Mary Hinds is Director of Nursing and Allied Professions in the newly established Public Health Agency whose functions include, Health Promotion, Health Improvement and Health Protection. Mary began her career as a nursing auxiliary in the Mater Hospital and went on to complete her nurse training there. She has worked in a variety of health care settings including Accident and Emergency in both the Mater and Lagan Valley hospitals. She went on to open Lindsay House children’s home, a respite facility for children with learning difficulties, as well as working for a period as a Nursing Officer at the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety. Mary has held the position of Director of Nursing in the Mater Hospital, Belfast and prior to her appointment to the new Agency was the Director of the Royal College of Nursing in Northern Ireland.