28 May 2026
Health Translation Queensland (HTQ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Dr Peter Aitken as incoming Chair of HTQ, effective 1 June 2026.
Dr Aitken succeeds Ms Sue Scheinpflug, who has chaired HTQ since 2019.
An experienced health system leader, clinician and researcher, Dr Aitken brings extensive expertise across health care innovation, health system leadership, clinical governance, emergency medicine, and disaster management. His longstanding commitment to improving health care outcomes and strengthening partnerships across Queensland’s health sector positions him strongly to lead HTQ into its next phase.
HTQ Interim Executive Director Tammy Sovenyhazi welcomed Dr Aitken’s appointment.
“Peter brings deep expertise in health system leadership, research translation and collaboration across Queensland’s health care sectors. His experience and commitment to improving health outcomes will be invaluable as HTQ continues to strengthen partnerships and accelerate the translation of research into better care for Queenslanders,” Ms Sovenyhazi said.
“We also extend our sincere thanks to Sue Scheinpflug for her leadership, vision and commitment over the past 7 years.”
During Ms Scheinpflug’s tenure as Chair, HTQ achieved several significant milestones, including:
Ms Sovenyhazi acknowledged Ms Scheinpflug’s significant contribution to HTQ’s growth and impact.
“Sue has played an instrumental role in shaping HTQ’s strategic direction and strengthening collaboration across Queensland’s health and research sectors,” she said.
“Under Sue’s leadership, HTQ has expanded its partnerships, strengthened its national profile, and continued to advance research translation to improve health care and health outcomes for Queensland communities.”
Ms Scheinpflug said it had been a privilege to chair HTQ during a period of significant growth, collaboration and challenges.
“It has been an honour to work alongside HTQ partners and health system leaders. I am grateful for the support and commitment of all the HTQ partners to our shared goals in strengthening our approach to collaboration in research and innovation; turning research into health improvements,” Ms Scheinpflug said.
“I am proud of what HTQ has achieved together over the past 7 years and look forward to supporting Peter, Tammy and the team through this next chapter.”
Dr Aitken said he was honoured to take on the role.
“Health Translation Queensland plays a critical role in bringing together health services, research organisations, universities and consumers to tackle Queensland’s health service priorities to improve health care, and ultimately health outcomes for Queenslanders,” Dr Aitken said.
“I look forward to working with HTQ partners and system leaders to continue building the capability of our research translation workforce and removing barriers to collaboration so research can move more quickly into practice.”
HTQ is a NHMRC accredited Research Translation Centre and a partnership organisation bringing together leading Queensland universities, research institutes and health services to help translate well-evidenced research into clinical practice.
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