Profiles

Michael Dray is a Consultant Histopathologist based at Waikato Hospital where he is now the Clinical Unit Leader of the Waikato District Laboratory Services. He gained his medical degree from the University of Otago. His initial medical career saw him in General Practice for several years prior to training in Anatomical Pathology in Sydney, NSW for 5 years before returning to New Zealand in 2006. He spent 6 years working at Middlemore Hospital, South Auckland, before moving to his current position. He is also a Senior Lecturer at the University of Auckland being an active member of the Bone & Joint Research Group, and a Coronial Pathologist. He has served on a number of College committees and was an examiner in Anatomical Pathology. He was Chair of the RCPA New Zealand Committee from 2011-2017 and on the Board of Directors in that capacity. From 2017-2019 Dr Dray has served as a Director of the College as Vice President until elected President in November 2019.

Debra graduated with a Degree of Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at the University of Queensland in 1984. In 1991 she was awarded the Degree of Master in Health Administration in the University of NSW. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Medical Administrators, Fellow of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and an Associate Fellow of the Australian College of Health Service Executives.

From 1985 to 1992 she was on the Medical Staff of the Repatriation General Hospital (Greenslopes Hospital), Queensland where she was an intern, resident medical officer and then Director of Quality Assurance.

In 1992 she moved to the Western Hospital in Victoria. Until 1994 she was Deputy Medical Director when she was appointed as Medical Director. She was Chief Executive Officer in 1995 while also remaining as Medical Director following re-organisation of the Victorian Public Hospital System. She then became Clinical Services Manager of the Western Health Care Network at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She was also involved in the tendering process for the Victorian Infectious Diseases Reference Laboratory.

In 1997 Debra was appointed Director, Medical Services, Medical Benefits Fund of Australia, Hospital Division in Sydney.

Debra was appointed as the first CEO of the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia in February 1999.

Dr Helen Freeborn has completed specialist training with the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators (RACMA).   She has worked as a clinical advisor for NSW eHealth and in the Medical Administration team at Royal North Shore Hospital. She holds a Master’s in Public Health and, before entering into a career in Medical Administration, she worked as an advisor to a number of politicians and as a surgical registrar. She is also a board member of the Medical Benevolent Association of NSW.