Business
14 July, 2024
COUCH hires its first CEO
CAIRNS Organisation United for Cancer Health (COUCH) has appointed a chief executive officer for the first time.
Wendy Hughes has taken on the role. She spent more than three years as a senior strategic advisor at Cairns Regional Council, spent a year in an advocacy role for Far North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils and two years as general manager at Advance Cairns, as well as executive positions at MSF Sugar and James Cook University.
COUCH chairman Dr Scott Davis said Ms Hughes had a passion for the community and a proven track record in advocacy and government relations, bringing a wealth of experience to the role.
“Her expertise in marketing, stakeholder management and enhancing the customer experience will enable the COUCH Cancer Wellness Centre and Charity to grow,” he said.
Dr Davis said the new appointment was pivotal and marked a new chapter for COUCH.
“COUCH is at a critical stage of growth and our community and government partnerships are essential for long term growth and sustainability,” he said.
“Wendy is a fantastic appointment and we are excited to welcome her to the team as CEO, a newly established leadership role.”
Ms Hughes said she was “thrilled to accept the opportunity to lead such a dedicated team within a purpose-driven organisation, which exists to improve the lives of Cairns’ cancer-impacted community”.
“COUCH truly is a community asset that many people rely upon for health and wellbeing services at a critical time in their life. Alongside the team I look forward to playing a role in ensuring these services continue to grow.”
In May this year, the COUCH Cancer Wellness Centre celebrated five years of operation, with well over 500 people having accessed its services. In 2023 alone, nearly 6000 episodes of care were provided to individuals in the region impacted by cancer.
Activities at the centre focus on support and education to help reduce anxiety, stress and improve quality of life for those impacted by cancer and their immediate family. A cancer diagnosis is an extremely stressful time and their cancer care nurses, allied health, therapeutic and support teams are on hand to support, empower and promote informed choices for clients.
COUCH is a not-for-profit organisation and relies heavily on the generosity of the Cairns community to fund its client services.
