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15 Oct 2026, 23:47 · WAtoday

8.06am

WA Health director general retires

WA Health’s director general Dr Shirley Bowen has announced her retirement after four decades in medicine and almost three years as the head of the state’s biggest public sector agency.

Bowen began in the role leading the Department of Health in May 2024, and will officially call time on her career on February 26 next year.

WA Health Director General Shirley Bowen and Health Infrastructure Minister John Carey at a press conference earlier this year.

Prior to that, she was chief executive of the North Metropolitan Health Service, chief executive of St John of God Subiaco, chief health officer of the Australian Capital Territory, the executive director of Fremantle Hospital, and was the dean of the School of Medicine at the University of Notre Dame.

Health Minister Meredith Hammat paid tribute to Bowen’s “outstanding leadership”.