Bios — Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network

Professor Denis King, OAM MB, BS, FRACS Clinical Professor Graduate School of Medicine, University of Wollongong Associate Adjunct Professor, University of NSW Colorectal surgeon - 40 years experience Member of the Boards of St George and Sutherland Medical Research Foundation and the Illawarra Health and Medical Research Foundation University of Wollongong Fellow Former Chair of the NSW Health Ministerial Advisory Committee Former Chair of the ISLHD Board Former Executive Clinical Director, SESIAHS and the Director of the Division of Surgery at St George Hospital Former member of the Council of the University of Wollongong Former member of the Advisory Board of the John Curtin School of Medical Research
The Hon. Jillian Skinner Member of NSW Parliament 23 years; 14 years Shadow Minister for Health; two years Shadow Minister for Education; six years Minister for Health and four years also Minister for Medical Research. During her time as Minister she: Reformed the NSW public health system, increasing treatment, transparency and accountability through a devolved structure which involved establishing Local Health District and Specialty Network Boards. Redeveloped hundreds of hospitals, boosting investment in IT, integrated community-based care, medical research and social policy programs including organ donation, pain management, improved palliative care and elimination of the transmission of HIV. Since retiring in 2017 she continues her involvement in health care, through Jillian Skinner Consultants, including roles as: Chair of the Australian Healthcare & Hospitals Association Director of the Board of the Children’s Cancer Institute Australia; Member of the Cancer Australia Advisory Council; Member of the CSIRO Health & Biosecurity Advisory Group Member of the Justice Health & Forensic Mental Health Network Board Member of the Violet Strategic Advisory Committee Member of DetectED-x Advisory Board Member of the Australian British Health Catalyst Advisory Board Patron Karitane
Professor Penny Abbott MBBS (Hons) PhD MPH CF GAICD FRACGP Professor, Department of General Practice, Western Sydney University Visiting General Practitioner (GP) Justice Health and Forensic Mental Health Network Chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners Custodial Health Specific Interests Group Member of Western Sydney Primary Health Network Clinical Council and GP Leaders group Member of the General Practice Advisory Group, Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW Ministry of Health General Practitioner in Aboriginal community controlled health sector from 1991 - 2017
Mr Roger Downs LLB, BCom, Dip.Mgt Deputy Chair – Warrigal Care (not for profit aged care provider) Board Member and former Chair– Illawarra Credit Union Ltd 10 years on the Board of Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District (ended 2021) Retired lawyer – former law firm partner specialising in commercial and business law, former Chair and member of the NSW Law Society Business Law Committee
Mr Paul Knight Director of several private businesses in industries such as Property Development and Management, Information Technology (AR, VR and XR). Tourism and Hospitality Board appointments with NSW Heritage Council, NSW NPWS Council, Coordinare Limited (PHN) Independent Chair of the Audit and Risk committee for the Illawarra Shoalhaven Local Health District Former position on the ISLHD Board for 10 years taking on roles such as Chair of Finance and Workforce Performance and Aboriginal Health Board position with the Illawarra Academy of Sport As a Dharawal and Yuin custodian he is recognised for his strong understanding of Aboriginal culture and has held many community leadership roles including a current position on the NSW Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Advisory Committee for NSW
Dr Robyn Shields AM MBBS, MPH Deputy Mental Health Commissioner for NSW Member NSW Government’s seclusion, restraint and coercive practices review committee Awarded a Centenary Medal - 2012 Awarded the member of the Order of Australia (AM) in recognition of her services to Aboriginal Mental Health - 2004 Former Member of NSW Mental Health Review Tribunal Awarded in 2015 – Recognised by Westpac – 100 Women of Influence Instrumental in setting up mainstream Aboriginal Mental Health Services; Development of specific Policies, both State and National in the past.
Dr Kath McFarlane Adjunct Associate Professor at the School of Population Health at the University of New South Wales Former Chief of Staff across a range of portfolios in the NSW Government Former Executive Officer of the NSW Sentencing Council and the NSW Children’s Court PhD on ‘Care-criminalisation: the involvement of children in OOHC in the criminal justice system’ Director of Kath McFarlane Consulting, she provides independent research, policy and program services to government and community organisations, particularly in the areas of Out-Of-Home Care, criminal justice, social justice and welfare outcomes.
David McGrath Qualifications BSc (Psych), MBA, JD Social policy consultant Chief Executive of Ramsay Psychology National Director, Mental Health Strategy for Ramsay Health care Board Member Odyssey House NSW Board Director Black Dog Institute. Long-term advisor to the World Health Organisation Former Chief Operating Officer for the Department of Premier and Cabinet’s Special Commission of Inquiry into Crystal Methamphetamine and Other Amphetamine Type Stimulants Former Director of Mental Health for NSW Health
Dr Annette Bemand MB,BS; FRACGP; DipRANZGOG Sydney Child Health Program Education Undergraduate Medicine and GP fellowship, Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Senior GP with Tharawal Aboriginal Corporation with supervising registrars and medical students Annette has also worked for Justice Health NSW as a GP for almost a decade and won GP Supervisor of the Year (GP Synergy 2022)
Marisa Mastroianni  Com, M. Com, GAICD, FCPA, AFMIL, Harvard (AMP191) Managing Director and Group Chief Executive Officer of UOW Global Enterprises Subsidiary of the University of Wollongong Board Member NRMA Ltd. Chair of NRMA’s Audit & Risk Management Committee Member of the Venues NSW Illawarra Regional Advisory Committee Former Director of the Illawarra Shoalhaven Health District Board and Chair of its Audit and Risk Committee