Dr John Aitken
Board Chair
John has lived in Warracknabeal since 1987, for the last 30 years John has owned and worked in community pharmacies in Warracknabeal, Horsham, Birchip, and Dimboola. He has a deep understanding of the challenges that rural people face in managing their health care; and the important role that the local health service plays in maintaining community sustainability, and health and wellbeing.
In 2018 John graduated with a PhD from La Trobe Rural Health School for his research project on community engagement strategies entitled: Sharing knowledge: community participation strategies for improving rural health. This project provided an insight into the impact of social determinants on rural health outcomes, and the importance of engaging with all community stakeholders developing co-produced strategies to address rural health issues.
John is proud to be on the Board of Rural Northwest Health, with its award-winning reputation as a small rural health service.
Veena Mishra
Veena is a graduate of the AICD and co-founder of a health promotion company. Veena has extensive experience within health, disability and primary healthcare. A Science graduate with an MBA, Veena has led e-health and LEAN healthcare projects. She is passionate about health equity and the opportunities that the NDIS can provide to residents of rural northwest Victoria.
Veena is Chair of an early childhood intervention service and has completed a values based leadership program with the Sisters of Mercy. She mentors women in management roles and provides strategic advice to business startups.
La Vergne Lehmann
Deputy Board Chair, Chair Governance Committee, Chair of Finance, Audit & Compliance Committee
La Vergne is a committed professional in regional waste, sustainability and economic development sector. She has worked across the waste, natural resource management, Indigenous cultural heritage, water, biodiversity, local government and sustainable farming sectors in the last 20 years. La Vergne is passionate about the work she does and making a difference to the regional communities that she lives and works with.
Chris Downes
Chris was born in Warracknabeal and raised on the family farm at Areegra completing his primary and secondary schooling locally before departing for university. A science graduate with an MBA, Chris has worked in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector for almost 20 years across a number of increasingly senior commercial roles in Australia and the UK. Passionate about improving health outcomes for rural communities through the delivery of quality and accessible healthcare, Chris is proud to be on the board of Rural Northwest Health.
Namita Warrior
Namita has worked in the hospital sector for over 17 years, ranging from metropolitan Melbourne to Far North Queensland. A hospital Pharmacist, with a Masters of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, Namita is passionate about healthcare quality and safety, and centering it around the patient experience. Namita is proud to be serving on the board of Rural Northwest Health and is committed to working alongside the CEO and Executive Team in providing the best care to the local community
Katherine Burton
Katherine was appointed CEO of Abound Communities in Dec 2023, following five years as a Senior Executive with Mercy Health, and previous senior leadership positions at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and Austin Health in operational, quality and safety and clinical roles.
Katherine holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Medical Radiations, beginning her career as a Nuclear Medicine Technologist working in clinical, educational, and quality roles in public and specialist health services.
After completing a second qualification in Business Administration Katherine worked in operational and quality roles in not-for-profit health and aged care organisations.
Katherine is excited to serve on both the Rural Northwest Health board and BreastScreen Victoria’s Board Quality Committee.
She has a passion for building inclusive services and believes strong consumer engagement is critical for improving outcomes for all consumers.
Janet Fisher
A familiar face around the Wimmera, Jan trained as a registered nurse at St John of God Ballarat before working as a nurse, and later the Director of Nursing, at Rainbow Bush Nursing Hospital.
Accepting the role of Executive Director of Aged Care at West Wimmera Health Service, Jan would go on to become the Executive Director of Clinical Services at the Nhill campus, a role which saw her travelling back and forth along the highway for over 20 years.
With a passion for aged care, Jan believes good care is something small communities should be able to rely on. Having strong connections to the Rainbow and Yaapeet districts to this day, Jan is excited to be part of the RNH Board.
