From mail boy to healthcare executive
Master of Health Services Management
Travis Hodgson started work straight out of high school as a mailman at Brisbane’s Prince Charles Hospital, but it was Griffith University that helped him deliver on his true potential.
“I didn’t follow the traditional path,” says the Chief Operating Officer of Healthdirect Australia.
“I skipped university and jumped straight into full-time work. My first job in healthcare was as the hospital mailman at The Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. Alongside tired legs from all the walking, this role gave me a front-row seat to hospital operations - literally from the ground up. I'm grateful for the experiences I gained taking this entry path into health and the inspiring clinicians and patients I had the privilege to meet along the way. I’ll never forget where I came from, or where I started. I went on to quickly rise through the ranks in Queensland Health, but I realised that what got me here wasn’t going to keep me here.”
The turning point came when mentors - who also happened to teach at Griffith University - encouraged him to consider formal study. Travis recalls sitting in on a healthcare ethics lecture at Griffith University and having a “lightbulb moment”. He promptly enrolled in a Master of Health Services Management, a decision that would shape not just his career but his perspective on leadership.
“Griffith was exceptional,” Travis says. “The diversity of classmates - aspiring health leaders and clinicians from around the world - was incredible. The program wasn’t just about theory; it allowed me to apply my experience directly, filling gaps in my knowledge while enhancing my leadership style.”
That leadership style has underpinned many of Travis’ accomplishments.
Today, as COO of Healthdirect Australia, he oversees operations that support more than nine million annual consumer health encounters. His portfolio spans strategy, policy, government relations, digital transformation, health service operations and a contracted multidisciplinary workforce of 2000+.
“Healthdirect is Australia’s largest provider of health information, digital tools, and virtual care services, solely owned by the governments of Australia,” Travis says.
“My personal mission is to care for people at their most vulnerable moments - and the scope at Healthdirect allows me to pursue that daily.”
Travis’s journey has been marked by transformative projects that have left a lasting impact.
His career with Queensland Health lasted 13 years, culminating with his final post as Senior Executive Director in the office of the Director-General and Minister for Health heading up strategic engagement, policy and advisory functions.
Following this, he and his young family went on to live and work in the Northern Territory where he headed up NT’s health system performance and funding functions across the Top End.
Travis reflects, “this opportunity was incredibly rewarding for both me and my family. The chance to make a meaningful impact in the Territory went beyond anything I had experienced in previous roles - it's a remarkable place to live and work.”
Travis and the family returned to Brisbane in 2017 where he took up contract work with the Australian Digital Health Agency. Progressing to Chief of Staff and Executive for Programs and Engagement, he played a pivotal role in rolling out the My Health Record expansion program and introducing electronic prescribing to primary care, bringing digital health solutions to millions of people.
Later, joining Healthdirect, he was instrumental in the development of tools including the Vaccine Clinic Finder and the National Coronavirus Helpline during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We developed systems that supported millions of Australians with information, helping them to access vaccines and navigate community restrictions and connect them with complex systems of care,” he says.
One of his proudest achievements came in 2023 when he successfully negotiated Queensland’s entry as a shareholder in Healthdirect, making it a truly national organisation.
“That was a defining moment,” he says. “It took years of negotiation, trust-building and demonstrating value, but it was a critical step to achieving our goal of harmonising virtual healthcare services across the country.”
Travis’ dedication hasn’t gone unnoticed. Among his accolades are the ACHSM Sister Angela Mary Doyle Academic Award for the highest GPA in his graduating class, two Griffith University Awards for Academic Excellence, and an Australia Day Medallion from the Queensland Government for innovation and business improvement in patient access programs.
Reflecting on his success, Travis credits Griffith for much of his growth.
“The program didn’t just give me a master’s degree; it gave me perspective, confidence, and a network of like-minded professionals. My career growth wouldn’t have been possible without it.”
Despite his achievements, Travis remains grounded and forward-looking.
“I chose healthcare management 18 years ago because I was inspired by the opportunity to be part of a system that cares for people in their most vulnerable moments,” he says. “That hasn’t changed.”
Travis' next goal is to transition from COO to a CEO role within the next 12 to 18 months, where he can continue driving impactful change in Australia’s healthcare system. Committed to ongoing growth and mentorship, he is set to graduate from the Institute of Company Directors and is expanding his voluntary mentoring services to support emerging healthcare leaders across Queensland. Through these efforts, Travis aims to further strengthen his leadership capacity and make a lasting difference in the sector. He also plans to squeeze in more time to fish with his son, chasing the elusive barra on a north Queensland trip later this year!
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