MEDIA RELEASE

15 MAY 2026

AMA Queensland welcomes new leadership team

AMA Queensland has welcomed its new leadership team, with the election of Associate Professor Erica Gannon as President and Dr Sarah Coll as Vice President.

Associate Professor Gannon is a senior medical officer and staff specialist emergency physician who currently practices at Caboolture Hospital and St Andrews War Memorial Hospital. 

“It is an honour to step into the role of AMA Queensland President, and to give back to the profession that has given me so much,” Associate Professor Gannon said. 

“Queensland’s health sector is at a crossroads, with nearly 5300 extra public hospital doctors and 700 general practitioners needed by the 2032 Olympic Games.

“Our public hospitals are struggling to cope with growing demand for planned surgery and outpatient appointments amid bed block and the closure of private hospital services.

“Federally, we see the ongoing pressures of aged care, NDIS, veterans’ health, inadequate public hospital funding and low Medicare rebates while the value of private hospital insurance continues to decline.

“As someone on the frontline in emergency departments, I know how important it is to have a health system that works for everyone.”

Dr Sarah Coll is an orthopaedic surgeon practising in Cairns and says it is vital doctors’ voices continue to be heard.

“Doctors across Queensland are facing increasing system pressure, growing regulatory complexity and real uncertainty about the sustainability of both public and private practise,” Dr Coll said.

“Being based in Far North Queensland reinforces the importance of ensuring statewide decisions reflect the realities of our profession.”

AMA Queensland CEO Dr Brett Dale said the organisation continued to attract the best and brightest to represent doctors’ interests.

“Associate Professor Gannon and Dr Coll are dedicated and experienced professionals with a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in our health system,” he said.

“We are fortunate to have their knowledge and passion as we lobby state and federal governments for change.

“We’d also like to thank our outgoing leadership team of Dr Nick Yim and Dr Emilia Dauway, who have served with incredible dedication over the past two years,” he said. 

“AMA Queensland has claimed significant victories – such as a payroll tax exemption, free RSV and flu vaccination programs and reforms in e-mobility devices – under their tenure.”

Biographies

Associate Professor Erica Gannon is a senior medical officer and staff specialist emergency physician. Professionally she has been in clinical practice for 22 years in Australia and overseas and currently practices at the Caboolture Hospital and St Andrews War Memorial Hospital. A former pharmacist, Associate Professor Gannon began her medical studies in 2000 at the University of Sydney and completed her fellowship with The Australasian College for Emergency Medicine in 2012. 

Dr Sarah Coll is an orthopaedic surgeon based in Cairns. She has been in private practice for over 18 years and manages all types of upper limb surgery. She also performs ankle and knee arthroscopies and reconstructions. Dr Coll is also Adjunct Lecturer at James Cook University, teaching clinical orthopaedics to medical students and supporting regional medical education.

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