Our Clinic
Our Clinic
Allied Health
Dr Deepti Bhatt
(General Practitioner)
Dr Bhatt is from the UK and completed her medical degree at Cardiff University in 2013. She gained valuable experience working across a range of hospital specialties including medical and surgical disciplines, mental health, obstetrics and gynaecology, and paediatric fields, before pursuing a career in general practice. She practiced in London for several years before deciding to make the move to Australia. She is a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and has completed an additional diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology.
She enjoys all aspects of general practice consulting, with clinical interests including preventative health and chronic disease management, mental health, paediatrics, and women’s health.
Dr Bhatt enjoys meeting new patients and providing continuity of care to existing patients. She has a friendly and caring approach and strives to deliver best care.
Outside of work she loves exploring the varied food scene, swimming, and long walks in the sun discovering local sights.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday
Dr Deepak Sidhu
(General Practitioner)
Dr. Deepak Sidhu originally hails from Penang, Malaysia, an island in the sun laden with culinary delights and charm. He grew up there with lots of fonds memories of the tropics and always had an avid interest in health and wanting to understand more about the human body. He attended Monash University for his MBBS, and then sequentially started his medical career here in Australia spanning over a decade. He has worked in hospitals across Tasmania, Victoria and NSW, and found his passion in General Practice where he became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2023.
He has a keen interest in all areas across the breadth of General Practice and is comfortable dealing with the complexities and intricacies that can be faced with diagnostic dilemmas across all ages, genders, sexualities and psychosocial circumstances. He maintains open communication and ensures a safe space for his patients to do this. Child and adolescent health, men’s health and LGBTQIA+ health are some of the areas he excels in but welcomes all patients. He strives to integrate the art of listening to a patient and the science of medicine to ensure the best possible outcome.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Dr Abhishek Mallik
(General Practitioner)
Abhishek is from the UK and graduated from the University of Leeds. He then worked across hospitals in the UK and also in Sydney before completing his GP training in 2017.
He has been working in Melbourne since 2018 and his clinical interests include mental health, chronic disease management and men’s health.
Outside of work, he enjoys live music, travel and following the India cricket team whenever they’re in Australia.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Wednesday and Thursday
Dr Rachel Forth
(General Practitioner)
Dr Rachel Forth graduated from the University of Manchester in the UK back in 2009. Prior to moving to Australia 3 years ago, Dr Forth worked as a media doctor, a GP and also in ED departments in the UK. Upon arrival in Australia, she gained her fellowship to the RACGP and went on to further study weight management.
Dr Forth will only doing phone or video consults
She is passionate about equality and provides care in an open and friendly manner.
Outside of work Dr Forth enjoys playing soccer, cycling and live music.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Wednesday, and Friday
Dr Ben Ooi
(Medical Director)
After graduating from the University of Malaya, Dr Ben Ooi undertook his residency in Singapore and is a qualified Family Medicine practitioner. His residency programme covered a gamut of specialities including Paediatrics, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Internal Medicine, and Dermatology.
Dr Ben Ooi has also gained his Master of Medicine in Internal Medicine and Master of Medicine in Family Medicine from National University of Singapore in 2016 and 2017. He has been practicing as a General Practitioner in Singapore from 2014 to 2019.
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Malay, Hokkien and Cantonese
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday
Dr Lisa Chang
(General Practitioner)
Lisa graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Queensland in 1999. She subsequently completed her General Practice training and obtained a fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2006. Following an interstate move from Queensland, she has worked locally as a GP in Melbourne since 2007, and she enjoys providing genuine care and preventive health to all her patients.
She holds a special interest in Women’s Health, and Sexual and Reproductive Health, having undergone further training with Sexual Health Victoria (formerly Family Planning Victoria).
Lisa keeps active at the local gym and through bushwalking. When she is not being a busy mum, she is immersed in her favourite magazine over a cup of tea/coffee, or indulging in creative pursuits at home.
Availability at Medical Hub: Friday
Dr Mabel Leung
(General Practitioner)
Dr Mabel Leung completed her undergraduate medical training through University of Melbourne, graduating in 2012. As an intern and then a resident doctor, she worked at Ballarat Health Services undertaking various roles in emergency medicine, obstetrics and gynaecology, psychiatry, general medicine, endocrinology, general and vascular surgery, and paediatrics. Her interest in the overall health and wellbeing of her patients led her to General Practice. Dr Mabel became a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in February 2017.
Dr Mabel enjoys learning and is always further improving her skills. She completed a Diploma in Child health in 2015 and has plans to complete further mental health skills training such as Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction this year. She is passionate about working together with patients and families to optimise their health so they can reach their full potential at whatever life stage.
Her interests are women’s and children’s health, mental health, chronic disease management, nutrition & preventative care. Dr Mabel is trained in Implanon insertion and removal and is currently training to do clinic-based iron infusions. She is hoping to advance her skills in dermatology and skin lesion removals, and perhaps acupuncture one day! She enjoys all aspects of General Practice and looks forward to meeting you.
Languages spoken: English, Cantonese
Availability at Medical Hub: Tuesday
Dr Melanie Hill
(General Practitioner)
Dr Hill graduated from University College London Medical School in 2001. Following this she went on to work in hospital medicine in the UK, rotating through various medical specialities and gained Membership of the Royal College of Physicians in 2005. She then underwent GP training and gained Membership of the Royal College of General Practitioners, working as a GP in Bristol, UK until 2010.
In 2010 she and her husband set off for an Australian adventure, and they now call Melbourne home. Dr Hill enjoys all aspects of family medicine, especially women’s health and sexual health. She believes in continuity of care and works towards empowering her patients to understand more about their health issues. She aims to put her patients at ease during their consultations and appreciates that a problem shared is often a problem halved.
Outside of work she has a young son who keeps her on her toes. Being a working Mum, she appreciates the difficulties of juggling being a Mum with work life. She is also always on the hunt for a good coffee!
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Dr Michael Barrett
(General Practitioner)
Michael trained in Manchester in the United Kingdom before moving to Australia in 2014 where he has undertaken placements in sexual health, emergency medicine, paediatrics, palliative care, and forensic medicine.
Michael is a prescriber of PrEP and an accredited HIV S100 prescriber, having recently completed further training at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre. He has a diploma in palliative medicine and a particular interest in sexual health, LGBTQIA+ health, gender-affirming care, men’s health, skin conditions/removal of lesions, preventative care and chronic disease management but is happy to manage all aspects of general practice.
Michael is originally from Northern Ireland but now lives in Melbourne with his partner and their cat, Archie.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday
Dr Peggy Wong
(General Practitioner)
Dr Peggy Wong returned home to Melbourne in 2019 after working as a GP for over 10 years in Queensland. After graduating from the University of Melbourne (2003), she worked at Eastern health hospitals and developed a strong interest in sexual health, completing s100 HIV training at Carlton clinic as part of her General Practice Fellowship (2007).
Once becoming a mother, she obtained a post-graduate Diploma in Child & Adolescent health (Hon) from Sydney University as well as Certificate of Sexual Health through Family Planning Queensland.
While in Brisbane, she enjoyed working in both University and Women’s health clinics. Peggy also tutored at the School of Medicine, University of Queensland and maintained her enthusiasm for training and supporting GP registrars and colleagues.
Since returning to Victoria, Peggy has invested her time working in gender diverse health care, she co-authored the Clinical Prescribing Guidelines for GPs, and continues to advocate strongly at the public health level for improved care to the LBGTIQA+ community.
Peggy thrives on providing quality inclusive primary health care for the individual. She is humbled daily by the stories of courage and resilience patients share with her.
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Dr Pratiksha Nirmal
(General Practitioner)
Dr Pratiksha Nirmal (affectionately known as ‘Pia’) is originally from the UK and has been working in Melbourne since 2019. She qualified in 2012 and gained extensive experience in several specialties, before she decided to follow her passion and become a GP. She gained MRCGP (UK) in 2017 and worked in London, until subsequently gaining FRACGP (Australia) in 2018 and making the move ‘down under’!
A warm and personable doctor, Dr Nirmal enjoys getting to know her patients and their families and empowering them to understand and take control of their health. She is a strong believer in continuity and patient-centred, holistic care.
She enjoys all aspects of General Practice and has special interests include Sexual Health, Women’s Health, Chronic Disease Management (asthma, hypertension etc), Diabetes and Mental Health. She is a HIV s100 Accredited Prescriber has also completed a Diploma in Diabetes.
When away from work, she enjoys quizzing, Formula 1 and cricket, which were some of the reasons she decided to move to Melbourne. That and she missed her train to Hogwarts….
Dr Nirmal looks forward to meeting you soon!
Languages spoken: English, Gujarati, Hindi
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday
Dr Thomas Cullen
(General Practitioner)
Dr Tom Cullen is originally from London and completed his university and medical training at Manchester Medical School in the United Kingdom. He moved to Australia in 2018 and has been working in and around Melbourne in a variety of different types of GP practice before settling at the Medical Hub @ RMIT.
He is interested in all areas of medicine but special areas of interest include; men’s health, sexual health/PREP prescribing, Chronic Disease Management, and preventative medicine/lifestyle modification. Tom enjoys both meeting new patients and working with patients over a period of months and years. He also enjoys working in education with medical students and often will be overseeing medical students at the Medical Hub @ RMIT.
Outside of work Tom enjoys running and going to the gym, live music and exploring Melbourne with his dog Buddy. Tom is always on the lookout for good food and drink so please feel free to give a recommendation.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday to Friday
Dr Sachin Gurung
(General Practitioner)
Sach graduated from Kathmandu University in 2010 and qualified as a GP from the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP) in the UK in 2019. He is a dedicated GP with a passion for providing comprehensive healthcare for patients of all ages.
With a Diploma in Child Health from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) in the UK, Sach has a special interest in paediatric care and ensuring the well-being of young patients. In addition, he holds a Certificate in Skin Cancer Medicine, with a keen interest in skin cancer detection and local treatment(cryotherapy and excisions of skin lesions).
Other interests include Implanon insertion and removal, Iron infusions and Travel Medicine(holds certifications for Yellow Fever and Q Fever).
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday
Dr Katie Mellor
Dr Katie Mellor graduated from University of Leeds UK in 2009. She spent her early doctor years in hospitals around the north of England covering a variety of specialties including obs and gynae, respiratory medicine, A&E and paediatrics, working towards her career goal of becoming a GP. She gained Fellowship to RCGP (UK) in 2014 and Fellowship to RACGP in 2015 when she set off on her adventure to Australia!
Dr Mellor’s special interests are sexual health, mental health, transgender health, and obstetrics and gynaecology. She has worked as a GP at Headspace, a youth mental health service. She is a strong advocate for the LGBTQI+ community.
She has a Diploma from the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists UK. She inserts contraception devices.
She has a passion for education and takes medical students from Monash University.
Outside of work Dr Mellor enjoys keeping active by running and cycling. She loves music gigs, being in the sunshine and a good smashed avo on toast.
Languages spoken: English.
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday.
Dr Priya Kondanapanny
Dr Priya Kondanapanny graduated from Bond University in 2011. Following this she undertook a 4 month long elective in General Surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology at a hospital in Bharatpur, Nepal. Dr Priya undertook further medical training at the Prince Charles and Princess Alexandra Hospitals in Brisbane, and rural hospitals across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Dr Priya attained her fellowship with the RACGP in 2017. Enjoying all aspects of family medicine, her special interests include women’s health including contraception device insertion and removal, dermatology, chronic disease management, sexual health, travel medicine and cosmetic medicine. She enjoys working with patients to understand their personal health goals and working towards achieving these with appropriate support, education and preventative medicine.
Outside of work Dr Priya has a keen interest in supporting rural and remote communities in Australia and overseas. She enjoys giving back to the community having volunteered with Amnesty International and participated in the Breast Cancer Triathlon in 2009. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, playing tennis, exploring the world through travel and F1 racing.
Languages spoken: English, Tamil and Pidgin.
Availability at Medical Hub: Tuesday to Friday.
Dr Andrew Pawlikowski
Dr Andrew (Jedrzej) Palikowski has undertaken extensive education prior to completing his Medical Degree at the University of Notre Dame in 2013. He previously graduated from a Bachelor of Science at the University of Canterbury NZ and then a Masters of Public Health at Monash University in 2008. Following on, he completed a Diploma of Child Health in 2016 and then a Certificate in Reproductive and Sexual Health for Doctors through Family Planning Victoria in 2018.
His broad range of hospital rotations and tertiary education led to his interest in general practice medicine, attaining his Fellowship in the RACGP in 2019. He has a keen interest in working with culturally and linguistically diverse persons, practicing in in Refugee health services at Monash Health, Dandenong when he is not at the Medical Hub.
Languages spoken: English and Polish.
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday.
Dr Sapna Walles
Dr Sapna Walles is a General Practitioner with a strong interest in skin cancer medicine, mental health, sexual health, and preventative healthcare.
Since completing her medical training at the University of New South Wales in 2014, she has gone on to achieve her Fellowship with the RACGP, and completed her Masters of International Public Health (Infectious Diseases specialisation) with academic excellence.
She has continued to expand her clinical skills through further training in Reproductive Medicine with Family Planning Victoria, as well as a Certificate in Skin Cancer Medicine. She is currently undertaking additional training in Dermoscopy.
Outside of medicine, Sapna is enjoys travel, dancing, long distance running and learning new languages.
Sapna is passionate about optimising overall physical and mental health, and looks forward to building meaningful therapeutic relationships with her patients.
Languages spoken: English, Tamil and Telugu
Dr Stephanie Smyrnios
PhD, Clinical psychologist
After graduating from the University of Melbourne, Dr. Stephanie Smyrnios worked as a psychologist in Victorian public mental health services where she developed her interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan using a range of therapeutic modalities. After completing her PhD at Victoria University, Dr. Smyrnios joined RMIT Counselling Service in 2002 as a Senior Counsellor with a special focus on psychological counselling to enable students to manage challenging mental health issues and achieve personal and study goals.
Dr. Smyrnios takes a flexible approach to evidence-based client-centred psychotherapy respectful of individual strengths and differences and enjoys working collaboratively with people to make personally-meaningful changes to enhance mental wellbeing.
Dr. Smyrnios is a registered psychologist with clinical endorsement, AHPRA- approved supervisor for the Clinical Psychology Registrar training program, Member of the Australian Psychological Society and Fellow of APS Clinical College.
Languages spoken: English.
Availability at Medical Hub: Friday
Dr Rachel Forth
(currently on leave)
Dr Rachel Forth graduated from the University of Manchester in the UK back in 2009. Prior to moving to Australia 3 years ago, Dr Forth worked as a media doctor, a GP and also in ED departments in the UK. Upon arrival in Australia she gained her fellowship to the RACGP and went on to further study weight management.
Dr Forth carries out minor skin surgeries and cervical screening. Her special interests are lifestyle medicine, weight management and musculoskeletal medicine.
She is passionate about equality and provides care in an open and friendly manner.
Outside of work Dr Forth enjoys playing soccer, cycling and live music.
Gigi Lai
Dietitian
Gigi completed her Bachelor of Nutrition Science followed by a Master of Dietetics degree at Monash University. She then works at different clinics across Melbourne as a private practice dietitian. Gigi’s warm, caring and patient personality allows her to become a competent dietitian working in the community. According to patients’ medical needs, Gigi will listen and understand their eating habits and pattern, tailor-made individual and package dietetics counselling sessions for our customers with the aim to help them regain health as well as enjoying fruitful life. Gigi always creates plans together with her clients to make sure they are satisfied and confident in making lifestyle changes and are able to include their favourite food in a healthy, balanced eating plan, as she believes that creating a sustainable plan is more realistic than giving out perfect meal plans. She believes every single person deserves to enjoy their favourite food, regardless of their health conditions. Gigi ensures her clients leave their appointment with confidence, feeling positive and empowered to achieve their health goals. Gigi has the professional knowledge and experience to assess the nutritional needs and to recommend appropriate nutritional treatment for referred patients. Gigi will evaluate and monitor dietetic intervention to help ensure a positive effect on patients’ nutritional status, aid the recovery process, control symptoms and improve well-being.
Gigi speaks fluent English, Mandarin and Cantonese.
Gigi offers nutritional advice on a range of health conditions which included but not limited to:
- General healthy eating
- Vegetarian / plant based nutrition
- Weight management
- Diabetes
- Cardiovascular diseases
- Dyslipidemia
- Fatty liver
- Gastrointestinal diseases – Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD)
- Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
- Disordered eating
- Preoperative and postoperative care
- Cancer Care
- Malnutrition
- Bone health
Dr Rebecca Kim
(General Practitioner)
Rebecca completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery and subsequently obtained a fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Rebecca enjoys all aspects of general practice; however, her special interest lies in dermatology ie. skin. She not only enjoys treating general skin conditions such as acne, dermatitis, and various skin lesions but also has a keen interest in managing surgical/acne scars and other cosmetic skin concerns.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Thursday
Dr Kang Choi
Dr Kang Choi graduated from Melbourne University with a medical degree in 2009 and is currently a fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. He has spent a few years working in various internal medicine specialties prior to joining family medicine.
Dr. Choi enjoys all aspects of general practice and is very happy to see new patients. He is particularly interested in mental health, health assessment, employment medical, skin checks, family planning, adolescent and young adults health. He also has special interest in acupuncture and is a member of Australian Medical Acupuncture College.
Dr. Choi makes effort to spend his spare time attending courses to learn new skills and keeping up to date with the latest medical knowledge.
Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay.
Availability at Medical Hub: Wednesday.
Dr William Jeyaprakash
Dr William Jeyaprakash grew up in rural South Australia, in a town called Port Pirie. He completed his undergraduate medical training at the James Cook University in 2015. After graduating he worked at the Royal Adelaide Hospital until 2017, before returning to his hometown to undertake GP training. Dr Will Jeyaprakash has supported his local community as a GP since this time and attained a fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practice in 2022. Having decided it was time for a change, he decided to move to Melbourne in late 2022.
Dr Will Jeyaprakash has a special interest in dermatology, although enjoys all areas of General Practice. His extensive exposure and training in a rural setting in Port Pirie has enabled him to gain a broad range of skills and knowledge, and he is looking forward to bringing these skills to the RMIT and Melbourne CBD community.
Outside of work, he loves to play Aussie rules and has played for Port Pirie for the last 3 years. He is an Adelaide crows supporter and also loves supporting the North Queensland Cowboys.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday from 1st December. Also, on Saturday mornings from January 2023.
Dr Stephanie Smyrnios
(PhD, Clinical psychologist)
After graduating from the University of Melbourne, Dr. Stephanie Smyrnios worked as a psychologist in Victorian public mental health services where she developed her interest in working with people from diverse backgrounds across the lifespan using a range of therapeutic modalities. After completing her PhD at Victoria University, Dr. Smyrnios joined RMIT Counselling Service in 2002 as a Senior
Counsellor with a special focus on psychological counselling to enable students to manage challenging mental health issues and achieve personal and study goals.
Dr. Smyrnios takes a flexible approach to evidence-based client-centred psychotherapy respectful of individual strengths and differences and enjoys working collaboratively with people to make personally-meaningful changes to enhance mental wellbeing.
Dr. Smyrnios is a registered psychologist with clinical endorsement, AHPRA- approved supervisor for the Clinical Psychology Registrar training program, Member of the Australian Psychological Society and Fellow of APS Clinical College.
Languages spoken: English
Availability at Medical Hub: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
Dr Aditya Thakur
(Physiotherapist)
Adi is an experienced senior physiotherapist with over 6 years of expertise in treating muscle and joint injuries. He collaborates closely with local sports, orthopaedic, and general physicians.
Adi’s background includes working with professional athletes in the NRL and triathlons, showcasing his in-depth knowledge of sports-related injuries and his ability to tailor treatments to athletes’ unique needs. Whether you’re a pro athlete or a casual one or have common postural-related/ chronic pain, Adi- has the know-how to help you overcome physical limitations, be pain-free and perform at your best.
He stays up-to-date with the latest developments in physiotherapy, ensuring that his treatments are based on the latest research and evidence.
Adi also has extensive experience in helping individuals with chronic pain, particularly in the neck, back, lower limbs, and shoulders. His patient-centred approach focuses on accurate diagnosis and personalized treatment plans to help you reach your goals. By using techniques like manual therapy, dry needling, clinical Pilates and evidence-based exercises, Adi is dedicated to guiding patients on their journey to recovery.
Outside of work: When he’s not in the clinic, Aditya loves staying active and staying connected to his community through swimming, gym and kickboxing. His passion for sports and personal well-being greatly influences his approach to physiotherapy, enabling him to empathize with his patients and serve them better. Trust Adi’s expertise and compassionate care to help you conquer your physical challenges and unlock your full potential.
Areas of specialty: Neck, lower back, shoulder and lower limb.
Availability at Medical Hub: Wednesday, Thursday, Friday