Board of Directors 2024 - 25
The AMA Queensland Board of Directors sets and monitors the strategic direction and policies of the company and delegates the administration and operation of the affairs of the company to the CEO.
AMA Queensland Directors carry out their duties and their responsibilities under the Corporations Act, the company’s constitution and by-laws.
There are also four groups that report to the Board including the Council, Governance Committee, Finance Risk and Audit Committee and the Nominations Committee.
BPharm MBBS FRACGP
General Practitioner
Dr Yim works as a General Practitioner in Hervey Bay. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners after achieving his MBBS from Griffith University, Gold Coast. He is a passionate medical educator and hosts registrars and medical students in his practice. He continues on from his role as Vice President and Chair of AMA Queensland Council (2022-2024). As a previous pharmacist, he acknowledges the importance of multidisciplinary and collaborative care to ensure patient care.
"It is a privilege being the President of AMA Queensland. Our membership is broad and we represent all doctors from medical students, doctors in training, GPs, public and private specialists. As a profession we need to see long-term planning and not band aid solutions. We must always continue to support and promote the importance of collaborative evidence-based practice. By working together, sharing knowledge and leveraging each other's strengths, we can achieve the common goal, which is optimising the health of Queenslanders.”
MD FACS FRACS
General, Breast and Oncologic Surgeon
Member, IMG Council Representative 2021-2024. Chair, AMA Queensland IMG Working Group 2022-2024. Member, AMA Federal Committee of Public Hospital Doctors 2022-2023. Member, AMA Federal IMG Working Group 2024. Chair, AMA Queensland Surgery Elective Waitlist RoundTable 2024.
Experience: Director of General Surgery, Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Hospital, Brisbane. Visiting Breast Surgeon, St Stephens Private Hospital, Hervey Bay. Member, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), Secretary, RACS Queensland State Committee 2022-2024. RACS Representative, Surgery Connect Advisory Committee 2022-2024. Member, American College of Surgeons (ACS). Fellow, Society of Surgical Oncology. Member, Breast SurgANZ. Member, Queensland Health Medical Workforce Wellbeing Reference Group. Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland. Director, Restore More. Chief of Surgery, Wilcox Hospital and Kauai Veterans Memorial Hospital, Hawaii 2006-2012. Chief of Breast Surgery and Director of Breast Cancer Services, Baylor, Scott, and White Healthcare System 2012-2014. Assoc Professor Surgery, Texas A&M College of Medicine 2012-2014. Specialist general, oncologic and breast surgeon with 15 years’ experience working in the United States and 10 years in Australia, at Queensland Health and private practice.
Dr Dauway is passionate about health equity and physician wellbeing. She has diverse working experiences which she uses to implement initiatives that drive healthcare improvement for access of quality care. As a lifelong learner, she believes in providing the most modern approaches to health care delivery especially to the most vulnerable members of society, regardless of geographic location. As a physician advocate, she is active in promoting physician wellbeing to uplift our medical workforce. As an IMG, she strives to remove barriers and support IMGs for professional success in providing safe, quality healthcare for every Queenslander and community.
MBBS FRACGP MMed (GP) FAICD
GP
Dr Eleanor Chew is a GP specialist with extensive experience representing the role of primary care in the health services profession. A graduate of the University of Queensland, Dr Chew has over 35 years’ experience as a GP, working in a variety of practice settings across Australia.
“As a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, I have a clear understanding of my responsibilities as director and chair, and will work to ensure that the AMA Queensland Board exercises its responsibilities and fiduciary duty to support the association in serving its members. In my various roles representing the profession, I have gained valuable insights into the many challenges facing the medical profession, providing a sound basis for me to support Council to formulate policy and provide direction for the advancement of critical issues affecting Queensland doctors.”
MBBS FRACS FAOA
Orthopaedic Surgery
Dr Coll graduated from the University of Western Australia in 1994. She spent her intern year in Perth before moving permanently to Queensland. She trained in Orthopaedic Surgery in Cairns and throughout Brisbane until moving back to Cairns in 2005. She is a Visiting Medical Officer at Cairns Private Hospital. She has been an enthusiastic Board Member for four years and has thoroughly enjoyed her five years on Council, addressing policy and shaping the direction of the organisation.
“I am keen to represent regional doctors, and those who work too hard to represent themselves. I would like to see doctors advocate for their own quality of life and set an example of healthy living. I am interested in the role doctors have to play in advocating for change in nutrition and activity practices across their communities."
BPharm MBBS
Emergency Physician
Dr Erica Gannon is a senior medical officer and staff specialist emergency physician. Professionally she has been in clinical practice for 17 years in Australia and overseas and currently practices at the Caboolture Hospital and St Andrews War Memorial Hospital. A former pharmacist, she began her medical studies in 2000 at the University of Sydney and completed her fellowship with The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine in 2012. She is highly motivated to continue to make significant contributions to Council through advocacy and policy development/changes for the benefit of our profession, working environments and wellbeing.
“I believe that the AMA is a powerful and important body. Championing leadership and advocacy for members, patients and the community in general is of paramount importance. Representing members on Council has provided me a platform to not only benefit others, but also allow me that opportunity to help maintain and uphold the traditions and integrity of the medical profession in which we work."
FRANZCP FRACGP-RG FARGP MPH MBBS BSc/BEd
Psychiatrist and GP Rural Generalist
Dr Benjamin Wakefield currently works in psychiatric private practice in North Brisbane as well holding a position as a Senior Medical Officer (GP) at Esk Hospital. He has worked in a number of roles throughout his 10 years as a clinician in both private and public practice and is also currently a medical officer in the Army reserve. Dr Wakefield has previously held a number of positions within the AMA Queensland including recently the interim Chair of the Committee of General Practice and has been on the AMA Queensland Council since 2021.
"I believe AMA Queensland is an important mouthpiece not only for doctors, but for our patients as well. My goal on the AMA Queensland Council is to represent the doctors of Greater Brisbane by advocating for safe and sustainable working conditions which in turn will improve patient outcomes."
MBA B Comm LLB GAICD SF Fin CA CCBI GSFB GradDipAppFin
Craig Allen is an experienced director and senior executive. Over 25 years he has managed several international public, private and ASX150 businesses across professional services, resources, energy and industrial markets. He has successfully led and implemented complex finance, corporate growth, people, project management, risk, marketing and change-management initiatives.
Mr Allen currently leads two sustainability-focused businesses: infini, an innovative lifestyle carbon footprint platform empowering individuals to rethink their carbon footprint; and Xseed Solutions, providing leading decarbonisation solutions to green hydrogen markets across Australia. In addition, he has advisory board experience with several retail and technology organisations advising on capital markets, leadership and governance strategies.
“I am inspired by the tireless work of medical professionals globally in response to the unprecedented healthcare challenges of recent times. I am delighted to be representing doctors as part of the preeminent work AMA Queensland delivers to formulate policy enhancements and delivery practices to best serve the Queensland community.
I am passionate about incorporating better sustainability practices into our everyday lives as we all face the growing challenges ahead. I look forward to contributing to the AMA Queensland Board and management in delivering the best in governance, advocacy and positive outcomes for all members and the public.”
LLB LLM MBA LFAIM AICS GAICD
For 31 years Grant Dearlove has been a Lawyer, Company Director and Investor owning, leading, and growing companies at ‘C’ suite level combining both strategic business, investment and legal competencies.
Across his career Grant has owned, worked for, and consulted to professional service firms in disciplines spanning property, health, finance, franchising, risk, insurance, VET sector education, Tourism, M&A, funds management, outsourcing and legal.
Grant held positions as Executive Chairman on the Board of AF Legal Group Ltd (ASX:AFL), Managing Director Colliers International -Residential for Australia, Managing Director PRDnationwide, and Managing Director Verifact. He was National Partner, Head of Growth and Markets and executive member of Shine Corporate Limited (ASX:SHJ). Grant is Board Chair of Bennett+ Bennett Surveyors, Chair of Splatt Lawyers and AIL, and is a Non-Executive Director of Oliver Hume Corporation Entities, Accoras, PHN Gold Coast, leading stockbroker and wealth manager Forefront Financial Services Pty Ltd - Morgans Milton. Grant was Deputy Chair of Invest Logan Pty Ltd, Independent Director of Surf Life Saving Queensland, Drone company Ripper Corporation, Central Queensland PHN, Countrywide and Sunshine Co-operative Housing Societies, Sunshine Coast Destination Limited, Colliers International and related companies, and Equity Partner with McInnes Wilson Lawyers.
Grant has a Bachelor of Laws, Master of Laws, Master of Business Administration, a Graduate Diploma in Applied Corporate Governance and is a Graduate of the Institute of Company Directors Course. Grant is a Life Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management and studied leadership of professional service organisations at Harvard University.
Leadership team
DBA
Dr Brett Dale is the AMA Queensland CEO and has decades of experience working in health, education, advocacy, training and membership organisations.
Brett is a former Army medic with numerous postings including the Army School of Health in Victoria and deployments to Bougainville and Iraq.
During his time in Defence, he worked in all levels of health care - emergency, primary care and hospital level health facilities - and was able to build an understanding of the whole health ecosystem.
Brett held a clinical role in Bougainville and was part of a combined multinational health team supporting health services in the region after the crisis in the 1990s.
In Iraq, he was part of the mission to rebuild local defence capacity by setting up the Iraqi Support Service Institute.
This experience in the Defence sector built transferable skills for Brett that are relevant to the health fraternity.
In 2012, Brett was appointed CEO of Northern Territory General Practice Education, where he was responsible for GP training and GP registrar workforce distribution across the Top End.
In 2016, he returned to Brisbane to lead Queensland’s Motor Trades Association, where he ran one of the largest education and training providers in the state, the MTA Institute.
With a Doctorate in Change Management and Intrapreneurship, Brett is strongly focused on collaboration, communication and innovation to drive positive change and achieve results.
Brett leads AMA Queensland with high standards, a determined and daring spirit, and fearless preparedness to progress the state’s health agenda for the betterment of Queensland’s doctors and their patients.
As a CPA qualified accountant, Filomena has worked for not-for-profit/membership organisations for most of her working life, including over 20 years at AMA Queensland. Her current role includes management of the finance, administration, information technology and business support services.
Filomena enjoys the challenges and variety of her role. She is customer service focused, often juggles many hats, strives to always meet deadlines and has the ability to stay calm under pressure.
MBA BBus (Marketing)
Paul has worked in various management roles in not-for-profit and government agencies with over 25 years of experience in skilling and workforce development dealing with government contracts, corporate business policy and the development and implementation of training processes.
Paul previously worked at the Motor Trades Assocation of Queensland (MTAQ) and held various positions within the group, including the Director Industry Initiatives, General Manager of Training in MTA Institute and the General Manager of Innovation in MTAiQ, Australia’s first automotive innovation hub.
In addition to his MBA and Bachelor of Business, Paul also a Graduate Certificate in Business, Graduate Certificate in Veterans’ Law, Diploma of Market Research, Diploma of Export Management and a Cert IV in Training and Assessment.