PHYSICIAN
Dr Mirza Abdullah Baig obtained his medical degree from the University of Melbourne in 2009 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2018. He is an experienced General Physician who can manage a variety of medical conditions. He has a public appointment at West Gippsland Health, Warragul and sees patients privately at St John of God Berwick Hospital.
Dr Baig has a special interest in rheumatology and is happy to review patients with undifferentiated joint pains, fatigue or auto-immune symptoms.
Dr Baig will also accept referrals for chronic conditions related to cardiac, diabetic or respiratory illnesses and perioperative medicine. He can be contacted directly if a private admission at St John of God Berwick Hospital is required.
GENERAL SURGEON
MBBS(Hons), BMedSc(Hons), GDipSurgAnat, MS, MD, DABOM, FASMBS, FRACS
Dr. Beitner is a specialist general surgeon with subspecialty training in bariatric and minimally invasive gastrointestinal surgery. She is the founder and director of 360 SURGERY, leading an expert multidisciplinary team dedicated to comprehensive weight management.
Dr. Beitner is a certified general surgeon by the American Board of Surgery and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. She is also a Fellow of the American Society for Metabolic & Bariatric Surgery and Diplomate of the American Board of Obesity Medicine.
www.360surgery.com.au
Special interests:
• bariatric surgery
• intragastric balloon
• comprehensive obesity management
• general surgery
• hiatus hernia
• antireflux surgery
• gallbladder surgery
• hernia surgery
• gastroscopy
• general surgery
Orthopaedic Surgeon
Mr de Villiers’ has a private practice at Warragul Specialist Centre. He does not charge any gap fees and cost of surgeries are covered by medical insurance.
Having qualified as Orthopaedic Surgeon in three countries, including the United Kingdom and Australia, he holds 3 Orthopaedic Fellowships and a Master Degree in Orthopaedic Surgery. Since starting in Private practice in 1994 he has performed several thousand Knee, Hip and Shoulder including MAKO robotic surgery.
Clinic appointments are available in Berwick at St John of God consulting suites and in Warragul at the Warragul Specialist centre.
Appointments and referrals can be made:
• Westgippslandorthopaedics.com.au
• Telephone (03)56230810
• Fax (03) 56230823
• Email orthopaedics@wghg.com.au
Areas of expertise
• Replacement and reconstructive surgery including sport injuries on shoulder, knee, and hips.
ENT Surgeon
Mr Vibhuti Mahanta is an ENT, Head and Neck Surgeon with Peninsula Health and runs a private practice based in Frankston. He offers operating theatre bookings at Peninsula Private Hospital and West Gippsland Healthcare Group.
Mr Mahanta performs the following procedures:
Ear Surgery (Ear drum repair, chronic ear infection, Otosclerosis, surfer’s ear etc.)
Head Neck Surgery (Thyroid gland, Salivary glands, Neck mass, Head and Neck cancer)
Nose and Sinus surgery (Rhinoplasty, deviated nasal septum, chronic sinus infections, nasal polyps)
Paediatric ENT (Tonsils, adenoids, grommets etc.) Snoring and sleep Apnoea (assessment and surgery)
He gained dual ENT fellowship from both Australia and India. He undertook a further 12 months of advanced postgraduate training as a Head and Neck Cancer fellow at Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne. He has worked as a consultant ENT Surgeon in Cairns and Far North Queensland region where he furthered his clinical and surgical experience across a range of routine and complex Otological, Head and Neck, Nose and Paranasal sinus pathologies.
Mr Vibhuti Mahanta will be consulting at Warragul Specialist Centre once a month on a Monday. Please call (03) 5642 6666 to arrange appointments
Interventional Cardiologist
Dr James Sapontis is a General and Interventional Cardiologist who enjoys seeing patients with a multitude of heart conditions, including those with coronary artery disease. He completed his specialist training at internationally recognised institutions in both the United Kingdom and the United States and is recognised as a leader in his field.
He is abreast of current guidelines and treatment options relating to a wide variety of general cardiac issues, as well as more complex cardiovascular disease and prevention. As the current Director of Cardiology at St John of God hospital he aims to provide an integrated and personalised approach to all patient care which is delivered in a friendly and approachable manner.
Dr James Sapontis will be consulting at Warragul Specialist Centre once a week on a Friday. Please call 1300 227 342 (1300 CARDIAC) to arrange appointments
Specialist Radiation Oncologist
Dr Rajendra Hegde is a Specialist Radiation Oncologist with Alfred Health Radiation Oncology. He is based at Gippsland Radiation Oncology which is located within the Gippsland Cancer Care Centre at Latrobe Regional Hospital (3 days per week) and Alfred Radiation Oncology, located at the Alfred Hospital in Prahran (2 days per week). He has been with Alfred Health Radiation Oncology since 2008.
Dr Hegde commenced Radiation Oncology training in India, serving in the premier cancer Institute Tata Memorial Hospital in Mumbai before Migrating to New Zealand in the year 2002. Following this he has had three years of training at the Waikato Hospital, Hamilton as well Auckland Hospital, New Zealand before passing his FRANZCR exams in the year 2005.
He has subspecialty interests in Thoracic, Genito urinary and Non-melanoma skin cancer. He helped to establish the Thoracic Oncology Multi-disciplinary meeting in 2012 and stereotactic body radiation therapy treatment for early-stage lung cancer in 2014 at Gippsland Radiation Oncology. He has extensive experience in treating wide varieties of Non- Melanoma skin Cancer, with specialised treatment units located at both Gippsland Radiation Oncology and Alfred Radiation Oncology.
All referrals to be faxed to (03) 5173 8473
Psychiatrist
We are a telehealth psychiatric service, dedicated to delivering high-quality psychiatric care in a timely and effective way. Our passion lies in providing support, guidance and treatment options to members of the community at some of the most vulnerable moments of their lives. We believe in collaborating closely with GPs in order to obtain the best outcome for our patients. Our telehealth platform is an excellent solution for our GP colleagues, who often manage very complex psychiatric issues in their patients without a great deal of support.
Send referrals to:
info@mindatpeace.com.au
practicemanager@mindatpeace.com.au
Fax: 03 9102 9799
www.mindatpeace.com.au
Address: PO Box 98, Yarraville, VIC 3103
Dr Hugo Fernandes is a consultant gynaecologist and fertility specialist known for his caring and easy-going clinical manner. He completed his O&G training at Monash Health before undertaking a 2-year Advanced Laparoscopic Surgical Fellowship at the Royal Women’s Hospital in Melbourne. He also holds a Masters in Reproductive Medicine. Hugo has public appointments on the Advanced Endosurgical Units at Monash Health and The Royal Women’s Hospital. He offers specialist care from Epworth Richmond, Coburg and Clayton. He regularly attends sessions in Warragul and Mildura and is passionate about providing women living in regional and rural Victoria with access to advanced gynaecological surgery and quality fertility care.
He is an active member of AGES, the peak gynaecological and surgical body in Australasia. He is regularly invited to speak at AGES scientific meetings and is also involved in training new fellows. He is very proud to have been one of the first of three doctors in Australia to be accredited as an ‘AGES Advanced Surgical Fellow’, making him one of only a handful of gynaecologists in Australasia certified to operate at the very highest level of surgical difficulty.
Hugo is particularly proficient in and enjoys using minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques to help manage conditions such as fibroids, endometriosis and pelvic masses. These can affect a woman’s ability to conceive and Hugo is often referred patients by other O&G specialists for surgery: “I enjoy the complexity and challenge of keyhole surgery, and am still in awe at how quickly patients recover.”
Hugo is known for his relaxed, patient-focused consultations and thoroughly enjoys interacting with and helping couples to become parents: “My partner and I had our own unique struggles in becoming parents, but we now have four girls whom we adore. I get the challenges, the frustration and the tears of trying for a family. Being able to help others achieve their own family is what gets me up in the morning … Well that and four girls wanting breakfast!”
Known for his penchant for 80s love songs and pop while operating (“There is no surgery that isn’t made better with a good 80s mix!”), Hugo also confesses to being a ‘plane nut’ with a love for all things aviation. When he’s not travelling around the world in winged machines, he can be found enjoying a good shiraz, a good coffee or a good dessert (preferably all three!).
A/Prof Alistair Wright trained in Respiratory and Critical Care Medicine in Melbourne in the late 1990s before moving to Gippsland in 2000.
Currently he is the head of internal medicine at Latrobe Regional Hospital and clinical dean of Monash Medicine at LRH.
Being a farmer in Buln Buln, he is looking forward to providing patients of West Gippsland, respiratory care close to where they live by visiting the Warragul specialist centre every second Monday afternoon.
Having worked in Gippsland for 20 years Alistair is also experienced in cardiology and stroke medicine. Please note that he is not a sleep physician.
Please fax referrals to his Traralgon rooms. Fax no: 5173 8097.
Dr Manjeet is a Gastroenterologist and Hepatologist with a PhD in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
She has had extensive training in all areas of gastroenterology and her focus encompasses IBD, Iron deficiency, GORD, bowel cancer screening, liver disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
Dr Manjeet consults from Warragul, Pakenham, Cranbourne and Patterson Lakes. Endoscopy is performed at St John of God, Mulgrave and Chelsea and patients also have the option of having their procedure performed at Monash Health where Dr Manjeet holds a public appointment.
Dr Manjeet is happy to be contacted directly for advice, sees all patients within 2 weeks for initial consultation and has no gap and minimal wait times for endoscopy. Bulk-billed direct access endoscopy is available as is Fibroscan.
Dr Manjeet currently consults one Tuesday a month in Warragul. For enquiries please call (03) 7023 0230. Fax referrals to (03) 9102 9774 or email admin@gastrospecialistcare.com.au
Mr Joseph Gunn is a Specialist Oral & Maxillofacial surgeon with degrees in both medicine and dentistry, and extensive further clinical training in surgery. He enjoys all aspects of his chosen specialty and is dedicated to providing excellent care to his patients.
Mr Gunn enjoys practicing the full scope of Oral & Maxillofacial surgery. This includes dentoalveolar surgery (removal of teeth, including wisdom teeth, placement of implants and bone grafts) and management of patients with facial trauma, as well as treating pathology of the mouth and jaws. He is particularly passionate about corrective jaw surgery for patients with the wide range of conditions that benefit from orthognathic surgery.
He is the Head of Maxillofacial Surgery at StVincents’ Hospital in Melbourne and holds appointments at the Royal Melbourne Hospital and the Austin Hospital. In addition Mr Gunn has a private practice based in Melbourne and offering a number of consulting locations. He is involved in the supervision and training of surgical trainees, and medical and dental students. Mr Gunn is a member of both the International and Australian Associations of Oral & Maxillofacial surgeons, and of the Australian Dental Association.
Joseph Gunn’s Oral & Maxillofacial surgical training began with the completion of his Medical degree in 1999. He went on to complete Basic Surgical Training through the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and enter Advanced Training in General Surgery. He obtained valuable experience as a surgical registrar in a number of surgical disciplines. These included Trauma, Vascular, Cardiothoracic, and Plastic surgery. He subsequently completed his dental degree, graduating with honors, from the University of Melbourne. This was followed by Specialist Oral and Maxillofacial surgery training involving positions in major hospitals throughout Victoria and Tasmania, to successfully complete his Fellowship in Oral & Maxillofacial Surgery.
After a brief period as a Consultant surgeon in Melbourne, Joseph secured a position as a Clinical Fellow and travelled to the UK to complete 12 months at the Oxford University Hospitals. During this time he gained further experience, particularly in the fields of corrective jaw surgery for facial deformity, including cleft lip and palate, Head & Neck oncology and surgery of the temporomandibular joint (TMJ).
Outside of surgery Joseph is a keen alpine skier and enjoys mountain biking, following the varied fortunes of the Western Bulldogs in the AFL and spending time with his young family.
Procedural Phlebologist (Specialized treatment of Varicose Veins)
MBBS FACP CCPU (LEVU)
Dr Param initially worked for over a decade in the field of Emergency and Rural Medicine. He worked extensively in acute and general medicine in Western Australia, Queensland, Northern Territory and Victoria. During his time working with very sick patients, he gained an interest in chronic disease conditions and instituting an integrative or holistic approach to treating his patients. He did further training in USA with the Institute of Functional Medicine as well as the Australasian College of Nutritional Medicine. Whilst working with many of his patients, he noticed many of his patients suffering with chronic venous disease and varicose veins.
He then further specialized in the field of Phelbology (Specialized field of Vein Disease), which involves minimally invasive treatments offering excellent outcomes and no down time for patients. Dr Param has dedicated his practice to improving the well being of his patients suffering with Chronic Vein Disease.
Dr Param consults at Warragul Specialist Centre Mondays fortnightly. Referrals need to be faxed to:
Doctor Vein, 7 Winifred Street, Frankston, 3199 - 03 9923 6422
Dr Ali Kian Mehr is a fellow of Australasian Faculty of Rehabilitation Medicine (AFRM) who has long-term experience in management of pain, particularly musculoskeletal pain, and nerve conduction studies. He finished his doctorate of medicine in 1996 and his speciality in physical medicine and rehabilitation in 2002.
After 6 years’ experience in management of musculoskeletal pain, he has been qualified as a fellow of AFRM in 2014. Currently he is a pain fellow with the Faculty of Pain Medicine.
Dr Ali Kian Mehr prides himself on an excellent bedside manner, thorough clinical approach, high level of technical expertise, and strong communication with referring practitioners.
He provides the highest standard of assessment and treatment with an emphasis on accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategies using a multidisciplinary approach.
Dr Weekes is an extensively trained Pain Specialist and Anaesthetist. He holds special interest in the area of chronic spinal pain, neuropathic pain, complex regional pain syndrome and neuromodulation.
His chronic pain training has involved residencies and fellowships in multiple specialist pain centres in Europe and Australia. He holds three pain fellowship exams obtained from Australia, Europe and USA. Dr Weekes has also published several scientific articles in his specialist area and has presented his research internationally.
Dr Weekes has been awarded multiple clinical and research prizes in the field of Anaesthesia and Pain Medicine. He has been actively involved in the training of post graduate doctors in preparation for fellowship examinations.
He provides the highest standard of assessment and treatment with an emphasis on accurate diagnosis and appropriate treatment strategies using a multidisciplinary approach.
Jonathan Robin is a Melbourne-based, Fellowship-trained Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon who has a sub-specialist interest in treating patello-femoral instability, knee ligament instability, and degenerative conditions of the knee and hip.
After completing an undergraduate medical degree (MBBS with Honours) at Monash University in 2001, Jonathan completed his Basic Surgical Training and commenced Fellowship training in Orthopaedic Surgery in 2008. During this time he also completed a Postgraduate Doctorate and Thesis through the University of Melbourne and the Orthopaedic Department at Royal Childrens Hospital Melbourne under the supervision of Professor H Kerr Graham, a world expert in Paediatric Orthopaedics. He graduated with a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) in 2009.
Jonathan completed his Fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery in 2011 and held Consultant positions at both Western Health and Eastern Health in 2012. From December 2012 to November 2014, Jonathan traveled abroad and completed two highly regarded European Knee Fellowships.
In 2013, Jonathan worked at the prestigious Avon Orthopaedic Centre in Bristol, United Kingdom mentored by Mr Andrew Porteous and Mr Jonathan Eldridge. Jonathan gained invaluable knowledge and skill in dealing with patello-femoral instability and arthritis with Mr Eldridge who is considered to be a global leader and authority in this sub-specialty. Jonathan also gathered significant further experience in primary and revision knee and hip replacement, primary and revision knee ligament reconstruction and periarticular knee osteotomy.
In 2014 Jonathan gained further expertise in another internationally acclaimed knee surgery centre. Mentored by Professeur Philippe Neyret, Jonathan spent six months in Lyon, France at the Centre Albert Trillat in l’ Hôpital de la Croix-Rousse. Attention was focused on French techniques in knee and hip replacement, knee osteotomy and ligament reconstruction. In addition, there was a special interest taken in robotic knee surgery, using state-of-the-art technology. Jonathan was involved in many research projects and completed book chapters and peer-reviewed journal papers as an invited surgeon from many of Europe’s leading knee surgeons.
Jonathan has published in multiple peer-reviewed journals and has presented at conferences nationally and internationally. He is on the review panel for Developmental Medicine and Child Neurology and EFORT Open Reviews and is a member of the Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA), Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), European Society of Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery & Arthroscopy (ESSKA) and International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Orthopaedic Sports Medicine (ISAKOS). Jonathan has a public hospital appointment as a consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon at Box Hill Hospital where he enjoys teaching orthopaedic registrars, medical students and is involved in ongoing orthopaedic research.
Dr Robin is available at Warragul Specialist Centre on Fridays fortnightly.
Dr Paul Huang is a Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Physician who graduated from The University of Melbourne. He also completed a Bachelor of Medical Science in Asthma, and undertook his Specialist Training at Monash Health and Box Hill Hospital. He has helped to establish a new pleural and ventilation service at Eastern Health. He holds a Public Specialist appointment at Box Hill and Maroondah Hospitals, and is also an adjunct lecturer with Monash University through his appointment with the Eastern Clinical Research Unit. He has presented, and been a prize winner and section finalist at national conferences including The Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand, and Australasian Sleep Association.
He has clinical interests in the management of both Respiratory and Sleep disorders including obstructive sleep apnoea, snoring, excessive tiredness, insomnia, asthma, COPD, lung masses, and cough. He has expertise in bronchoscopy, advanced ventilation and pleural disease. He is able to arrange sleep studies through his affiliations with both public and private sleep facilities.
Dr Paul Huang has appointments once a month on a Monday from Warragul Specialist Centre in Warragul and his appointments go for 15 minutes and new patients are 30 minute consultations.
Dr Huang also does appointments by Telehealth by appointment only.
Dr Stephen Ah-Kion is a General Physician with interest in Diabetes and Endocrinology. He has been working with Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon as a Consultant Physician since August 2010. He is currently practising at Warragul Specialist Centre on Thursday afternoons, aiming to offer a service for patients with Diabetes and Endocrine disorders in Gippsland. Dr Ah-Kion graduated from Trinity College Dublin in Ireland and trained in General Medicine, Diabetes and Endocrinology at St James’ and Mater Misericordiae in Dublin. He has been practising for more than 20 years and has published a number of papers on diabetes and endocrinology. He is also currently involved in teaching junior medical staff, as well as medical students, at Monash University School of Rural Health, Traralgon. Dr Ah-kion is fluent in French, Creole, minimal Chinese Hakka and English.
A/Prof Soumya Basu is a Child and Adolescent Psychiatrist.
A/Prof Basu consults twice weekly and one Saturday a month with Warragul Specialist Centre.
Fees and appointment process are advised once your referral has been received.
A/Prof Basu aims to cater to the mental health issues in the youth and adolescent population in the Gippsland area. He is well acknowledged in Gippsland for his expertise in Youth and Adolescent Psychiatry. Dr Basu has trained in both India and Australia and has more than 16 years of experience in Psychiatry.
After doing a Diploma in Psychological Medicine (DPM) and MD in Psychiatry in India, he came to Australia and gained his Fellowship with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists. He has trained to become a Faculty Member of the Child and Adolescent branch of this college. Dr Basu is a Senior Lecturer of the Department of Psychological Medicine at Monash University and has keen research interests in Youth Mental Health, Early Intervention, Developmental Trauma, Developmental Disabilities including Autism and Early Psychosis. Several of his research papers have been presented in National and International conferences.
A/Prof Basu is fluent in Bengali, Hindi, Urdu, Nepali and and English.
Dr Michael Farber is a Geriatrician and General Physician who received his specialist training in Melbourne (2007 – 2010), including a Geriatrics Fellowship at Monash Health. He obtained his MBBS at Monash University in 2001. He has a public appointment at Northern Hospital as well as having a private clinic at Warragul Specialist Centre Warragul. His areas of interest include cognitive function, dementia and BPSD management, falls and mobility, osteoporosis, capacity assessment, continence and general medicine. He is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Society for Geriatric Medicine. Dr Farber consults patients on Tuesday afternoons and one Saturday a month at Warragul Specialist Centre Warragul. He also does nursing home and home visits. Dr Farber is fluent in Russian and English.