Meet our key staff

The names, titles and photographs of Bendigo's Hospital Management Committee and key personnel are featured below.

                                       

Michael Hogan
Chief Executive Officer

Michael was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Mount Alvernia Mercy Hospital in February 2003, and continued in the role when St John of God Health Care acquired the hospital in 2005. Michael is also responsible for the executive oversight of St John of God Hospital, Warrnambool.
Following a career in accounting and finance, Michael began his health care career in 1994 with the Ramsay Health Care Group in Brisbane and then Sydney, before becoming General Manager at Albury Wodonga Private Hospital in 1999.
He has extensive management experience associated with change of ownership, major systems implementation, major service developments and major building projects.
Michael has a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Melbourne and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Health Services Management from Charles Sturt University. He was admitted to the Institute of Chartered Accountants in 1981 and to the Australian Institute of Company Directors in 2007.

 

Karen Laing
Director of Nursing

Karen was appointed as Director of Nursing in May 2005. She has held senior management roles in both the public and private health sector and has a strong clinical background in Critical Care nursing from the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Karen's qualifications include a Masters in Health Administration (UNSW), Graduate Diploma - Australian Institute of Company Directors, Bachelor of Applied Science - Nursing (ACU) and Critical Care Nursing Certificate (RMH). She is currently undertaking a Masters in Health & Medical Law at Melbourne University.

 

Peter Trendos
Finance Manager

Peter Trendos was appointed Finance Manager in January 2003. From 2001 to 2003 he was an accountant at Mercy Health and Aged Care, providing financial and accounting support to Werribee Mercy Hospital and the Bethlehem Home for the Aged in Bendigo. Peter started his financial career in 1997 as a Management Accounting tutor at La Trobe University, Melbourne, moving to the Victorian Government Department of Treasury and Finance from 1998 to 2001. A Certified Practicing Accountant, Peter has a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from La Trobe University and an Association Diploma of Business (Accounting) from Northern Melbourne Institute of TAFE.

    

Michael Giles
Director Support Services

Michael was appointed Director of Support Services in July 2005.
Support Services covers all non clinical departments such as Engineering, Environmental and Catering and covers the hospital’s overall infrastructure in relation to buildings and redevelopment.
Prior to his current role, Michael held the position of Compliance Engineer at Bendigo Health and has spent the last 16 years in engineering positions across Australia and Europe in both the health care and Industrial sectors.
Michael’s formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Engineering and a Post - Graduate Diploma in Biomedical Engineering. He is member of the Institute of Hospital Engineers of Australia and the Australian Institute of Management.

Denis Byrne
Director of Mission

Denis Byrne started in April 2011. He was previously Manager of Community Services at Centacare, Sandhurst, in Bendigo. Denis was with Centacare for more than four years following a six year stint at St Luke’s Anglicare in various program manager roles. A committed Catholic with strong links to our Diocese, Denis combines these attributes with his employment experience and graduate qualifications in Social Work and Public Health. A keen interest and understanding of organisational culture and connections to the local social welfare environment will enable Denis to make a significant contribution to our organisation on a number of levels.

 

Garry Dewhirst
Human Resources Manager

Garry Dewhirst was appointed Human Resources Manager in February 2004. Prior to this, he worked extensively in the telecommunications industry undertaking a variety of functions in the human resource and personnel administration areas. He also has a background in occupational health and safety and work deployment.

 

Dr Gary Russell
Director Medical Services

Dr Gary Russell was appointed to this role in February 2008. He has a long-standing association with the hospital in his role as General and Respiratory Physician, and has served on the hospital's Medical Advisory Committee for a number of years.
The Director Medical Services role provides clinical leadership for the hospital's medical staff (including active participation in the credentialing and medical appointments processes) and facilitates the co-ordination of services between medicine and other clinical disciplines. Dr Russell has a keen interest in improving the quality and safety of healthcare service delivery.