A decision to change careers led Dr Julian Luna and Dr Jennifer Luna to find love in medicine and together. While medicine interested the husband-wife doctor duo, it wasn’t their first career choice. Jennifer started out as a sonographer and Julian a firefighter. Soon they would discover the medical limitations in their roles would be… [Read More]

Mackay’s Public Health Unit has been recognised for their outstanding response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The team received the Pandemic Response Award in the Mackay Hospital and Health Service’s annual staff reward and recognition event. Chief Executive Jo Whitehead said Director Brigid Fenech and her team had worked tirelessly providing specialist advice and investigations to… [Read More]

Growing up as an Australian South Sea Islander woman in Mackay, Sharelle Johnson never dreamed she would become a nurse but always wanted to help people. After 40 years as an Enrolled Nurse (EN), Sharelle is finally hanging up her hat and retiring from her job at Mackay Base Hospital.  “In those days after school… [Read More]

It is with great sadness we received the news that Chair of the Mackay Hospital and Health Board Tim Mulherin passed away this morning. He continued his duties as the Board Chair until the end, providing leadership and strategic direction for our health service. Providing Mackay with a first-class hospital and health care was Tim’s… [Read More]

Sandiford resident Colin Johnson has been through a gruelling 12 months following his cancer diagnosis in August 2019. Months of chemotherapy and radiation to successfully treat his head, neck and throat cancer impacted the 62-year-old’s voice and swallow function. “I’ve got this horrible gravelly voice but I’m still a good-looking rooster,” Colin said. “All jokes… [Read More]