Department of Health Director General Dr Shirley Bowen has announced her retirement, bringing to a close a distinguished career spanning more than 40 years in medicine and health leadership.
Dr Bowen, who has led WA’s largest public sector agency since May 2024, will retire on 26 February 2027, having served almost three years as Director General of the Department of Health.
As leader of the WA health system, Dr Bowen worked closely with chief executives across the State’s Health Service Providers to drive system-wide decision-making, set strategic priorities and coordinate health service delivery for Western Australians.
Her tenure came during a period of unprecedented demand and transformation for the health sector, marked by population growth, an ageing community and rapid advances in healthcare technology. In response, Dr Bowen led significant organisational reforms within the Department of Health to strengthen its ability to lead the system and meet future challenges.
Dr Bowen’s retirement follows the successful implementation of the 2026 Winter Strategy, which delivered a reduction in ambulance ramping across all winter months compared with 2025, despite continued growth in demand for health services.
Prior to her appointment as Director General, Dr Bowen held several prominent leadership positions across healthcare, government and academia. Her extensive career included roles as Chief Executive of the North Metropolitan Health Service, Chief Executive Officer of St John of God Subiaco Hospital, Chief Health Officer of the Australian Capital Territory, Executive Director of Fremantle Hospital and Dean of the School of Medicine at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
Throughout her career, Dr Bowen earned a reputation for her deep expertise across all areas of healthcare and her unwavering commitment to building stronger, more sustainable public health services.
Under her leadership, WA Health continued to deliver services to a growing population through a workforce of more than 65,000 staff and a budget of $16.25 billion, making it the State’s largest public sector agency.
Reflecting on Dr Bowen’s contribution, colleagues have highlighted her collaborative approach, strategic vision and commitment to improving health outcomes for all Western Australians.
A nationwide search will now commence to identify and appoint the next Director General of the Department of Health.
Dr Bowen leaves a lasting legacy across Western Australia’s health system, having dedicated more than four decades to improving healthcare, supporting patients and shaping the future of public health.
