Our Psychiatrists
Martin Cohen
Dr Martin Cohen completed his training in medicine at The University of Sydney in 1996 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists in 2002. He has over 10 years research experience in the fields of medical education, neuroimaging, epidemiological, and clinical research.
His passion for serving the needs of the community around mental health is also demonstrated by his previous experience as Director of Hunter New England Mental Health Service, and current roles as a conjoint senior lecturer at the University of Newcastle and as a Director of the Board of the Hunter Medical Research Institute.
Our Psychologists
Carmel Loughland
Carmel is a Senior Clinical Psychologist with several years’ practical experience as a registered psychologist. Carmel is also a Senior Research Fellow with the Schizophrenia Research Institute (SRI), Priority Centre for Translational Neuroscience and Mental Health, and a Senior Conjoint Lecturer, Faculty of Medicine and Population Health, University of Newcastle.
Carmel is making a significant contribution to mental health research and is unlocking some of the mysteries surrounding schizophrenia to improve the health outcomes of people with schizophrenia. Carmel holds a PhD from the University of Sydney, and a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) Honours.
Our Counsellors
Diane Bischoff
Diane is an accredited counsellor who holds an Advanced Diploma in Family Counselling, a Grad Cert in Children & Adolescent Mental Health and HFL Cert in Trauma Healing and currently studying an Advanced Cert in Facilitating Trauma Healing. She is a current member of Australian Counsellors Association and PACFA.
Diane has worked with kids and families all my adult life in various capacities. Through these experiences as well of the experience of my own healing journey, I have developed a heart and passion for kids and families who are struggling with life and everyday events.
Aaron is HPCA’s primary men’s health counsellor and presenter. He has worked with men with prostate cancer for over 6 years now, and often travels far and wide delivering preventative health based presentations to thousands of men throughout the Hunter New England area each year.
Aaron has been passionate about men’s health for many years throughout his personal and professional life, having completed a Bachelors of Psychology, a Diploma in professional counselling, and numerous nutrition certificates.
He loves helping men develop the right skills to overcome their health challenges and create healthy habits. Prevention is the best cure!
Our Board
Nick Sovechles
Nick Sovechles is the Chairman of Hunter Prostate Cancer Alliance and has extensive experience in Board Governance and Leadership. He is committed to the work of organisations in the health and community services sector and believes that basic precepts of good governance are fundamental to all not-for-profit organisations. These include having a board charter, well defined roles and responsibilities for board members, appropriate financial knowledge, and accountability and transparency to members, and stakeholders.
Nick is the current Managing Director of PROticket Pty Ltd, and has had over 25 years experience in the ticketing and marketing industry. He is also the Managing Director of Level 7 Advertising, and is Managing Director of Printic Promotions. He also has had previous history in funds management and in investment securities.
Garry Leo
Garry has been a member of the Board of Directors of HPCA since early 2009.
He is a retired Club Manager with a banking and finance background.
Current President of the Newcastle Branch of men of league foundation and a life member of the Balmain Tigers RLFC where Garry played from 1963 to 1974 before accepting a Captain Coach position to play in Newcastle.
Recently appointed to the board of directors of Balmain Tigers Football Club and Leagues Club and current Vice President of Merewether Golf Club.
Married to Carol with three children and seven grandchildren.
Interest include golf, watching rugby league, reading and taking the dog for a walk.
Julie Ainsworth
Julie made history books as Newcastle Newspapers’ first female General Manager. In her role with Newcastle Newspapers, Julie has a huge involvement in the Hunter business landscape and currently serves on several Hunter based boards and committees such as the Prime Community Advisory Committee and Newcastle City Council GM Reference Group.
Among her many accolades, Julie also boasts a past nomination for NSW Women of the Year and was winner of the Newcastle and Hunter Women of Enterprise Award
Keith Crawford
Keith has recently joined the Board of Directors. His background has been mainly in the finance field, having spent some 35 years working for ANZ Banking Group, and progressing to a senior position as a District Manager. His Tertiary qualifications include degrees in both Economics and Industrial Relations. In his later working life he worked as a business consultant with local accounting firm Cutcher & Neale.
His interests these days are his family and various sports and he enjoys a round of golf.
Our Patrons
The Hon. Bob Baldwin MP Federal Member for Paterson
The Hon. Joel Fitzgibbon MP Federal Member for Hunter
Ms Sharon Claydon MP Member for Newcastle NSW
Our Ambassadors
Hon. Milton Morris AO
Michael Hagan
Marc Glanville
Mike Rabbitt
Julie Ainsworth
Richard King
Meryl Swanson
Mark Sargent
Kris Lees
Len Blakeney
Simon Webber
Ross Melville
Guy Ashford
Steve Blyth
Aaron Kearney
Craig Hamilton
Chad Watson