Ms Cowan, 39, has moved to the island with husband Derek and three-year-old son Evan for a lifestyle change and they are already discussing where to build or buy a house after just a few weeks here.

At both ends of the healthcare spectrum, Ms Cowan plans to address the future of Carnarvon and the needs of the ageing community through to the range of services that might be offered to young people on the island.

“I want to take some time to settle in and look at what the community needs,” Ms Cowan said.

Ms Cowan trained as a nurse in Scotland and has most recently held the EODON position at Strathalbyn.

As to where you might find the Cowans out of work time, Ms Cowan says she is former golfer and enjoys bike riding but you would probably see her at KI Children’s Services.

The other new face at KIHS is Genevieve Hebart, the new Area Health Manager who has added Kangaroo Island to her current responsibilities overseeing health services in the Adelaide Hills and Southern Fleurieu.

Ms Hebart has taken over the role vacated by Mike Melino and will spend three days a month on the island and be accessible at other times.

She described her position as being “a problem solver, trouble shooter and a buffer between site managers and Country Health”.

Shauna Black