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Management

Rural Health West works hard behind the scenes to ensure people living in country communities have good access to healthcare.

Rural Health West’s day to day activities are managed by a small team, each of whom have strong and extensive backgrounds in the local health sector.

Members of the Executive Management team are available to speak to media or groups on a range of matters including:

  • Strategic direction of Rural Health West
  • Rural and remote medical training pathways
  • Upskilling the rural health workforce
  • Innovative workforce models for rural health
  • Impact and effectiveness on rural medical incentive programs
  • The delivery of outreach medical and health services in rural Western Australia

If you would like to speak to a member of the Executive Management team, please contact the Communications and Marketing Manager.

Tim Shackleton
Chief Executive Officer

Tim has extensive experience in the rural and regional health sector in Western Australia, previously working for rural health counterparts, the Royal Flying Doctor Service and the WA Country Health Service.

His current focus for Rural Health West is developing stronger links with partner organisations in the rural health sector and securing long-term funding for the company’s recruitment, retention and outreach initiatives.

Tim is experienced in strategy development, health service planning, stakeholder engagement and project management.

He holds a Bachelor of Science (Human Movement) and Post Graduate Diploma in Health Services Administration.

Kelli Porter
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
General Manager Workforce

Kelli has extensive knowledge of Australian health issues and reform, with experience spanning the not-for-profit, government and private health sectors. She has a strong strategic focus on Australian health care and health workforce, with a commitment to delivering solutions for rural communities through building stakeholder relationships and sustainable services.

Kelli provides leadership and management of the Workforce Division at Rural Health West, incorporating Workforce Solutions, Regional Services and Community Workforce Planning.

She holds a Bachelor of Science (Health Promotion), a Graduate Certificate in Health Policy and Management and is a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (AICD).

Leesa Thomas
General Manager, Education and Engagement

Leesa has extensive experience in the events and education sector. Having worked at Rural Health West for 15 years, Leesa began her tenure in 2006 as Manager in the Education and Skills Development department.

In 2019 Leesa became the General Manager of Regional Innovation and Outreach, before being appointed to her current role as General Manager Education and Engagement in 2021.

During her time at Rural Health West Leesa has been responsible for the creation and delivery of a range of new programs including, the Rural and Remote Retrieval Weekend, Health Professionals Networks, WA Rural Health Long Service Awards and expansion of the WA Excellence Awards program.

Leesa is currently undertaking a Master of Business Administration with Southern Cross University.

Kerida Hodge
General Manager, Communications and Marketing

Kerida is responsible for overseeing Rural Health West’s marketing, communication and membership functions. These activities ensure that rural medical and health professionals are aware of the support and development opportunities available to them, and that the organisation is accurately representing the rural workforce at all levels.

Kerida holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University, with a double major in Marketing and Public Relations. She has twenty years’ experience in communications and marketing and been recognised multiple times by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (WA) for her work developing and implementing large-scale communications strategies.