We welcome the Victorian Minister for Health’s announcement of the inaugural board and board chair for Bayside Health.
Starting on 1 January 2026, Bayside Health will bring together Alfred Health, Bass Coast Health, Gippsland Southern Health Service, Kooweerup Regional Health Service and Peninsula Health into one unified service.
Its aim is to improve health outcome, increase access to care and provide a more connected healthcare experience. The new board includes directors from the five merging health services and brings a broad skill set across governance, health, community and finance. Importantly, it includes strong regional and First Nations representation.
The Hon Martin Foley, currently Alfred Health’s Board Chair, has been appointed as chair of the new board, bringing his extensive experience in the health sector to the role.
While responsible for overseeing the strategic direction, accountability and governance of the new health service, the first task for the designate board is to appoint Bayside Health’s Chief Executive.
The new Bayside Health Board includes:
- The Hon Martin Foley, Board Chair, Alfred Health
- Ms Karen Corry, Board Chair, Peninsula Health
- Ms Athina Georgiou, Board Chair, Gippsland Southern Health Service
- Mr Peter Joyce, Director, Peninsula Health
- Ms Kirsten Mander, Director, Peninsula Health
- Ms Linda McCrorey, Deputy Chair, Gippsland Southern Health Service
- Prof Christina Mitchell AO, Dean, Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Science, Monash University and Director, Alfred Health
- Mr Kushal Shah, Board Chair, Kooweerup Regional Health Service
- Ms Chloe Shorten, Deputy Chair, Alfred Health
- Ms Karinda Taylor, Chief Executive Officer, First Peoples’ Health and Wellbeing
- Mr Ian Thompson, Board Chair, Bass Coast Health
Our gratitude goes to all board members from the five merging health services. Their dedication to improving the health and wellbeing of their communities, has led to the creation of Bayside Health which will care for more than 1.2 million Victorians.
Quote from Karen Corry, Board Chair, Peninsula Health:
“It is a privilege to be selected to be a part of this highly skilled and experienced board which will guide Bayside Health from 1 January 2026. By appointing directors from across the five existing services, we will ensure local voices remain central to every decision we make. Close engagement with our staff, communities, consumers and First Nations leaders will help grow the connected, compassionate care we deliver for everyone across the expanded Bayside Health region. I would like to acknowledge and thank the current Board Directors at Peninsula Health for their commitment, expertise and leadership, in steering us to the commencement of Bayside Health.”
Quote from Associate Professor Helen Cooper, Chief Executive, Peninsula Health:
“The appointment of this experienced board for Bayside Health marks the next step in creating a unified, innovative health service delivering seamless, high-quality care for 1.2 million Victorians. The representation of directors from across the five existing health services ensures strong local leadership at every level, supported by a new Community Advisory Committee, First Nations leaders, local advisory groups and our dedicated staff.”
