New CEO has a wealth of experience in healthcare

The new Chief Executive Officer at Central Gippsland Health (CGH), Michele Gardner, brings a wealth of experience with more than 34 years of service across both public and private healthcare and justice settings.

Ms Gardner is a Registered Nurse and has extensive experience with the successful implementation of the National Safety and Quality Health Service (NSQHS) Standards, accreditation and quality improvement in acute and community settings.  She also holds a Master of Public Administration and a Graduate Diploma in Health Counselling.

In her more recent role, Ms Gardner was the General Manager and Director of Nursing at Peninsula Private Hospital in Brisbane, where she used her health experience in leading the hospital’s extensive brownfield infrastructure redevelopment incorporating a new operating theatre complex and establishment of a high dependency unit and successful operational commissioning.

Previously, she served as Executive Director of The Prince Charles Hospital, Metro North Hospital and Health Service Brisbane, where she held the overall strategic and operational responsibility for this major tertiary level health service and referral centre for Queensland, specialising in Cardiothoracic, Respiratory, Mental Health, Geriatric Medicine, Orthopaedics, Aged Care and outreach specialist services throughout regional and metropolitan Queensland. 

Her background includes extensive experience in strategic and service planning, quality and safety, risk management, clinical and corporate governance.

Ms Gardner and her family are delighted to have returned to the beautiful Gippsland region to live and work.

She recognises the privilege and responsibility of leading Central Gippsland Health and is looking forward to supporting the Central Gippsland Health workforce to continue to deliver great health care and meet the future health needs of the community.

Ms Gardner is excited about the future for CGH and the opportunity to work with its team, partners, the Boards of CGH, Stretton Park and Heyfield Hospital, the Gippsland Local Health Service Network, emergency services, consumers and the local community, to deliver safe, high-quality, accessible and equitable healthcare to the community.

CGH Board Chair, Arthur Skipitaris, said Ms Gardner also brought valuable regional health leadership experience, having undertaken Acting CEO roles at Bairnsdale Regional Health Service and Mallacoota District Health and Executive Director roles in Central Queensland Hospital and Health Service and Wide Bay Hospital and Health service both large and diverse public regional and rural Queensland health services.

“Having spent many years working in Queensland, she also has a strong understanding of Local Health Service Networks and the importance of collaboration across services,” Mr Skipitaris said.

“This experience will support the continued development and strengthening of Gippsland’s Local Health Service Network.

“Importantly for our regional context, Ms Gardner has led emergency management responses to bushfires, floods, cyclones and the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Mr Skipitaris thanked Mandy Pusmucans for undertaking the Interim Chief Executive Officer role. “Since September 2025, Mandy has performed this role with professionalism and dedication, ensuring the smooth and effective operation of CGH,” he said.