Dr Paul Mercer: Chair of the Board

Dr Paul Mercer is an Australian-based health professional. Paul is trained as a GP (General Practitioner) and his practice, Silky Oaks Medical Practice is located in Manly West, Brisbane. He
writes:

"I have been a member of Health Serve Australia since 2015, and Chair of the HSA Board since November 2016. My qualifications are MBBS, Dip RACOG, and FRACGP. I am moving into semi-retirement after a full time GP career since 1983.

Previous Board experience: I served on the Board of TEAR Australia from 2006 to 2014. I was a member of the RACGP National Preventive and Community Medicine Committee 1996 to 2002 and chaired the Committee from October 1999 to January 2002. I currently am a member of the Reference Board for Doctors’ Health in Queensland and have participated in the Doctors’ Health Advisory Service Call Line since 1983.

I have also been a practice based GP Registrar medical educator since 1988 (GPTQ) and held a part time clinical lecturer role at the University of Queensland in 2019. I have been involved in practice based medical student education over a long period of time.

I was the lead editor of Luke’s Journal from CMDFA from 2005-2019 and have also made regular contributions to public theology through Zadok publications and Theology on Tap, Brisbane. I am a member of the Holy Scribblers writers coop. A life member of RACGP, I also hold membership with the Ethos community, Doctors for the Environment Australia, the Medical Association for the Prevention of War.

I am married to Katrina, and we have three adult children and eight grandchildren. Katrina and I are worshipping members of Bayside Uniting Church. I enjoy golf, AFL football, cricket, new music, and public speaking.

In 2022, I contributed to the publication of three books.

• Pub Theology. Editors Irene Alexander and Charles Ringma. Piquant Editions.
• To Whom Shall We Go – Faith responses in a time of crisis. Editors Irene Alexander and Christopher Brown. Cascade Books.
• Medicine and Memories in East Arnhem Land. Self-published through the Author Academy.”
  
  

Chris Dickons: Executive Officer

Chris has over two decades of experience in senior leadership roles spanning education, Christian ministry and the Not-For-Profit sector both in Australia and internationally, and has served on a number of school and Not-For-Profit boards.

With extensive time working with disadvantaged groups, Chris is passionate about Kingdom ministry and the call to have a transformational impact in our communities locally and overseas. He loves to see Christians equipped in their gifts and mobilised to make a difference where they live, work and socialise. 

As well as the Executive Officer for HealthServe Australia, Chris is the Director and founder of Manna Consulting where he works with churches, Christian schools, Not-For-Profits and businesses to build healthy and impactful ministries. Chris has a Masters of Educational Leadership and Management and is a graduate of the Arrow Executive Leadership Program. Originally from Middlesbrough in the UK, he now resides on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland with his wife and two young children.

Pui Cheung: Treasurer

BBus, MBA, FCPA, GAICD, Grad Dip Divinity

Pui is a financial management executive and has worked in the private and the public sectors in a range of industries and government authorities. She is a Fellow of Certified Practising Accountant of Australia and a Graduate member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. Since 2016 Pui has been serving on boards and committees of a number of not-for-profit community groups and Christian ministries. She joins HealthServe in 2022.

Pui has a deep faith in Christ and is active in local churches. She has served in many church ministries over the years and is passionate about doing the will of God and living out the love of Christ in our fallen world.

 Rachel Gijsbers- Hayman

Rachel has a degree in Bachelor of Arts (Outdoor Education) and a Diploma of Education (Secondary) and has been an outdoor education and Social Sciences teacher for over 10 years. Rachel has been a volunteer for HealthServe Australia, supporting the marketing and administration tasks of the Administration team. She is passionate about improving health care needs for all, particularly women and children in developing nations. Currently, she works for Not-For-Profit Scripture Union, Victoria as their Holiday Camps Coordinator and has experience training and leading in Childsafe and risk management practices. 

Dr Richard Wong  

MB BS BSc(Med) FRACGP DCH DRANZCOG Biblical Studies Certificate of Theology Diploma of Biblical Studies

Richard is VR GP who hails from Sydney but in the last few years has been working a lot in areas of need around Australia and internationally as well by dedicating some of his time to short term medical mission trips.

He is currently in Queensland working in general practice, with an interest in aged care and sports medicine, and hospital and after hours work. He has enjoyed the opportunities of working with likeminded christian doctors and health professionals. He is a long term member of CMDFA and was its NSW secretary for a number of years before switching to continue in a similar role in Queensland. He has shared in teaching roles over the years in both a bible and medical capacity. He has also been a long term supporter of TEAR amongst other christian organisations and is a trainer for the Saline Process as well as a PRIME qualified tutor. He is interested in addressing the disparity of health care around the world by using his God given resources to help in any way possible through the board of Healthserve.

Doug Shaw

Doug is married to Sally and the father of three adult children. He lives in the Aldinga Eco-Village in South Australia.  He is a University of Queensland medical graduate and has specialist qualifications in general practice (FRACGP) and public health medicine (FAFPHM).  He lived and worked in Cambodia for several years in community health and development before moving to South Australia in 2007 where he worked for SA Health in communicable disease control for 15 years. He is a member of Doctors for the Environment Australia, the Public Health Association of Australia and the Australian Medical Association. He was also the course coordinator for the Intermed international health and development program from 2007 to 2019 and remains on the Intermed SA Committee. He was on the Board of HealthServe Australia from 2008-2013 and since then has served on the HSA Program Committee.

Michael Gumbley

Michael has a Diploma of Social Sciences (Youth Work) and a Masters of Information Technology. He began his career as a Youth Worker on the front lines of youth homelessness, disadvantaged youth, and abuse victims. Shifting gears in his late twenties, Michael has worked in business for the past two decades. An Information Technology professional, he specialises in data science and business strategy. Michael is passionate about improving health, safety, and education outcomes for those living in disadvantaged communities - both globally and locally. Michael has a strong belief that actions speak louder than words in bringing the good news of Christ to the world, and for that reason he has been a strong supporter for many years of HealthServe Australia and all they do. 

Dr Michael Burke

MBBS, PhD, MA, MSc (Clin Epi), MPH&TM, FRACGP, FACTM, DRANZCOG, DCH, Dip Biblical Studies, Graduate Certificate in Educational Studies (USyd).
Michael completed his PhD at the UNSW in gender and HIV issues. He is a Conjoint Associate Professor in General Practice at the University of Western Sydney. He is committed to access and quality in medical service delivery in local and global settings. He has worked in Tanzania, east Africa for many years. He brings three decades of global health experience to his work.

Stacey Lamont 

Stacey is a committed Christian and healthcare professional with over a decade of experience in nursing and midwifery. Holding a Dual Master of Public Health and Health Leadership and Management, a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, and a Bachelor of Nursing, Stacey’s expertise and passion focuses on women's and children's health. Her leadership in clinical operations, policy development, and workforce training highlights her commitment to improving healthcare. Motivated by the verse “Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others” (Philippians 2:4), Stacey’s dedication to service and compassion shines through her work as she cares for people. Stacey joined the HSA Board in August 2024. 

Committee Members

Owen Lewis 

Dr Owen Lewis has been national secretary of CMDFA before the national office was established, and was a missionary in Nepal for about 14 years with breaks in between as a rural GP in South Australia. He has been involved in teaching for a long time including establishing GP and Emergency Medicine in a teaching hospital in Nepal, teaching GPs in India through CMC Vellore and teaching South Sudanese health workers in Kampala. He has a continuing role as international adviser to a disabled people’s organisation in Nepal.

A man of passionate faith, he is an ardent follower of Jesus’ way of love and the fullness of the gospel as good news for people now, in a practical way. Eternal salvation is also no less important. He longs for the next generations to take up the challenges of those who have gone before. 

Board Subcommittees 

Business Development Committee

• Michael Burke
• Paul Mercer
• Rachel Gjisbers-Hayman
• Pui Cheung
• Michael Gumbley

Program Committee

• Michael Burke
• Paul Mercer
• Owen Lewis
• Rachel Gjisbers-Hayman
• Doug Shaw
• Richard Wong