Cape and Torres Health Commissioning Limited (CaTHC) has appointed Abbe Anderson as its inaugural Chief Executive Officer, marking a milestone in community-driven health reform across Cape York, the Torres Strait Islands and the Northern Peninsula Area.
CaTHC’s Board Chair Aileen Addo announced the appointment of Ms Anderson following an extensive global search led by Black Wattle Professional Services, an Indigenous-owned recruitment firm, in partnership with specialist agency Davidson.
Ms Addo expressed the Board’s enthusiasm, stating that the CaTHC community looks forward to advancing self-determination and impact under Ms Anderson’s leadership.
“Abbe brings great skills, energy and deep experience in commissioning services for marginalised communities making her an ideal fit to bring Indigenous-led, community-controlled healthcare to the forefront,” said Ms Addo.
With over 30 years of leadership in health reform, including as CEO of Brisbane North Primary Health Network and National Director of Commissioning at Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, Ms Anderson will bring a wealth of expertise to CaTHC’s pioneering community-controlled, population-wide commissioning model.
Reflecting on her new role, Ms Anderson said, “CaTHC’s commitment to a commissioning model that is ‘by the community, for the community’ is inspiring. We have an extraordinary opportunity to build on 60,000 years of Indigenous knowledge in health and wellbeing and to measure success based on what truly matters to communities across the region.”
Sector leaders have welcomed Ms Anderson’s appointment. QAIHC Chair Matthew Cooke affirmed his support for CaTHC’s transition to Indigenous-led commissioning, stating it would lay the groundwork for transformative reform.
“By enabling healthcare services to respond directly to community needs, we’re building a framework for broader change,” Mr Cooke said.
“Abbe’s experience, combined with the cultural authority and leadership of the CaTHC Board, will set the stage for many more Indigenous-led commissioning models that will uniquely serve the needs and priorities of our communities.”
Ms Addo, who also acknowledged the other candidates who applied for the role, emphasised that Ms Anderson’s immediate priorities include building capacity within communities to ensure enduring community leadership of CaTHC’s activities.
“Abbe’s vision aligns with the Board’s belief that a key part of our role is to amplify local voices and serve the needs of our many and varied communities,” Ms Addo said.
“The first CaTHC Board meeting with Abbe in the CEO role was held this week, and we progressed important business including agreeing an extensive community engagement schedule and budget to enable strong leadership from local communities. Local community leadership is very firmly at the heart of CaTHC’s operating model.”
Ms Addo expressed the Board’s enthusiasm, stating that the CaTHC community looks forward to advancing self-determination and impact under Ms Anderson’s leadership.
“Abbe brings great skills, energy and deep experience in commissioning services for marginalised communities making her an ideal fit to bring Indigenous-led, community-controlled healthcare to the forefront,” said Ms Addo.
With over 30 years of leadership in health reform, including as CEO of Brisbane North Primary Health Network and National Director of Commissioning at Te Whatu Ora | Health New Zealand, Ms Anderson will bring a wealth of expertise to CaTHC’s pioneering community-controlled, population-wide commissioning model.
Reflecting on her new role, Ms Anderson said, “CaTHC’s commitment to a commissioning model that is ‘by the community, for the community’ is inspiring. We have an extraordinary opportunity to build on 60,000 years of Indigenous knowledge in health and wellbeing and to measure success based on what truly matters to communities across the region.”
Sector leaders have welcomed Ms Anderson’s appointment. QAIHC Chair Matthew Cooke affirmed his support for CaTHC’s transition to Indigenous-led commissioning, stating it would lay the groundwork for transformative reform.
“By enabling healthcare services to respond directly to community needs, we’re building a framework for broader change,” Mr Cooke said.
“Abbe’s experience, combined with the cultural authority and leadership of the CaTHC Board, will set the stage for many more Indigenous-led commissioning models that will uniquely serve the needs and priorities of our communities.”
Ms Addo, who also acknowledged the other candidates who applied for the role, emphasised that Ms Anderson’s immediate priorities include building capacity within communities to ensure enduring community leadership of CaTHC’s activities.
“Abbe’s vision aligns with the Board’s belief that a key part of our role is to amplify local voices and serve the needs of our many and varied communities,” Ms Addo said.
“The first CaTHC Board meeting with Abbe in the CEO role was held this week, and we progressed important business including agreeing an extensive community engagement schedule and budget to enable strong leadership from local communities. Local community leadership is very firmly at the heart of CaTHC’s operating model.”
For media enquires
Email [email protected].
Ms Addo and Ms Anderson are available for interview.
To coordinate interviews or for more information contact Jessica on [email protected].
Mr Cooke is also available for interview by contacting Samantha Townsend 0417 080 203 or [email protected].
Ms Addo and Ms Anderson are available for interview.
To coordinate interviews or for more information contact Jessica on [email protected].
Mr Cooke is also available for interview by contacting Samantha Townsend 0417 080 203 or [email protected].
