Jeannette Young

Jeannette Rosita Young AC PSM (born 1963) is an Australian medical doctor and administrator who is currently Governor of Queensland, since 1 November 2021. Before being sworn in as Governor, Young was Chief Health Officer of Queensland from 2005 to 2021.[3][4]

Jeannette Young
Young in 2020
27th Governor of Queensland
Assumed office
1 November 2021
MonarchsElizabeth II
Charles III
PremierAnnastacia Palaszczuk
Steven Miles
Preceded byPaul de Jersey
Chief Health Officer of Queensland
In office
17 August 2005 – 1 November 2021
DeputySonya Bennett (2020–2021)
Peter Aitken (2021)
Lynne McKinlay (2021)
James Smith (2021)
Preceded byGerry FitzGerald
Succeeded byJohn Gerrard
Personal details
Born1963 (age 60–61)[1]
Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Spouse
Graeme Nimmo
(m. 2000)
[2]
Children2
EducationSt Ives High School
Alma mater
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Career

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Young was born in 1963 in Sydney, New South Wales.[1] She attended secondary school at St Ives High School, graduating in 1980, before studying at the University of Sydney and graduating in 1986 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery. She started her career as a doctor at Westmead Hospital in Sydney in 1986 where she completed her internship and one year as a resident medical officer before completing 4.5 years as a Registrar in Emergency Medicine. In July 1992 she moved in to medical administration at the same hospital.[3][page needed]

She relocated to Queensland upon her appointment as Director of Medical Services at Rockhampton Hospital in December 1994. In April 1995, she attained a Master of Business Administration by Macquarie University. She then moved into a position similar to her role in Rockhampton, as Executive Director of Medical Services at Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, in January 1999.[citation needed]

On 17 August 2005, she was appointed to succeed Gerry FitzGerald as Chief Health Officer of Queensland. She gained prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020,[5] holding multiple press briefings regarding the disease. Her recommendation to the Palaszczuk Government to close the state's borders, which was implemented, proved controversial as she received numerous death threats and was placed under police protection in September 2020.[6][7]

On 21 June 2021, the then-Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced Young would become the 27th Governor of Queensland. The incumbent Governor Paul de Jersey was due to retire in July 2021, but extended his term until November to allow Young to focus on the COVID-19 vaccine rollout as Chief Health Officer.[8]

Honours

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Viceregal styles of
Jeannette Young
(2021–Present)
Reference styleHer Excellency the Honourable
Spoken styleYour Excellency
Companion of the Order of Australia (AC)2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for "eminent service to public health administration, to medicine and medical research, to the tertiary education sector, and as the 27th Governor appointed in Queensland."12 June 2022[9]
Public Service Medal (PSM)2015 Queen's Birthday Honours for "outstanding public service to Queensland Health."8 June 2015[10]
Dame of Grace of the Order of St John2022 Special Honours appointment as Deputy Prior of the Venerable Order of Saint John.21 October 2022[11]

Degrees

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Fellowships

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Honorary degrees

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Honorary appointments

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References

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  1. ^ Received an honorary degree.
  2. ^ Received an honorary degree.
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Government offices
Preceded by
Gerry FitzGerald
Chief Health Officer of Queensland
17 August 2005 – 1 November 2021
Succeeded by
Preceded by Governor of Queensland
1 November 2021 – present
Incumbent