Gut Health in Sydney

Dr. Bree Wright is a General Practitioner with interests in women‚'s health, children‚'s health, antenatal shared care, sexual and reproductive health, iron infusions, and youth health. She offers Medicare rebateable telehealth appointments to existing patients. Dr. Wright practices at Cockburn Medical Centre 5.

Dr. Elizabeth Harris brings two decades of experience in general practice, augmented by additional qualifications in complementary health and functional medicine. Her career has been marked by a profound commitment to emergency medicine and rural healthcare, with stints in small communities across New Zealand and the Australian Outback. Over the last decade, she has immersed herself in the emerging field of brainwave biofeedback, leveraging cutting-edge medical EEG recording technology to conduct brain mapping and train brain waves. This innovative approach targets conditions such as ADHD, depression, anxiety, and traumatic brain injury. In 2017, Dr. Harris achieved the distinction of becoming the first New Zealand Board Certified Neurotherapist. More recently, she inaugurated the country's inaugural private clinic offering LORETA neurotherapy. Driven by a keen interest in Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Fibromyalgia, Posttraumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), and chronic unexplained illnesses, she continues to push the boundaries of neurological care.

Dr. Charlotte Hespe is a General Practitioner (GP) with a focus on patient-centred care. She has been practicing at the Glebe Family Medical Centre since 1996. Dr. Hespe is actively engaged in medical education and research, heading Primary Care Research for the University of Notre Dame, Australia. Her current PhD research focuses on reducing cardiovascular disease through evidence-based quality improvement tools in real-world general practice. She is also involved in various leadership roles within the medical community 2.

Dr Blunt is an anaesthetist in private practice in Brisbane. She has a special interest in hypnosis as an adjunct to anaesthesia, analgesia, and enhanced surgical recovery. She provides health coaching and hypnotherapy for medical trauma, phobias, weight loss, addiction, complex medical conditions and chronic pain. In particular she uses The Richards Trauma Process to relieve PTSD.

Dr Anoop Jalota has been with WAMC since March 2011. Since moving to Wollongong from New Zealand he has cemented his ability in our community. His special interests are undertaking emergency procedures, helping patients to quit smoking and with weight management. Anoop is currently a cluster leader for Central Illawarra and has a passion for continued learning and mentoring.

Martine Barclay is a psychotherapist, counsellor, and coach specialising in sleep, anxiety, and career development. With a focus on natural approaches, she helps individuals manage stress, improve sleep, and enhance overall well-being. Martine‚'s expertise includes Buteyko breathing, mindfulness, and mental health support. She aims to empower clients to lead healthier lives and strengthen relationships with friends, family, and colleagues5.

Linda Cloete holds Bachelor and Master of Science degrees in nursing. Before coming to Australia, she taught nursing part-time at the University of Witwatersrand, South Africa. Recently, she has been a clinical nurse specialist at the Sydney Adventist Hospital.

Dr. Ellie O‚'Connor completed her Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery after a Biomedical Science degree. She has experience in adult internal medicine, obstetrics/gynaecology, and holds qualifications in women‚'s health and paediatrics. Ellie specialises in antenatal care, gynaecology, chronic disease management, and lifestyle medicine.

Sarah is a Registered Nurse with more than 30 yrs experience spending the last 13 yrs in General Practice where I became aware of the huge impact of Chronic Health issues such as heart disease and diabetes not only in adults but also more recently in children. This led me to want to improve my knowledge in Lifestyle Medicine so I studied with Australian Society of Lifestyle Medicine and became a Fellow in July 2019.

Dr. Suzanne Deed is a general medical practitioner passionate about community health. She is committed to protecting the natural environment and responding to the climate crisis. Dr. Deed has a particular interest in functional neurology and the pain/stress relationship. She enjoys providing personalized care to patients of all ages and activity levels23.

Dr. Hamish Meldrum is a co-founding owner of the Ochre Health Group. Originally from New Zealand, he has extensive experience in general practice, emergency medicine, and obstetrics. Dr. Meldrum worked as a GP obstetrician in the Outback town of Bourke in New South Wales for five years. His passion lies in rural general practice, and he continues to make a difference in both rural and urban communities through his clinical work.

Dr. Cherelle Fitzclarence is a General Practitioner (GP) based in Australia. She has worked primarily as a rural generalist, gaining extensive experience in remote medicine. Dr. Fitzclarence‚'s commitment to lifelong learning and skill development has allowed her to provide comprehensive care in diverse settings. She is passionate about rural health and has been based in Karratha since 2017 5.

Dr. Gavin Levy is a medical doctor, physiotherapist, and musculoskeletal anatomy lecturer. He completed his physiotherapy degree at the University of Sydney and later studied medicine at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Levy is passionate about lifestyle interventions for preventing and treating various health conditions. He focuses on improving patients‚' health and quality of life through evidence-based approaches5.

Dr. Victoria Price has worked as a clinical lecturer at the University of Otago Medical School and as a General Practitioner at the University of Canterbury Health Centre. In May 2021, she was made a Fellow of The Royal New Zealand College of General Practitioners. She is also a member of the Australasian Menopause Society2.

Dr. Ilana Fisher is a compassionate dentist who collaborates with patients to maintain and improve their health. She has diverse experience in different dental environments and holds degrees from the University of Sydney. Dr. Fisher enjoys outdoor activities and spending time with her family.

I was raised in Regional Queensland where I now live and work as a GP supervisor and Practice owner, Breast Physician and Director of UQRCS in Bundaberg. I graduated with First Class Honours in Medicine at UQ many moons ago. With my learning being deficient in Nutrition and its application to good health along with the obesity epidemic unfolding in front of us, I obtained a Grad Dip in Human Nutrition Deakin and by Distance) also many moons ago. Along the way, I have received a Master‚'s in Family Medicine and Fellowships to the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners; Australasian Society of Breast Physicians and now Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine as well as postgraduate qualifications in Health Professional Education and Ultrasound. Living and working in a socio-economically challenged community, I see the importance and yet the huge challenge of facilitating opportunities to improve health without the current emphasis on technology, buildings and pharmaceuticals as the beacons of healthcare.

Anji embarked on her journey in healthcare upon graduating from the University of Queensland in 2005 with a Bachelor of Pharmacy. With a focus on Community Pharmacy, she dedicated herself to serving her community's health needs. In 2007, Anji expanded her expertise by becoming credentialed to conduct Home Medicines Reviews, a role she embraced with dedication, conducting several hundred reviews over the years.

Dr. Kingsley Okolie obtained his medical degree from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria and has a Master‚'s degree in Diabetes and Endocrinology from Queen Mary University, London. He has extensive experience working in Nigeria, the West Indies, and Australia. Dr. Okolie‚'s areas of interest include diabetes, endocrine disorders, obesity, and lifestyle medicine.

Dr. Peter Zimmermann is passionate about general practice and practices slow medicine, which involves spending more time with patients to provide better quality care. He has served in the Australian Army for over 20 years and has a special interest in Veteran's Health, lifestyle medicine, Women's Health, Occupational Medicine, and Military Medicine.

Dr. Thileepan Naren is a GP and Addiction Medicine Specialist. His interests include Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health, chronic disease management, and drug and alcohol management. Dr. Naren can prescribe medications for opioid dependency, alcohol dependency, HIV, and Hepatitis B and C. He holds fellowships from various medical colleges and is committed to improving health outcomes for diverse communities

Dr. Vanessa Wong is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She grew up and completed her education in Australia, obtaining her medical degree at Griffith University. Dr. Wong is committed to educating patients and empowering them to maintain their health through healthy lifestyles. Her interests include chronic disease management, children‚'s health, and women‚'s health 3.

Dr Damian Flanagan has been a GP for the past 20 years. His areas of special interest include, but are not limited to, chronic disease management, palliative care and optimising general health of the community.

Dr Ron is one of Australia‚'s leading holistic health advocates, with over 40 years of clinical practice he has developed a holistic approach to health and wellness, as well as a comprehensive model of how stress impacts on our lives. In 1983 Dr Ron co-founded the Sydney Holistic Dental Centre, one of Australia‚'s leading dental practices which for over 40 years has championed a holistic health model and the many oral health/systemic health links. In 1998, Dr Ron gained his Fellowship in Nutritional and Environmental Medicine (FACNEM). He is the Immediate Past President of the Australian College of Nutritional & Environmental Medicine (ACNEM) and was honoured in 2022 to receive a Life Membership. In 2007 he co-founded Nourishing Australia, a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to informing, educating and inspiring people about the critical importance of healthy soils, nutrient-dense foods and regenerative agriculture. Bringing together principles of holistic healthcare and holistic farm management for the health of animals, people, communities and ultimately, our planet. Regenerative agriculture remains a passion. In 2013 he attained Level 1 Coaching (CIECL) from the Institute of Executive Coaching & Leadership . He is also a qualified Integrative Breathing Therapist, Health Coach & Mental Fitness Trainer and Member of Health Coaches of Australia & New Zealand (HCANZA). His 2018 book A Life Less Stressed: the 5 pillars of health & wellness has been published internationally. His weekly podcast Unstress Health with Dr Ron Ehrlich explores and expands on themes of his book, with world leaders in all areas of health, the environment and regenerative agriculture. In 2019 he was awarded a Fellowship in Lifestyle Medicine (FASLM). In 2023 he launched the Unstress Health focusing on individual & workplace wellbeing with a mission to transform global health. Dr Ron‚'s mission is to transform global health and empower individuals to fulfil their potential, take control of their health and build resilience to be the best you can be.

Keshinie completed her Medical degree with Honours at Monash University in 2013. She spent her resident years at The Alfred and then commenced General Practice Training. While obtaining her Fellowship in General Practice, Keshinie also undertook the Diploma of Child Health with The Sydney Childrenís Hospital Network, and the Certificate of Womenís Health with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists. Keshinie enjoys all aspects of General Practice but has developed a special interest in weight management. She is SCOPE certified and has completed further training in Lifestyle Medicine to provide comprehensive advice and enjoys supporting patients on their individualised journey to achieve and maintain weight loss. Keshinie also has a special interest in mental health and understands the effect it can have on all aspects of wellbeing. She is passionate about promoting good mental health in all patients, as a form of preventive care, as well as managing emerging mental health conditions. She has studied this area further and is a registered provider of Focused Psychological Strategies which allows her to implement Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) with patients. In her spare time (not that she has a lot with two kids!) she enjoys spending time with her friends and family, watching sport and embroidery.