Our Leadership Team You are here:HomeAbout UsOur Leadership Team Anna McFadgen Chief Executive Officer As CEO, St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney, Anna is accountable for the overall leadership and management of St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney which comprises St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, Sacred Heart Health Service and St Vincent's Correctional Health Service at Parklea Correctional Centre . The CEO leads St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney to deliver on its mission objectives by ensuring high quality, efficient and mission-based execution of day-to-day health service delivery, combined with a robust focus on continuous, balanced improvement. The CEO strengthens the organisation’s values, its commitment to the principles of Catholic Social Teaching and adherence to the Catholic Health Australia Code of Ethical Standards for Catholic Health and Aged Care Services in Australia through direct role modelling and major leadership decisions relating to strategy, policy, operational improvement and performance management. Mr Chris Ball Executive Director of Quality, Performance & Improvement As Executive Director of Quality, Performance and Improvement, Chris is accountable for driving the delivery of quality, safety and service excellence across St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney. This encompasses the development and implementation of quality initiatives and data-driven improvement approaches that improve patient outcomes, patient experience, staff experience and operational efficiency. Chris brings a unique blend of both clinical and improvement expertise, with a proven track record in driving quality, safety, and service excellence within the healthcare industry. With an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement, working at both local and state levels on priority projects that have changed the way healthcare is delivered. A/Prof Philip Cunningham OAM Deputy Executive Director of Research & Chief Operating Officer St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research Associate Professor Philip Cunningham is Deputy Director of Research at St Vincent’s Health Network and Chief Operating Officer for the St Vincent’s Centre for Applied Medical Research. The Centre for Applied Medical Research is the peak medical research enterprise for St Vincent’s Hospital Darlinghurst campus and provides world class research support and infrastructure. He is the Chief Scientist at the NSW State Reference Laboratory for HIV at St Vincent’s which plays a significant role in the diagnosis and management for people living with HIV and informing the Australian Government’s public health response. He has worked extensively throughout the Asia Pacific region strengthening clinical laboratory capacity and quality management systems as a technical advisor to Kirby Institute UNSW, WHO and the US CDC. His research interests include public health surveillance of target priority populations at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, improving the demand for diagnostic testing. Philip was Vice President and Office holder Board of Directors for the Australasian Society for HIV Medicine (ASHM) for more than 9 years. He holds a conjoint appointment at the Kirby Institute for Infection and Immunity in Society at UNSW and was awarded the Order of Australia for services to medical research and sexual health medicine in the 2020 Queens Birthday Honours List.. Ms Pauline Deweerd Executive Director of Aboriginal Health Pauline is a proud Yuin lady, born in Sydney and raised on the far South Coast of NSW. She began her career as a trainee drug and alcohol Nurse, before moving to Armidale to finish her education and commencing with NSW Health. She then joined the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR) working to improve employment and education outcomes for Aboriginal people. After 30 years of employment with DEEWR, she joined the Australian Parents Council, facilitating a national training program to achieve better learning outcomes for Aboriginal students. As Executive Director of Aboriginal Health at St Vincent’s, Pauline holds an MBA in Management, and oversees the strategic direction of Aboriginal Health across all of the NSW facilities. She also supports in-patients and their families, believing that listening directly to the needs of Aboriginal people is the best way to learn how the healthcare system can better serve them. Mr David Faktor Executive Director of Public Affairs, Media & Communications David is the key spokesperson for St Vincent’s facilities across NSW. He is regarded as a leading public affairs & communications specialist within the healthcare and biomedical research sectors and holds leadership roles in relation to communicating organisational cultural change as well as public health advocacy. David’s primary role over the past two decades has been in both internal and external stakeholder engagement - promoting key organisational strategic objectives while overseeing risk-mitigation strategies. He has orchestrated several TV series based at St Vincent’s including Nurses for Network Seven, Kings Cross ER for Nine & Foxtel, Hospital in the Deep for SBS, and Miracle Hospital for National Geographic. Prior to working at St Vincent’s, David was the Manager of Public Affairs at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne from 1998-2001. He also served on the Board of Management of WAYS Youth Services from 2011-2016, as a Board Director of Emanuel School from 2018-2019 and as a Board Director of Stretch a Family from 2021-2023. Ms Katelyn Forster Head of Strategy and Planning Katelyn is the Head of Strategy and Planning at St Vincent’s Health Network in Sydney and forms part of the newly formed St Vincent’s Health Australia National Strategy and Planning team. Katelyn is involved in guiding, embedding and actioning strategic decisions and initiatives across the organisation in line with the organisations mission, vision and Strategy to 2030. With expertise in clinical service and capital planning in public health, aged care and community services, Katelyn is passionate about driving change in the health and aged care sector for a more sustainable and equitable future. Ms Ruth Hood Executive Director of Legal and Risk Ruth began her career as a nurse and then trained as a midwife, working as a clinician for many years before taking on various roles focussing on Infection Control and Communicable Diseases within the Queensland public health system. Ruth gained another degree, this time in Law, from where she has pursued a new career path. Ruth subsequently spent 16 years as a lawyer in large law firms and in-house giving her a strong foundation and broad range of legal skills. Joining St Vincent’s in 2016, Ruth advises on all legal aspects of health care service delivery for St Vincent’s Health Network, and is committed to the optimisation of legal operations for the organisation, protecting both our staff and patients alike. Mr Matthew Kearney Executive Director of Mission and Inclusive Health Matt holds Master’s degrees in Theology, Counselling, and is currently completing an MBA. After volunteering with a homelessness service as a young person, Matt developed a passion for social justice, which lead him to work in leadership roles in Catholic education and healthcare organisations focused on serving the most vulnerable people in society. Matt draws great energy from the commitment of St Vincent’s to serve the local community. He is also involved in research investigating effective models for spiritual care in the diverse Australian context. As Director of Mission and Inclusive Health Matt is responsible for the overall management and executive leadership of mission, social justice and inclusive health across St Vincent's Health Network Sydney in accordance with the Mission, Vision and Values of St Vincent's Health Australia, inspired by the healing ministry of Jesus and the tradition of Mary Aikenhead. The Director also has oversight of chaplaincy, pastoral & spiritual care, pastoral education, mission integration, staff mission formation and volunteer services across the network. Ms Margaret Lazar Executive Director of Allied Health As Executive Director of Allied Health, Margaret is responsible for the planning and development needs of the St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney Allied Health service for the fiscal, organisational, physical and human resource. The Director of Allied Health works in conjunction with key medical, nursing and support staff to provide operational and strategic direction. Margaret holds a Bachelors of Social Work from University of NSW, a Masters of Social Work from Rutgers University in New Jersey and a Masters in Health Administration from St. Joseph’s University, in Philadelphia. She has had a career in major medical centres in the USA, focusing on operations and management in mental health, oncology and transplant. Upon returning to Australia in 2012 she established an integrated centre at a cancer hospital and has been at St Vincent’s as Executive Director of Allied Health since 2014. Ms Shanthini Naidoo CEO, St Vincent’s Curran Foundation Shanthini is the CEO of the St Vincent’s Curran Foundation which is the fundraising organisation for St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney and St Vincent’s Private Hospitals in Sydney and Griffith. Shanthini is responsible for leading the fundraising efforts of the Foundation to support the vision and mission of St Vincent’s Hospitals to deliver excellent and innovative patient care, lead clinical research and support workforce education initiatives. The St Vincent’s Curran Foundation raises more than $40 million a year through donations and corporate support to enable St Vincent’s to undertake initiatives which are not government funded but ensure better outcomes for St Vincent’s patients. Shanthini is also the Company Secretary of the St Vincent’s Curran Trustee Ltd which acts as Trustee of the JW & M Cunningham Foundation. Each year the Cunningham Foundation distributes more than $5m in grants supporting St Vincent’s Hospitals in NSW. Shanthini has more than 15 years leadership, marketing and fundraising experience gained in iconic Australian institutions. Her previous roles include Assistant Director of the National Gallery of Australia, Head of Fundraising at Taronga & Western Plains Zoos, and Director of Development and Marketing at the Sydney Opera House. Shanthini has a Masters of Management (ANU) and Bachelor of Business Communications (QUT). Shanthini is currently also a Board Director of the Fundraising Institute of Australia, FIA Code Authority and Sydney Swans Foundation. Mr Barry Mitrevski Chief Financial Officer Barry brings strong governance and rigour to St Vincent’s Hospital financial, strategy and operational management. Barry’s tertiary education was completed at the University of Wollongong and he holds a Master in Business Administration. He is also a qualified CPA. Barry has more than 40 years’ experience in finance oversight including 35 years with NSW Health, predominantly with Illawarra Shoalhaven LHD and Western Sydney LHD. He has worked with all levels of NSW Health and understanding the ‘needs of the business’ is the basis of his strategic and operational approach. Barry is driven to ensure St Vincent’s Hospital is financially sustainable to deliver the best available healthcare to the people of Sydney. Ms Linda Patat Chief Operating Officer As the Chief Operating Officer, Linda has the overarching responsibility and commitment to lead and deliver the SVHNS business plan and operating model. Focused on clinical and corporate services across the network’s broad portfolio, Linda works collectively with teams across the organisation to deliver operational excellence and compassionate care which elevates performance improvement to meet strategic goals and community need. This includes the quaternary and tertiary Surgical, Cancer, Inner City Health, Heart Lung, Subacute and Medical Clinical Streams, along with the Nursing, Capital, Assets, Sustainability, Health Information, Data and Support Services portfolios. Linda is an accomplished health and human services C-suite executive, registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as a Registered Nurse, holds a Masters of Business Administration (specialising in Innovation and Leadership), is an Associate Fellow of the Australasian College of Health Service Management, is credentialed as a Certified Health Manager, and is undergoing a Juris Doctor qualification. Linda is passionate about elevating the human experience in care and cultures, and serving those who positively impact social justice and social change. Mr Rio Pun Acting Executive Director of People and Culture As Director of People and Culture, Rio is accountable for overall leadership and management of the human resources and work health and safety function across St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney. The Executive Director of People and Culture provides service to the operational streams and realise opportunities for consistency, efficiency, automation and back-up support for our workforce. He assists managers in conducting all operations relating to human resources and industrial relation functions including the provision of advice and support on performance management, support and intervention in disciplinary matters, advice about succession management and retention and industrial relations grievance resolution. A/Prof Paul Preisz Chief Medical Officer As Chief Medical Officer, Paul works collaboratively with key stakeholders across St Vincent’s Health Network Sydney and more broadly across the St Vincent’s Health Innovation Precinct, to strengthen medical leadership and engagement, enhance the interrelationship between medical practice and research, and support the change agenda for the organisation aligned with the newly launched St Vincent’s Health Australia Strategy 2030. Paul has served as the Director of Emergency Medicine at St Vincent’s for the last five years and as a staff specialist for the previous thirty years. He has also recently served as the Acting Director of the Medical Stream. He has extensive experience in leadership and innovation in health care as well as strong academic and medical teaching connections, at both the University of Notre Dame, and the University of NSW. Dr Rajdeep Ubeja Director Medical Services and Chief Medical Information Officer. As Director Medical Services and Chief Medical Information Officer, Raj is responsible for professional management and oversight of all medical staff within SVHNS. Within this role he is responsible for executive oversight of the Medical Workforce Unit and Sydpath. Raj holds Fellowships with the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA) and the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He holds a Master of Health Policy and has special interests in digital health and virtual care, clinical governance, and comparative health systems analysis.