Mr Rogers, 44, was recently appointed to the hospital’s top job after a national search and advertising process.

Mr Rogers replaces Michael Hogan, who resigned in July after nine-and-a-half years as the hospital’s CEO.

Mr Rogers started work this week at St John of God Hospital and is busy getting to know the executive team, staff and even the patients.

“I’m a nurse by background,” he said.

“I like being out on the floors, getting to meet the patients and the team.

“I was helping someone set up a bed on Tuesday morning and helping them with their breakfast, so hopefully when I’m out on the floors I’ll be able to assist the nurses as well. 

“And I’m doing a night shift this Friday to understand how it works at night.”

Mr Rogers’ resume includes a stint as CEO of Ramsay Health Care’s Mitcham Private Hospital in Melbourne.

He also worked with Healthscope in Darwin, Sydney and Melbourne in general manager and director of clinical services roles.

Mr Rogers, who now calls Woodend home, is originally from England.

“I moved over here in 2006,” he said.

“I came over on a three-month working holiday and fell in love with the countryside and got a job as the director of nursing at Melbourne Private and stayed.”

Mr Rogers has a passion for regional healthcare and is keen to pick up where Mr Hogan left off.

“It’s a fantastic hospital and I’m certainly going to have big shoes to fill,” he said.

“I know Michael Hogan was here for a number of years... but it’s an exciting time for Bendigo and St John of God. 

“We are looking at development, so hopefully I can manage that process. 

“We’re not sure what that will look like at the moment but we’re working on it.”

When he’s not busy working, Mr Rogers enjoys horse riding and exploring the countryside.

“My roots are obviously not from Australia, I’m from England, but I’m from a big farming family so for me to be involved in regional Victoria is great,” he said.

“My uncle is a sheep farmer and a cattle farmer, and all my family’s got horses and ride. 

“So the plan is to buy a farm closer to Bendigo – I’m actively looking.”