Southern Cross Healthcare has appointed Angela Hitchen as General Manager of Brightside Hospital following an executive assessment and development process facilitated by SEQEL Partners.

Southern Cross Healthcare is New Zealand’s largest private healthcare organisation and has been a trusted part of the New Zealand healthcare system for over 40 years. Comprised of a nationwide network of joint venture and wholly owned hospitals, specialist centres, physiotherapy, rehabilitation and employer health and wellness providers, the not-for-profit continually looks for ways to enhance and support the health and wellbeing of New Zealanders.

Since starting her career as a Phlebotomist with Diagnostic Medlab and Labtest, Angela has spent the last 13 years with Southern Cross Healthcare. After early roles as a Staff Nurse (Cardiothoracic, General Theatre, and PACU and Day Surgery), Angela spent four years in Quality & Risk, where she developed strong skills in the area of compliance and regulatory standards. She was promoted to Clinical Operations Manager for North Harbour Hospital in 2022, her first major clinical operations leadership role. In early 2025 Angela was appointed acting General Manager of Brightside Hospital and, following a robust executive assessment process and successful performance as interim, was permanently appointed General Manager in June.

Angela holds a Bachelor of Health Science in Nursing from Auckland University of Technology.