DOCTORS | SPEECH PATHOLOGISTS | MENTAL HEALTH | PHYSIO | NURSES | PROSTHETICS & ORTHOTICS
Our Team of General Practitioners
Dr Louisa Martin
Dr Louisa lives in Melbourne’s Inner North with her young family. In addition to her General Practice training, Dr Louisa holds a Diploma of Child Health and has participated in medical projects in East Timor and Sri Lanka. Her special interest areas include Child and Adolescent Health, Women’s Health, IUD placement and Sexual Health. Dr Louisa has an interest in gender affirming care and LGBTIQ+ health, including informed consent model of care. As the mother of a young family, outside work you will find her chasing them around a local park or tending to her prize-winning tomatoes in summer and broccoli in winter.
Dr Helen Steele - Consulting at Bluestone Way Clinic
Dr Helen is back! She’s returned to the INMC family after working at an Aboriginal owned and led medical service over the past two years.
Helen grew up in Bendigo and obtained her medical degree from Monash in 2006 and her GP specialist qualification in 2012. She’s worked in a huge variety of settings, from student placements in remote Aboriginal
communities and the highlands of PNG to working in
rural/regional/major metropolitan hospitals all across Australia. She has a background of working in Paediatrics and Travel Medicine.
Helen has a special interest in children’s health, food allergies, tricky eczema, supporting breastfeeding and travel medicine. She uses the Healthy At Any Size approach and is friendly and non-judgmental.
She’s a mum of two and would love to find more time for sleep!
Bookings available across our two locations:
Dr Gary Rodrigues
Dr Gary is a passionate doctor who spent his hospital years in a variety of critical care roles before making the switch to GP.
He enjoys all aspects of general practice, with special interests in preventative health, mental health, men’s health, travel medicine and paediatrics.
Outside of work, Gary is a fanatical surfer, vinyl collector and avid traveller.
Dr Jyoti Blencowe
Born and raised with CERES as a second backyard, Dr Jyoti now loves being able to give back to her Brunswick community as a caring and experienced General Practitioner. Dr Jyoti holds a Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology and has special interests in Women’s health including pregnancy care, sexual health, chronic disease management, skin checks and preventative medicine. When not at work, Jyoti juggles the beauty and pandemonium of two small children, a kelpie, chickens, baking sourdough and managing a small farm with her husband.
Dr Owen Harris
He’ll be back!!
Unfortunately Dr Owen needs to take a few months of unexpected personal leave and will not be available. We apologise for the lack of notice and realise that this will be difficult news for some people (we love him too!)
Rest assured that our team of kind, compassionate and experienced doctors at Inner North are ready to help with all your needs.
And as soon as Dr Owen has a return date, you will be the first to know!
Dr Leila Radfar
Dr Leila is a Brunswick East local who trained at major metropolitan hospitals across Cardiology, Plastic Surgery and Neurosurgery. She was an Emergency and Trauma registrar at the Royal Melbourne Hospital prior to completing General Practice training. She has always had a special interest in preventative medicine and primary health care. In 2013 she started working as a GP in Victoria and specialises in skin cancer screening and treatment as well as womens and elderly health.
She believes in and advocates to all her patients to Sleep Well, Eat Well and Keep Active!
Dr Dhanu Giritharan
Dr Dhanu graduated from Monash University in 2015, having made the move across the Nullarbor. He has broad experience working in Emergency and General Practice. He is particularly interested in Men’s Health, Palliative and End of Life Care and Medicinal Cannabis. In addition, he is currently undertaking a Masters of Bioethics and in Healthcare in Remote and Extreme Environments. He is one of the doctors working at the Inner North Medical Medicinal Cannabis Clinic. He has also completed training in Voluntary Assisted Dying.
When not engaging with patients in the clinic, Dhanu is most likely running after his two children, hiking, bar hopping throughout Brunswick East and being a long-suffering supporter of Fremantle Dockers.
Bookings available across our two locations:
Dr Elysia Robb
Dr Elysia is a University of Melbourne medicine graduate. She trained at various metropolitan Melbourne hospitals and completed her Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology (DRANZCOG) in 2017 before commencing General Practice training. Born and bred in country Victoria, she now calls Melbourne home, where she resides with her young family and partner. In her time 'off' she enjoys salsa dancing, playing the guitar, gardening, singing in various choirs, and volunteering in the Victorian Medical Women's Society.
Dr Elysia is currently on sabbatical and will be returning in mid July 2024!!
Dr Claire Owen
Claire is an experienced GP who is passionate about providing comprehensive patient-centred care. She is an expert in pregnancy planning, antenatal care and post pregnancy health and is a shared care provider for the major Melbourne hospitals. Dr Claire offers in-office ultrasound for pregnancy management. She has a special interest in contraception and reproductive medicine and discussing options for early pregnancy and family planning. Along with Dr Louisa, she offers expert IUD placement..
Outside of work Claire is kept busy with her three young children although often finds herself embarking on long runs along Merri Creek to escape the chaos at home!
Dr Lucinda Luckett
Dr Lucinda grew up in the country and completed her GP training in Sydney where she developed her passion for practising holistic, preventative medicine, treating the whole person to encourage overall health and wellbeing. She is confident with all aspects of general practice and has a special interest in paediatrics and adolescent health, mental health, sexual health, drug and alcohol issues and women’s health. Outside of work she spends time with her young family, exploring the area by bike, gardening, reading and heading to the cinema whenever possible. Dr Lucinda is currently only consulting via telehealth.
Dr Anne Oppermann
Anne grew up in South West Victoria and has always loved being part of her local community. She is interested in helping people manage problems like insomnia, anxiety and chronic pain holistically, and she wants people to feel empowered in their medical care. Anne has a special interest in working with people diagnosed with autism, including research into treatment for children with this diagnosis alongside Deakin University. Anne loves working in her local community and can often be seen riding around the area on her bicycle with a very fancy seat. She lives in a house full of plants and loves them!
Dr Alistair Richardson
Dr Alistair has worked in a number of rural and metropolitan hospitals and clinics throughout Australia, and we are excited to have him as part of the Inner North Medical Clinic!
His special interests include Children's and Family Medicine, Skin Cancer Screening and Treatment, Mental Health Assessments and Chronic Disease Management. When not consulting at Inner North, Dr Alistair can be found traipsing around the countryside with his young family, working in remote communities or spending time enjoying everything the inner city has to offer!
Dr Tim Evans
Dr Tim completed his medical degree through the University of Notre Dame and his GP training throughout regional Victoria and metropolitan Melbourne. Tim is interested in all areas of General Practice but particularly Men's Health, Paediatric Medicine, Mental Health and Sexual Health.
Outside of work he enjoys an active lifestyle getting to the beach as often as possible, cycling, cooking all manner of things on the weekend and enjoying the latest English premier league action.
Dr Jessie Rucker
After graduating from the University of Melbourne Jessie spent several years working in various metropolitan and regional hospitals. She has completed further training with a Diploma of Child Health and a Certificate of Women’s Health and is passionate about providing holistic healthcare, and developing long-term therapeutic relationships with her patients.
Jessie loves getting out of the city when she can, is an avid runner, sings in a local choir, and spends the rest of her time with family and friends.
Dr Sam Hinch
Dr Sam is an Inner North local with extensive experience working in both rural and metropolitan hospitals. He is an expert in Paediatric and Family Medicine, Mental Health, Sexual Health and Preventative Medicine and is known for his kind, friendly and approachable attitude.
Outside of his work at Inner North Medical he can be found enjoying everything the amazing local area offers.
Bookings available across our two locations:
BOOK WITH DR SAM AT YGON STREET
BOOK WITH DR SAM AT BLUESTONE WAY (EAST BRUNSWICK VILLAGE)
Dr Ky Manze
Dr Ky previously worked as a high school teacher before graduating from Medicine and embarking on a career in General Practice. Her special areas of interest include Sexual Health (including LGBTQI health promotion), Chronic Disease Management, Children's, Family Medicine, Asthma Management, Skin Cancer Medicine and Travel Medicine.
Away from the clinic, Ky cares for her large (and ever-increasing) collection of house plants and gets to every art show, gig or performance that she can!
Dr Charlotte Knight
Living in Melbourne’s Inner North with her young family Dr Knight has trained extensively throughout metropolitan and country Victoria. She enjoys complex General Medicine, Family Medicine and Women's and Children's Health. Dr Knight holds additional Diploma's in Child Health and Certificate of Skin Cancer Medicine. Outside work she is an avid Cat's supporter and knitter, combining the two where she can!
Dr Yeli Kang
Dr Yeli is an experienced GP who has worked at major metropolitan teaching hospitals in Sydney and Canberra before relocating to Melbourne's Inner North! Dr Yeli has a keen interest in Mental Health, Women's Health, Child and Adolescent Health and Family Medicine.
She has recently settled in Melbourne and when not exploring the city, she enjoys playing table top games and video games, and spending time with her cats.
We are incredibly excited to welcome Dr Yeli to the team!
Dr Callan Rauchfuss
Dr Callan joins the Inner North team after gaining broad experience in a variety of hospitals around Australia. He has particular interests in Children's and Family Medicine, Acute and Chronic Illness.
Dr Callan lives locally and we are very excited to have him as part of the Team!
Dr Daniel Geilings
Prior to completing his medical degree at The University of Melbourne, Dr Dan was a trained and practicing Physiotherapist. and went on to become Team Doctor at The Western Bulldogs AFLW. Dan's special interests include Sports and Musculoskeletal Medicine, Paediatric Medicine, Weight Loss, Dietary and Lifestyle Medicine, as well as Mental Health consultations and Family Medicine.
Outside of work Dan and his young family are busy keeping busy in the Inner North with plenty of gardening/cooking/eating (mostly eating) and attempting to be handy at home and in the garden.
Bookings available across our two locations:
BOOK WITH DR DAN AT LYGON STREET
Dr Pascale Papalia
Dr Pascale, now a local Inner North resident, originally hails from Western Australia. Dr Pascale holds a Diploma of Childrens Health for all your expert paediatric requirements, as well as a Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology for top tier Womens Health input. Dr Pascale is an amazingly friendly and knowledgable addition to the team!
Dr Stuart Emmerson
Dr. Stuart Emmerson is a vibrant GP from the Inner North, renowned for his energetic and compassionate approach to patient care. He has special interests in Family Medicine, Men's Health, Skin Cancer Medicine and Chronic Disease Management.
When he's not in clinic, he is to be found restoring vintage steel bicycles, blending precision and artistry, then riding them long distances!
Bookings available across our two locations:
Dr Katy Simpson
Dr Katy has been an inner north resident since 2019 but is originally from Scotland.
She enjoys all aspects of general practice, but has a particular interest in mental health, paediatrics and women’s health. She‘s completed a diploma in Reproductive and Sexual Health and is a GP supervisor at Melbourne University.
Katy spends her spare time making the most of the Australian weather - even Melbourne is an improvement on the Scottish climate. She can be found at weekends running (mostly after her little boy), or on trips down the coast attempting to surf.
Dr Romy Mondschein
Romy is a University of Queensland graduate who has trained in metropolitan and regional centres across Queensland, Victoria, and the Northern Territory. She has experience in various medical and surgical specialties, including Palliative Care, Urology, and Paediatric Medicine, and enjoys managing a broad range of General Practice presentations.
Outside of work, Romy enjoys playing squash, exploring by bicycle, and is always in search of warmer weather.
Dr Geerthy Thayaseelan
Geerthy is a Brunswick East local who grew up in Western Sydney and completed medical school at Griffith University in 2018. He started his internship at Nepean Hospital in NSW and has worked at The Alfred, Sunshine, and Werribee Hospitals in Victoria, specialising in Emergency, Trauma, and Critical Care Medicine, General Medicine, and Paediatrics.
In his spare time, Geerthy enjoys supporting the Sydney Swans, reading at Edinburgh Gardens, and rollerblading.
Our Mental Health Professionals
Ivana Pajkic, Psychologist
Ivana is a fully registered Counselling Psychologist with over 18 years’ experience working with children, adolescents, adults, couples and families. Prior to starting her private practice in 2009, she had worked in tertiary, health, organisational and family-based services. She is currently undergoing Jungian psychoanalytic training.
Ivana works relationally creating a reliable, safe and containing space in each session. Her extensive experience has showed that when the space feels safe it is possible to work through the challenges people bring to therapy. Challenges can come in different forms: strong and intense emotions and thoughts, anxiety, lack of self-esteem/confidence, unhelpful relationship dynamics, separation, grief, loss, trauma, life transitions. Ivana aims to help people recognise what their challenges are, what activates their challenges, how the challenges affect their well-being and their relationships and learn how to change them.
Elke, Psychologist
Elke thrives on supporting individuals through a variety of life transitions, whether they be associated with challenges in relationships (communication difficulties, divorce, recovery from infidelity), adjustments in parenting (infertility, pregnancy, birth trauma, new parenthood) or work-related changes (career transitions, job loss).
She has previously worked with the Perinatal Anxiety and Depression Association (PANDA) and in private practice. Elke's approach is warm, collaborative and reflective. Working from an attachment perspective, she has training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy and Schema Therapy.
BOOK WITH ELKE
Jen, Clinical Psychologist
Jen is a passionate and experienced Clinical Psychologist who has worked in public mental health and in the Alcohol and Other Drug Sector for 17 years.
Jen uses various treatment modalities, including Acceptance and Commitment Therapy and Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, with a Sensorimotor Psychotherapy lens and she has recently been trained in EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitisation and Reprocessing), a targeted trauma treatment.
Jen is able to see adults and young people over the age of 15 years, from all backgrounds, and is sensitive to the needs of those from Indigenous, refugee and CALD backgrounds, as well as those who identify as LGBTIQ+.
Dr Karen, Psychologist
Karen is passionate about assisting clients to develop a greater sense of well-being, self-awareness, and personal agency. Embracing diversity, she has experience working with the complexities of self-identity and the nuances of diverse relationship dynamics. Karen has a considerable experience in working with anxiety related concerns, from social anxiety to complex trauma. With a Doctorate in Health Psychology, she is also has a focus on the interplay between physical and mental health, and has over 15 years of experience working across areas including neurodiversity, substance abuse, chronic illness, chronic pain, pregnancy and postnatal adjustment. Known for her collaborative, proactive and practical approach, as well as her use of quirky analogies, Karen is committed to helping her clients on their journey towards a more fulfilling life.
Our Physiotherapists
Catherine, Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Catherine is a passionate and experienced Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist. She has over 15 years of experience - having worked across a wide variety of physiotherapy areas before gaining postgraduate education to specialise in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy in 2012.
Catherine is enthusiastic about helping all people maximise and maintain good bladder, bowel & sexual health function throughout all stages of their lives and welcomes women, men, trans and non-binary folk - young and old! She is committed to gender-inclusive, evidence-based practice with a trauma-informed approach. One of the aspects of her job that she enjoys most is putting people at ease.
Outside of work, Catherine is pretty busy keeping up with two little kiddos, friends and family and loves getting to the bush or beach!
Catherine is currently available for appointments at Inner North Medical Clinic on Fridays.
Our Orthotist & Prosthetist
Ken, Orthotist & Prosthetist
Graduating with a Masters Degree in Prosthetics and Orthotics from La Trobe University, Ken is a multi-award-winning clinician with experience within both the public and private settings of the field. With a keen interest in ailments that commonly afflict individuals at the community level, Ken is passionate about ensuring the best health outcomes occur for everyone.
Ken is a practitioner certified by the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association (AOPA) and is passionate about collaborating with General Practitioners, Physiotherapists and Podiatrists from the North Melbourne community to achieve the best results for his patients.
Our Dietitian
Catherine
, Dietitian
Catherine holds a Master of Nutrition & Dietetics and a Bachelor of Exercise Science from Griffith University. She is a passionate Dietitian who is on a mission to help people improve their relationship with food and movement by developing balanced and sustainable lifestyle habits.
Catherine enjoys helping everyday people navigate the scientific evidence around the key pillars of health to nourish their bodies and feel their best on a daily basis.
She has over 10 years of experience helping individuals with a variety of issues including gut health, IBS, weight management, pre and post-natal, nutritional deficiencies, specific dietary intakes (vegan, plant-based, anaemia etc.), women's health and chronic disease management.
Our Nurses
Ebony, Practice Nurse
Ebony joins the INMC as a competent and highly trained registered nurse. She brings a caring and compassionate demeanour to every patient interaction and always lights up our days with her positive vibes! Ebony is a total champion.
Chloe, Practice Nurse
Chloe is a lovely and kind nurse, with a caring and friendly approach to providing compassionate care in a medical practice setting. Photo pending!
Our Welcoming Committee!
Christine, Practice Manager
As well as managing our clinic, Chris also works as a celebrant across regional Victoria, Chris loves love and bringing people together on their special day! She also couldn’t be prouder of Dr Shea and Dr Kyle (her sons) for pursuing their dream of opening a practice and devoting their lives to making people healthy and well. Chris is overjoyed to support them and the local community as the Clinic Manager of INMC.
Marita, Practice Manager
Marita is arguably one of the greatest people ever and an integral part of the practice management team. Marita trained as a Midwife, working at the Royal Womens Hospital for over a decade as the worlds greatest midwife. Marita believes intrinsically in providing holistic patient focused care, and has a passion for optimizing health care accessibility and outcomes. Her partner, Adam, has more weekend Bunnings emergencies than anybody else on the planet.
Siobhan, Reception Manager
Scarlett,
Medical Receptionist
Miles, Medical Receptionist
Pippa, Medical Receptionist
Jewelia, Medical Receptionist
Linda, Medical Receptionist
Olivia, Medical Receptionist
Iola, Medical Receptionist
Tim, Medical Receptionist
Emma, Medical Receptionist
Ned, Medical Receptionist
Eilish, Medical Receptionist
Annie, Medical Receptionist
Phoebe, Medical Receptionist
Ruby, Medical Receptionist
John Wilcox, Clinic Handyman, Bookkeeper, Plantkeeper etc…
Johnsy has had a long and illustrious career in multiple roles. Initially training as an accountant before leaving the rat race for a different rat race, he started a nursery in the 70s and built a mud brick house in the country (which is still standing). With a logical mind for numbers and procedures, along with the country mindset of ‘anybody can do anything’, he has been instrumental in creating, building and maintaining all aspects of INMC.
Aidan, Clinic IT Wiz
Aidan can IT the bajeezes out of anything its actually quite amazing and very impressive. Highly recommend.