wright is an experienced board director, general practitioner, health economist and health services researcher.  Michael is in clinical practice in Woollahra and has strategic appointments as the the Chief Medical Officer of Avant Mutual (Australia’s largest medical indemnity provider) and as Deputy Chair of the NSW/ ACT RACGP Faculty Board.

Michael is a researcher with the Centre for Health Economics Research and Evaluation (CHERE) at the University of Technology Sydney, where he completed his PhD analysing the association between continuity of care in Australian general practice and health outcomes.

Michael has previously worked in Queensland and spent four years in the UK, where he worked in private and NHS general practice and was a Research Fellow at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.  He is also a Clinical Associate Professor at University of Sydney Medical School.

Michael was previously Chair of the CESPHN Clinical Council, a member of the Evaluation Working Group for the Health Care Homes Program and a member of the Federal Government’s Primary Health Care Advisory Group. Michael is passionate about the need to improve coordination in our health system, including reducing fragmentation of care and maximising the benefits of high-quality primary care.

Board Teresa Anderson
Dr Teresa Anderson AM B.App Science (Speech Pathology) PhD

Dr Teresa Anderson has worked in the NSW public health system for more than 30 years. She is Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District, providing services to more than 640,000 people in Sydney and beyond. Dr Anderson has extensive experience as a clinician, manager and health service leader.

She has held positions as the Director, Clinical Operations, Sydney South West Area Health Service, General Manager, Liverpool Hospital and Director of Community and Allied Health Services for the Liverpool Health Service.

She serves on the boards of the Ingham Institute, Centenary Institute, Heart Research Institute, ANZAC Research Institute and Healthshare, and is also the Chair of the Sydney Research Council.

Dr Anderson is focused on supporting collaboration and building partnerships to provide excellent health care. She is widely acknowledged for supporting and mentoring her staff in fostering new ideas to drive efficiencies and best practice.

Board Teresa Anderson
Dr Teresa Anderson AM B.App Science (Speech Pathology) PhD

Dr Teresa Anderson has worked in the NSW public health system for more than 30 years. She is Chief Executive of Sydney Local Health District, providing services to more than 640,000 people in Sydney and beyond. Dr Anderson has extensive experience as a clinician, manager and health service leader.

She has held positions as the Director, Clinical Operations, Sydney South West Area Health Service, General Manager, Liverpool Hospital and Director of Community and Allied Health Services for the Liverpool Health Service.

She serves on the boards of the Ingham Institute, Centenary Institute, Heart Research Institute, ANZAC Research Institute and Healthshare, and is also the Chair of the Sydney Research Council.

Dr Anderson is focused on supporting collaboration and building partnerships to provide excellent health care. She is widely acknowledged for supporting and mentoring her staff in fostering new ideas to drive efficiencies and best practice.

Board Gary Nichols
Dr Gary Nicholls MBBS, FRACGP, MRCGP, MRCP, MA, BA(Hons)

Dr Gary Nicholls trained in the UK at Cambridge University and St Bartholomews’ Hospital Medical School, University of London. He has extensive experience in acute general hospital medicine, community health and general practice in both the UK and Australia.

He is especially passionate about developing ways to ‘join up’ services between primary and community care, and hospital care – aiming to improve the health care of patients whilst improving service efficiency.

He holds positions as a Staff Specialist Physician for NSW Health and as a general practitioner in Sydney. He has special interests in the health care of disadvantaged patients, quality use of medicines, patient safety and medical education. Gary is a Conjoint Lecturer in Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School, University of New South Wales.

Board Gary Nichols
Dr Gary Nicholls MBBS, FRACGP, MRCGP, MRCP, MA, BA(Hons)

Dr Gary Nicholls trained in the UK at Cambridge University and St Bartholomews’ Hospital Medical School, University of London. He has extensive experience in acute general hospital medicine, community health and general practice in both the UK and Australia.

He is especially passionate about developing ways to ‘join up’ services between primary and community care, and hospital care – aiming to improve the health care of patients whilst improving service efficiency.

He holds positions as a Staff Specialist Physician for NSW Health and as a general practitioner in Sydney. He has special interests in the health care of disadvantaged patients, quality use of medicines, patient safety and medical education. Gary is a Conjoint Lecturer in Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital Clinical School, University of New South Wales.

Portrait Chris Tzar
Mr Chris Tzarimas (Tzar) MSc(Ex. Rehab.), BSc(HMS), FAAESS, MBA

As the founding director of the Lifestyle Clinic – a local health service operating as a division of the Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW) – Chris has been involved in numerous local, state and federal health initiatives. He commenced his career as an accredited exercise physiologist coordinating evidence-based chronic disease management programs including PLWHA and mental health. He is the current Chair of the Multi-Disciplinary Group within the Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN) in Sydney.

His previous posts include Chair, Exercise Is Medicine – Australia (the Australian arm of the global health initiative), Board Director of the Eastern Sydney Medicare Local (ESML), Executive Committee of the NSW Cancer Survivors Centre and the primary care representative to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). He is also a member of the Central & Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network (CESAHN) and was previously a Board Director of the Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network (ESAHN).

An advocate for allied-health services playing an integral role in person-centred care, Chris is passionate about translating research into practice to promote healthy lifestyles and keep people out of hospitals.

He has contributed extensively to the Central & Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CEPSHN) through Board Sub-committees including the Finance Committee (November 2017 to current), Audit and Risk Committee (November 2016 to current) and Nominations Committee (Chairperson – August 2016 to November 2017), as well as the Board representative to the Clinical Council (June 2016 to current).

Special responsibilities Finance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, Nominations Committee

Portrait Chris Tzar
Mr Chris Tzarimas (Tzar) MSc(Ex. Rehab.), BSc(HMS), FAAESS, MBA

As the founding director of the Lifestyle Clinic – a local health service operating as a division of the Faculty of Medicine, University of NSW) – Chris has been involved in numerous local, state and federal health initiatives. He commenced his career as an accredited exercise physiologist coordinating evidence-based chronic disease management programs including PLWHA and mental health. He is the current Chair of the Multi-Disciplinary Group within the Translational Cancer Research Network (TCRN) in Sydney.

His previous posts include Chair, Exercise Is Medicine – Australia (the Australian arm of the global health initiative), Board Director of the Eastern Sydney Medicare Local (ESML), Executive Committee of the NSW Cancer Survivors Centre and the primary care representative to the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (ACSQHC). He is also a member of the Central & Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network (CESAHN) and was previously a Board Director of the Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network (ESAHN).

An advocate for allied-health services playing an integral role in person-centred care, Chris is passionate about translating research into practice to promote healthy lifestyles and keep people out of hospitals.

He has contributed extensively to the Central & Eastern Sydney Primary Health Network (CEPSHN) through Board Sub-committees including the Finance Committee (November 2017 to current), Audit and Risk Committee (November 2016 to current) and Nominations Committee (Chairperson – August 2016 to November 2017), as well as the Board representative to the Clinical Council (June 2016 to current).

Special responsibilities Finance Committee, Audit and Risk Committee, Nominations Committee

Sharlene M
Sharlene McKenzie Dip Community and Social Development, OAM

Sharlene is a Wiradjuri woman who grew up on the South Coast of NSW. She was the chair of the Community Council from 2019 to March 2022 and has worked closely with CESPHN for many years including as a member of the CESPHN Aboriginal Advisory. She brings to the board strong knowledge of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the region as well as expertise in working with community organisations.

Sharlene has a deep passion for supporting people with complex mental health issues and is a member of the Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Network. She also works with and advocates for community members who have acquired brain injuries and in contact with the criminal justice system.

Sharlene is also very passionate about building the capacity of organisations to successfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and aiding them to form respectful partnerships that will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to deliver the programs that they have designed to community. Sharlene delivers Cultural Awareness training to organisations and individuals. She also provides Cultural Supervision to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working in the wider NGO sector.

Sharlene M
Sharlene McKenzie Dip Community and Social Development, OAM

Sharlene is a Wiradjuri woman who grew up on the South Coast of NSW. She was the chair of the Community Council from 2019 to March 2022 and has worked closely with CESPHN for many years including as a member of the CESPHN Aboriginal Advisory. She brings to the board strong knowledge of issues affecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples within the region as well as expertise in working with community organisations.

Sharlene has a deep passion for supporting people with complex mental health issues and is a member of the Suicide Prevention Lived Experience Network. She also works with and advocates for community members who have acquired brain injuries and in contact with the criminal justice system.

Sharlene is also very passionate about building the capacity of organisations to successfully engage with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and aiding them to form respectful partnerships that will enable Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to deliver the programs that they have designed to community. Sharlene delivers Cultural Awareness training to organisations and individuals. She also provides Cultural Supervision to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander staff working in the wider NGO sector.

Board Member
Mr Rene Pennock

Renee Pennock graduated as a physiotherapist in 1989 (The University of Sydney) and spent the first 15 years of his career working in the public sector for South Western Sydney Area Health service performing both clinical and management roles.

In 2004, Renee became the CEO of the Macarthur Division of General practice and during the ongoing primary health care reform, progressed to the CEO of South Western Sydney Medicare Local (SWSML) and then South Western Sydney PHN.

Rene completed a post graduate diploma in gerontology (The University of Sydney) and the Board Directors course (AICD). He is currently working for himself as a consultant in the health sector, working for various organisations. Most of his professional career has been in the primary and community sectors, working with allied health, nursing and medical specialties such as general practitioners, geriatricians and paediatricians. He has been commissioning services since his time in SWSML with an increased focus on this type of business as CEO of SWSPHN.

Over the past 10 years he has implemented quality in general practice support services, practice nursing workforce support and a health alliance model of care. He also began an interoperability platform to enable real time sharing of clinical data between the acute and primary care sector. His current independent role enables him to share expertise and knowledge across a wide range of sectors and regions.

Board Member
Mr Rene Pennock

Renee Pennock graduated as a physiotherapist in 1989 (The University of Sydney) and spent the first 15 years of his career working in the public sector for South Western Sydney Area Health service performing both clinical and management roles.

In 2004, Renee became the CEO of the Macarthur Division of General practice and during the ongoing primary health care reform, progressed to the CEO of South Western Sydney Medicare Local (SWSML) and then South Western Sydney PHN.

Rene completed a post graduate diploma in gerontology (The University of Sydney) and the Board Directors course (AICD). He is currently working for himself as a consultant in the health sector, working for various organisations. Most of his professional career has been in the primary and community sectors, working with allied health, nursing and medical specialties such as general practitioners, geriatricians and paediatricians. He has been commissioning services since his time in SWSML with an increased focus on this type of business as CEO of SWSPHN.

Over the past 10 years he has implemented quality in general practice support services, practice nursing workforce support and a health alliance model of care. He also began an interoperability platform to enable real time sharing of clinical data between the acute and primary care sector. His current independent role enables him to share expertise and knowledge across a wide range of sectors and regions.

Tobi
Mr Tobi Wilson

Tobi Wilson was appointed to the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive position in April 2019. Tobi brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held various executive positions, most recently spending two and a half years as General Manager of Prince of Wales Hospital and Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital.

Tobi’s extensive experience in executive and senior management roles includes two years as Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network. In these roles, he demonstrated a proven ability to drive clinical change through redesign, including the delivery of several capital redevelopments.

Tobi began his career as a physiotherapist, before completing a Masters of Health Science Management at the University of South Australia

Tobi
Mr Tobi Wilson

Tobi Wilson was appointed to the South Eastern Sydney Local Health District Chief Executive position in April 2019. Tobi brings a wealth of experience to the role, having held various executive positions, most recently spending two and a half years as General Manager of Prince of Wales Hospital and Sydney Hospital and Sydney Eye Hospital.

Tobi’s extensive experience in executive and senior management roles includes two years as Chief Operating Officer at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and Acting Chief Executive Officer, Southern Adelaide Local Health Network. In these roles, he demonstrated a proven ability to drive clinical change through redesign, including the delivery of several capital redevelopments.

Tobi began his career as a physiotherapist, before completing a Masters of Health Science Management at the University of South Australia

Agsm Ft 2023 Peggy Huang Head And Shoulders
Ms Peggy Huang GAICD, BAppSc (Exercise and Sports Sci), BSc (Hon. Class I Nutr and Dietetics) USYD, Dip Rehab, Dip Leadership and Management, Dip Project Management

Peggy has six years of experience as a board director, combined with 13 years of clinical experience providing individual and group services across a variety of settings including general practice and practice support, hospitals, rehab, youth, and aged care.

Before joining the EIS board, Peggy was Chairperson of the Central and Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network (CESAHN) Board of Directors, member of the CESPHN Clinical Council and allied health representative on Sydney Health Pathways and the CESPHN‑SLHD Liaison Committee.

With a varied background in health and community services, education and training, project management, leadership and management development, supplemented by MBA (Law) studies, Peggy brings to the board strategic advice through multiple professional lenses.

She is also a Non-Executive Director for 3Bridges Community and member of the 3Bridges Governance and Risk Committee.

Peggy is committed to achieving better health for all and building stronger communities through responsible management, whilst engaging stakeholders and the community in creating shared value.

Agsm Ft 2023 Peggy Huang Head And Shoulders
Ms Peggy Huang GAICD, BAppSc (Exercise and Sports Sci), BSc (Hon. Class I Nutr and Dietetics) USYD, Dip Rehab, Dip Leadership and Management, Dip Project Management

Peggy has six years of experience as a board director, combined with 13 years of clinical experience providing individual and group services across a variety of settings including general practice and practice support, hospitals, rehab, youth, and aged care.

Before joining the EIS board, Peggy was Chairperson of the Central and Eastern Sydney Allied Health Network (CESAHN) Board of Directors, member of the CESPHN Clinical Council and allied health representative on Sydney Health Pathways and the CESPHN‑SLHD Liaison Committee.

With a varied background in health and community services, education and training, project management, leadership and management development, supplemented by MBA (Law) studies, Peggy brings to the board strategic advice through multiple professional lenses.

She is also a Non-Executive Director for 3Bridges Community and member of the 3Bridges Governance and Risk Committee.

Peggy is committed to achieving better health for all and building stronger communities through responsible management, whilst engaging stakeholders and the community in creating shared value.

Sreed 2022
Sarah Reed

Sarah Reed is a senior executive with diversified capabilities in health technology, health communications and social services. Throughout her professional career, she has applied her executive and operational experience to excel in situations that require integrity, resilience, and leadership.

Sarah is a valued advisor in the health industry to national corporations, small businesses, and not-for-profit organisations, where she has excelled in strategic consulting to colleagues in life science, food science, pharmaceuticals, human services and animal health. Sarah takes a contemporary view when facing issues, based on experience with health technology innovators, strategic medical communication companies and clinical research organisations.

Sarah was one of the first employees of Telstra Health, where she worked alongside the mergers and acquisitions team to spearhead the planning and implementation of every significant acquisition during the start-up period. Sarah has worked at Mission Australia, helping shape the NFPs service portfolio and leading the business development and tender team to secure social services that work to end homelessness in Australia. Sarah founded and led two successful private businesses: one in healthcare communications and one in clinical research (cohort recruitment). Both businesses she founded focused on clients in the health sector and delivered impact across multiple therapeutic areas.

Highlights of qualifications include:

  • Non-Executive Director, CESPHN (since 2022)
  • Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors (since 2007)
  • MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, UNSW (2012 – 13)
  • Master of Public Affairs from the University of Sydney (2000 – 04)
  • Bachelor of Science, The Ohio State University (1983 – 87)
  • Certificate in ProSci Change Management (2016)
  • Advisory Board Centre, Advisor to owners of health-related businesses (Freelance since 2018)
Sreed 2022
Sarah Reed

Sarah Reed is a senior executive with diversified capabilities in health technology, health communications and social services. Throughout her professional career, she has applied her executive and operational experience to excel in situations that require integrity, resilience, and leadership.

Sarah is a valued advisor in the health industry to national corporations, small businesses, and not-for-profit organisations, where she has excelled in strategic consulting to colleagues in life science, food science, pharmaceuticals, human services and animal health. Sarah takes a contemporary view when facing issues, based on experience with health technology innovators, strategic medical communication companies and clinical research organisations.

Sarah was one of the first employees of Telstra Health, where she worked alongside the mergers and acquisitions team to spearhead the planning and implementation of every significant acquisition during the start-up period. Sarah has worked at Mission Australia, helping shape the NFPs service portfolio and leading the business development and tender team to secure social services that work to end homelessness in Australia. Sarah founded and led two successful private businesses: one in healthcare communications and one in clinical research (cohort recruitment). Both businesses she founded focused on clients in the health sector and delivered impact across multiple therapeutic areas.

Highlights of qualifications include:

  • Non-Executive Director, CESPHN (since 2022)
  • Fellow, Australian Institute of Company Directors (since 2007)
  • MBA from the Australian Graduate School of Management, UNSW (2012 – 13)
  • Master of Public Affairs from the University of Sydney (2000 – 04)
  • Bachelor of Science, The Ohio State University (1983 – 87)
  • Certificate in ProSci Change Management (2016)
  • Advisory Board Centre, Advisor to owners of health-related businesses (Freelance since 2018)
Lbc Colour
Ms Larissa Cook BA (Hons), LLB (Syd), FGIA, GAICD Board Director and Member of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee

Larissa is an experienced strategic commercial and legal advisor and Non-Executive Director with an extensive and diverse background in-house and in private practice both in Australia and internationally.  Larissa’s professional focus is on identifying, mitigating and managing commercial, legal, regulatory and reputational risk.

As a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors  and an experienced Director, Larissa has a comprehensive understanding of corporate governance, risk and compliance and has been involved in significant review and implementation processes in this area.

Larissa specialised in healthcare and medical law at one of Australia’s largest law firms for more than 20 years and was also the General Counsel for Litigation and Dispute Resolution at an ASX 100 financial services company.

Larissa was, for nearly a decade, a Director, Deputy Chair and then Chair of the Board of a profit for purpose company in the education sector.  Larissa is currently a director of St John Ambulance NSW and Chairs its Clinical Governance Committee.  She is also a Director of Hunter Health Insurance, where she sits on the Risk Committee and Chairs the Climate Change Working Group.  Larissa has also served as a Senior Legal Member of the Guardianship Division of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

In addition to her professional experience Larissa is also a breast cancer survivor.  Consequently, she has lived experienced of the importance of primary healthcare in prevention, screening and co-ordination of care.  Larissa is passionate about the critical role which primary healthcare plays in making our health system more effective and efficient by easing the burden on frontline resources and improving health outcomes for individuals and the community as a whole.  She is keen to contribute to improving these outcomes in the Central and Eastern Sydney area.

Lbc Colour
Ms Larissa Cook BA (Hons), LLB (Syd), FGIA, GAICD Board Director and Member of the Finance Audit and Risk Committee

Larissa is an experienced strategic commercial and legal advisor and Non-Executive Director with an extensive and diverse background in-house and in private practice both in Australia and internationally.  Larissa’s professional focus is on identifying, mitigating and managing commercial, legal, regulatory and reputational risk.

As a Fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors  and an experienced Director, Larissa has a comprehensive understanding of corporate governance, risk and compliance and has been involved in significant review and implementation processes in this area.

Larissa specialised in healthcare and medical law at one of Australia’s largest law firms for more than 20 years and was also the General Counsel for Litigation and Dispute Resolution at an ASX 100 financial services company.

Larissa was, for nearly a decade, a Director, Deputy Chair and then Chair of the Board of a profit for purpose company in the education sector.  Larissa is currently a director of St John Ambulance NSW and Chairs its Clinical Governance Committee.  She is also a Director of Hunter Health Insurance, where she sits on the Risk Committee and Chairs the Climate Change Working Group.  Larissa has also served as a Senior Legal Member of the Guardianship Division of the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

In addition to her professional experience Larissa is also a breast cancer survivor.  Consequently, she has lived experienced of the importance of primary healthcare in prevention, screening and co-ordination of care.  Larissa is passionate about the critical role which primary healthcare plays in making our health system more effective and efficient by easing the burden on frontline resources and improving health outcomes for individuals and the community as a whole.  She is keen to contribute to improving these outcomes in the Central and Eastern Sydney area.

Charlotte Hespe Headshot
Professor Charlotte Hespe
Charlotte Hespe Headshot
Professor Charlotte Hespe