Colleen Jen

When she first began working as a nurse, Colleen Jen never imagined she would one day be a Deputy Director-General of Queensland Health. “I was not one to have a set career path,” she explains. “I just worked at my full potential and took opportunities that were offered to me and pursued my personal and professional development, which enabled me to take on these opportunities.”

Now, as a winner of a Griffith University Outstanding Alumni Award for Griffith Health, Colleen says she’s extremely proud of what she’s been able to achieve so far. “My early nursing career set me up for a great career in health. Being part of the health community and recognised for what I have achieved is humbling and an unexpected accolade.”

Colleen’s impact in health has been far-reaching and she has steadily climbed from having direct patient contact as a frontline nurse, then a nursing leader, to someone who is leading healthcare strategy, planning, and research to improve outcomes for workers and patients alike. She has led strategic policy, health service planning, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health and infrastructure planning teams within Queensland Health; and recently, Colleen was appointed as the Deputy Director-General of the Clinical Planning and Service Strategy (CPSS) Division.

CPSS is a newly created division in Queensland Health responsible for delivering strategy and planning for clinical services, including mental health, alcohol and other drug services, workforce strategy and planning and leadership development as well as research, innovation and precision medicine functions. The role is aimed at improving health services available to the Queensland community, optimising health gains, reducing inequality and maximising the efficiency and effectiveness of the health system.

“These portfolios are fundamental to an efficient, sustainable and effective health system and I love the challenge and the breadth of work and the great people I get to work with,” Colleen says.

She first realised her passion for healthcare after completing a week of work experience at the Prince Charles Hospital in Year 10. Upon graduating high school, she applied to the Princess Alexandra Hospital to undertake hospital-based nursing training and has never looked back.

From there she worked as a Registered Nurse and after two years of working in infectious diseases, she was transferred to the Coronary Care Unit (CCU).

In 1992 she became the Charge Nurse of the CCU. “After working in CCU and rotating through the intensive care unit, I became very interested in a career in critical care nursing,” she says. “The advanced skills and knowledge that critical care nurses have are essential in providing the best outcomes for patients. It’s a rewarding area of work with a great supportive multidisciplinary team environment.”

Having found her nursing niche, Colleen undertook her Masters in Critical Care Nursing at Griffith University in 1998. The course consolidated her clinical knowledge and skills and enabled her to undertake a critical research project.

Colleen was determined to take any opportunities that were offered to her so when – after 20 years of clinical work – she was given the chance to work in the Department of Health, she jumped at the chance. “I was given the opportunity to lead the development of a statewide cardiac services plan,” she explains. “Following this project, I remained working in the Department in policy and planning.”

Colleen realised that understanding the role of government and public sector policy was fundamental to achieving results as a policy and planning officer, so she decided to return to Griffith to study a Graduate Certificate in Policy Analysis. “It was a great opportunity to learn from prominent lecturers in government relations,” she says.

“For both courses I undertook at Griffith University, I was attracted to the calibre of lecturers involved and the structure of the course work. The support to students was exceptional,” she says.

Colleen says she’s proud to be a part of what is currently a very exciting period of growth and challenge for health in Queensland. “My role and the work of my teams is instrumental in supporting health services to continue to provide world-class healthcare and ensure collaboration across sectors and with key partners,” she says. “With the release of HealthQ32 this year and supporting strategies for research, health services and workforce my team has a very full agenda to deliver on. So far, I am proud of the legacy I have left for the teams I have led and the lifelong friendships I have formed.”

Lastly, Colleen says the support of her family was instrumental in getting her this far. “I did all my studies whilst working full-time and having my two children. My husband has always supported my career and is my biggest champion.”