People Behind the Care

People Behind the Care: Why Erin Ash’s Story Matters for Future Aurora Team Members

At Aurora Healthcare, the care we provide doesn’t start with programs or buildings — it starts with people.

In our People Behind the Care podcast series, we share the real stories of the individuals who shape our hospitals, our culture and the way we support patients every day. In this episode, recorded in recognition of International Women’s Day, we sit down with Erin Ash, CEO of South Coast Private Hospital and Kellyville Private Hospital, to explore leadership, purpose and what makes Aurora such a unique place to work.

While the conversation centres on Erin’s journey, it also offers something just as important: a genuine insight into what it’s like to build a career at Aurora.

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From the Floor to the CEO Office — A Career Built on Care

Erin’s career didn’t begin in a boardroom. Like many Aurora team members, she started on the frontline — working in aged care while studying nursing, then progressing through tertiary hospital environments before finding her passion in mental health.

Her story reflects something we value deeply at Aurora:
career pathways are built, not imposed.

“I’ve worked in healthcare for most of my life because I wanted to make a difference in people’s days — even in the smallest way,” Erin explains.

For current and future team members, this matters. It shows that leadership at Aurora understands clinical realities, patient pressures and the importance of compassion — because many of our leaders have lived it themselves.

Leadership That Is Present, Accessible and Human

One of the strongest themes to emerge from the podcast is Erin’s belief in visible leadership.

At Aurora, leadership doesn’t mean distance. It means:

• Being accessible to staff and patients
• Listening to feedback — and acting on it
• Stepping in to help, regardless of title

From helping on the ward when teams are stretched, to personally reading patient feedback and supporting staff through personal challenges, Erin’s approach reflects Aurora’s wider leadership philosophy:
everyone is here for the same reason — to support patients and each other.

For job seekers, this speaks volumes. It reassures clinicians, allied health professionals and support teams that they’ll be seen, supported and heard.

A Culture Where People Come First — Always

Throughout the conversation, Erin returns to one central idea:

“If we look after our people, they’ll look after our patients.”

This people‑first culture is evident across Aurora hospitals, where:

• Staff are encouraged to share ideas and shape change
• Feedback flows upwards — not just down
• Learning and development are actively supported
• Recognition is part of everyday work, not an annual event

Aurora’s approach to mental health care is deeply trauma‑informed, person‑centred and collaborative — and that philosophy applies just as strongly to our teams as it does to our patients.

Creating Opportunities — Especially for Women in Leadership

As part of the International Women’s Day conversation, Erin highlights a powerful statistic:
while women make up the majority of the healthcare workforce nationally, they remain underrepresented in leadership roles.

At Aurora, that pattern looks very different.

Across South Coast and Kellyville Private Hospitals, the vast majority of leadership roles are held by women, reflecting a culture that values capability, not gender, life stage or career interruptions.

Aurora actively:

• Promotes from within
• Supports flexible career pathways
• Encourages learning at every career stage
• Invests in succession planning and leadership development

For anyone considering their next step — whether they’re early in their career or ready to lead — Aurora offers space to grow.