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The fly-in, fly-out boss of Victoria’s flagship new youth mental health service has resigned after revelations she was overseeing the role from her Queensland base
The Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service announcedt would be leaving the role
“I am writing to let you know that Dr Leanne Geppert has tendered her resignation as CEO of Parkville Youth Mental Health and Wellbeing Service (PYMHWS),” board chair Cath Bowtell wrote in a statement to staff
“This has been a difficult and deeply considered decision for Leanne.”
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The Age revealed on Tuesday that PYMHWS has been beset by staff claims of deteriorating patient care and frustration with so-called “absentee management”
Six workers at the service – including psychiatrists, psychologists and nurses, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, detailed an exodus of senior medical staff, a rise in violent incidents, widespread drug use in secure wards, and claims that the hospital’s management is more focused on its brand than patient care
Earlier this month, four masked intruders forced their way into the reception area at the service’s Sunshine campus and assaulted two people and fled before police arrived
Mental Health Minister Ingrid Stitt told parliament on Tuesday that she had spoken to Bowtell and made her expectations about Geppert’s work arrangements “very clear”
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In a public statement on Wednesday, Geppert said her resignation followed considerable personal reflection about the next chapter of her life and career
“Reform has been the work of my career and helping to establish PYMHWS has been one of its most significant chapters. I leave with enormous belief in what we have built, in our people, and in what this organisation can continue to achieve for young people and their families, carers, supporters and kin,” Geppert said
“This is a decision I have made for myself and my family after a great deal of reflection. With our first grandchild on the way, there is also an exciting new chapter ahead for my family and I know this is the right decision for me.”
Bowtell thanked Geppert for her “extraordinary contribution” and said she always led the organisation with “commitment, capability and an unwavering belief” in its purpose
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“Having led PYMHWS through its establishment and first year of operations, she has been considering for some time when the right point would be to step away. Importantly to her, she wanted to see the organisation through a number of significant milestones
“Her departure will be a significant loss for PYMHWS but I understand and respect the reasons for her decision, and I know she will leave an important legacy in the organisation she has helped to establish.”
The message said the board was working through a process to select an interim CEO and Geppert’s departure was not requested or sought
The youth service was billed as a major response to Victoria’s mental health royal commission when it opened in June 2025, operating as the state’s first dedicated public youth mental health service for people aged 12-25
- Mental health
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Grant McArthur is a senior reporter for The Age.
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