Topic: Profile

Dr Marzieh Niknami from The Practice – Bundanoon says happy and healthy community members are more likely to contribute to their community’s productivity and sustainability. Learn more about how she and her colleagues empower their patients to become healthier versions of themselves.

 

 

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in Bundanoon/Wingecarribee Shire?

I have about eight years GP experience. I have been practising in Bundanoon since March 2019.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?

I have been very active in the field of medicine and I was fortunate to be able to accomplish various degrees, do research and teach in universities. My curiosity took me to different fields and helped me to achieve degrees including a PhD in medicine and fellowship at the University of Sydney. However, I realised that nothing satisfies me like being with and talking to people. My compassionate nature, my question about the purpose of life and my idea about touching people’s lives guided me to become a GP which offers rich opportunities for patient encounters and treating people of all ages including babies, toddlers, children, teenagers, to adults. It also gives me the opportunity to see patients in the context of their families and communities. My passion is helping people to change their health and eventually their life for the better. I believe change in one person’s health can improve the community and a better community makes a better Australia where every citizen will benefit. Further, being a GP is intellectually very challenging, which is really rewarding. Unlike hospital, as a frontline doctor you see patients presenting often with one to two pieces of information and you need to find a diagnosis. It is very exciting when you come up with a diagnosis and understand a patient’s health conditions.

 

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

I really enjoy the continuity of care and the opportunity to develop long-term relationships with my patients which is the pillar of comprehensive care. Empowering patients and making my patients’ healthcare journey as convenient as possible is very rewarding. Freedom in choosing different advanced skills such as training in advanced women’s health, skin disease, wound care and mental health and applying them to my every day practice has been very satisfying. It feels that I can grow daily with general practice and learn extensively every day. Also, I quite like the flexibility of choosing my work hours and days which is necessary for work-home balance especially for GPs with young children.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

Alongside my dear colleague Dr Indran Rajendra, we try to provide the best comprehensive healthcare and empower our community’s residents to move steps closer to a healthier version of themselves and to stay healthy. I believe happy and healthy members are more likely to contribute to the community’s productivity and sustainability. Our holistic team care in general practice – including but not limited to skin cancer, children’s health, women’s health, sexual health, mental health, chronic disease care and wound management – has been improving people’s health and life and reducing unnecessary referrals. Due to our genuine care, we enjoy a great deal of loyalty from members of our community.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to spend time with my family and discover nature. I am blessed to live in the Southern Highlands, which offers plenty of natural beauty. I also like fashion and photography.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

My ideal day is when it is full of my children’s laughter at home and my patient’s big hopeful smile when they leave my office at work.

 

What do you love most about the Bundanoon/Wingecarribee Shire?

I guess it’s people who are so warm and friendly. It is also perfect for raising my young family with plenty of green fields, parks, great schools, shops and cafes. It is protected like a beautiful jewel from noise and air pollution but at the same time is close to three major cities if I need to go for training and conferences.

 

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

My advice to my patients is take control and responsibility for your health. Mental health is the pillar of a healthy life so I always recommend that my patients stay positive and in touch with loved ones, be involved with their community as much as possible and be mindful. 

The relationships with her patients and other health professionals in the area makes working in Moss Vale extra special for Dr Taleitha Atkins who opened Highlands General Practice with her colleagues in November. 

 

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in Moss Vale?

I was awarded Fellowship with the RACGP in 2018 after finishing my GP training. For the past five years I’ve worked in the Southern Highlands at a variety of different practices through my training, but as well as in general practice and the Emergency Department at Bowral Hospital. I teach medical students through Wollongong University as well.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?

I decided to be a GP during my hospital terms, as an intern, for two reasons. I’m interested in all aspects of medicine and want to continue seeing a broad range of patients and specialties. I also like to be able to see patients long-term. In the hospital you just see patients once or twice, you don’t really know what happens to them, but here you get to follow them through, get to know their journey, what happens with their illness over time and you develop relationships with them.

 

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

What we like to do is to help people but people don’t always accept our help or advice. So, I don’t think we can measure our reward by how much we impact people. It’s about maintaining that attitude of serving and helping regardless of whether people accept your help or not. My favourite things are seeing kids, I look after a lot of pregnant women and do a lot of antenatal shared care, and I really enjoy diagnostic dilemmas and getting to the bottom of a case. It’s really nice to be able to get to know the whole family. We have lots of patients where the whole family comes, grandparents, siblings, and it’s quite fun because they start dobbing each other in – like grandpa is drinking too much alcohol. You have to be quite sly in the way you bring it up like no one told you. It’s quite special really.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

We’ve recently relocated so we are under new management here and what’s really touching is so many of our patients have come across. We weren’t able to tell people where we were going but they figured out where we were and we are very busy seeing them all. We’re touched by the loyalty of the people who want to stick with us. It just goes to show how small and well connected this community is. We see our patients chatting together in the waiting room, everyone knows each other. It’s really nice to be part of this community and to help people, and knowing that people rely on us.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Just keeping active and being outside, particularly on lovely days.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

My ideal work day is when the IT works … but seriously, with the transition from our other clinic I’ve been struck by how lucky I am to work with good colleagues. The other three doctors here are outstanding clinicians and we’ve learnt to work well as a team – joking, debriefing, they are really supportive and I’m lucky to work with such a close-knit group. The other thing is teaching, having medical students around. I really appreciate that. Their quest for learning and the awe that they have when they learn something new inspires me to keep going and reminds me why I became a doctor in the first place. It’s really good to remember that part of medicine as well.

 

What do you love most about Moss Vale?

So many things. It’s such a beautiful place. Great, cutesy and unique shops, lots of good cafes but for me I moved back from Queensland because my friends and family are here in the area. That’s what really makes it for me. I’m also lucky to be working in this area. We have a sort of country practice here in Moss Vale where it’s even more of a small town than say Mittagong or Bowral. We also have great relationships with other health professionals. We found that with our change the support and collegiality that we’ve had from pharmacists, allied health and other GPs has been remarkable. They’ve worked with us and helped our patients to make sure they were safe during our transition time. We’re really thankful for having those relationships and the support there. It’s nice to know who’s on the other end of a referral.

 

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

I try to help my patients be preventative with their health – that’s why we’re GPs – and develop good health habits. I don’t think health is an outcome, I think it is a way of life. We are really trying to teach our patients it’s about the little gains and about doing that consistently. It’s all about balance. A lot of people were waiting for 2020 to be over so they could get back to normal but I don’t think putting things off because of external circumstances is ever good. We’ve got to learn how to be healthy and have good habits in whatever circumstances we’re in. And that’s holistic health.

Dr Marwan Toma who works at Valley Plaza Medical Centre and Holsworthy Health Centre enjoys looking after people of all ages. He says ‘family medicine challenges a physician to know an adequate amount about all branches of medicine in addition to knowing people’. 

Learn more about Dr Toma …

 

How long have you been a GP?

I’ve worked as a GP since 2009. I worked in Blayney NSW until 2015 then moved to Sydney. Since 2016 I’ve been doing one day a week at the Valley Plaza Medical Centre and four days at Holsworthy Health Centre at Holsworthy ADF Army Barracks.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?

My interest in family medicine started when I was doing medical observerships in the United Kingdom. I enjoy meeting and looking after people of all ages while analysing and solving problems that a primary care doctor faces. Family medicine challenges a physician to know an adequate amount about all branches of medicine in addition to knowing people. I love walking the journey with my patients and sharing their joy and sorrow moments. This helps me understand more about myself and how to be a better person.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

The Valley Plaza Medical Centre in Hinchinbrook provides services to the surrounding community. Most of my patients are from Liverpool and Fairfield council areas and some are from other areas like Penrith and Bankstown. I try to provide holistic approach to management of my patients.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Walking with my wife, riding bike with my children, reading, writing thoughts, watching movies with my children, attending church and Bible study.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

I wake up 5.30am, I do some reading and exercise at home, then go to the hospital at the barracks starting work at 8am. I see patients in hospital and outpatient settings and finish at 4pm. Fridays, I get to take the kids to school and start work at the Valley Plaza Medical Centre at 10.30am and leave around 6pm seeing patients in GP clinic.

 

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

Eat healthy, try to do exercise daily if you can, sleep well, maintain healthy enjoyable relationships with family and friends and enjoy a life with a good purpose.

Dr Richard Hanbury at Mittagong Medical Centre loves living and working in the Southern Highlands. He says being part of the community and part of his patients’ lives is very rewarding. 

Learn more about Dr Hanbury….

 

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in Mittagong?

I’ve been a GP for 38 years and I’ve been at this practice in Mittagong for 38 years.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?

In medical school I remember reading a lot of Australian Family Physicians in the library. I thought how interesting the job was. I also wanted to work in the country. I considered being a farmer but that never eventuated! I thought becoming a GP would be a good chance to work in the country and to be in charge of my own business. As a GP you are part of the community and very much a part of people’s lives – it’s been quite special to be part of people’s lives, a real privilege.

 

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

I like being part of people’s lives and trying to make a difference. You can give people advice but they don’t always take it of course and you need to accept that. And maybe it’s not the right advice. We don’t always know best. You give people options and they have to decide.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

We give holistic care, we look after all people and we have a sense of community. This has been the original practice in Mittagong for well over 100 years. All the doctors have been here for some time, we don’t change much. We’ve got generations of families who have always been to this practice. People are very loyal and really appreciate what we do for them.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

I like to walk. I walk every day, we’ve got a big garden at home, play tennis, involved a lot with church activities and we were travelling a lot before COVID-19 restrictions. I also like to catch up with friends.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

I like to get up in the morning and go for a walk for half-an-hour. I’m at the hospital at 7.30am to see my patients and then back to the surgery at 8.30am. Coffee at 10 o’clock on the dot, a five-minute lunchbreak at 12pm and I’d like to be out of here by 6pm.

 

What do you love most about the Mittagong/Wingecarribee Shire?

I love where I work, I love the people I work with and my patients. I live a four-minute drive to work, we have a comfortable house and lovely garden, and it’s a four-minute drive to the hospital on the other side. We have four seasons in the Southern Highlands and the soil is very good for gardening. It’s only an hour and a quarter to the Belvoir Theatre at Surry Hills for example, or we can go down to the beach in under an hour. There’s also very good schools here in the Southern Highlands so I think we’re very fortunate. There’s also a lot of interesting people here too – people from all walks of life. Especially now with COVID, we’re lucky we don’t live in Sydney.

 

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

Regular exercise, don’t smoke, not too much alcohol, be socially engaged.

Dr Lai Leong models himself on the family doctor of his childhood, providing old-fashioned, solo general practice care for his patients. He’s served the Fairfield community for more than 40 years.

Find out what he loves so much about being a GP.

 

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in the Fairfield LGA?

I’ve been in this area for a long, long time – approximately 44 years.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?

It just happened by chance. I didn’t choose to become a GP, I was picked to be a GP. I was born and studied in South Africa at the time of apartheid when, as Asians of Chinese origin, we were only allowed two places at medical school. I was doing a science degree but the first year group doing medicine were doing so badly that after my first year they came to our science class and chose the top lot. That’s how I got into medicine. So, that year instead of two Asians they allowed five Asians to study medicine. They allowed 20 students from Indian backgrounds but the rest had to be white.

I finished my internship in South Africa. It was a very good education and I’m very thankful to South Africa for that because I was at the University of the Witwatersrand, a university in Johannesburg which is well recognised all over the world. That’s the university that was running the famous Baragwanath Hospital, that serviced Soweto, the main black ghetto where the riots were happening to free South Africa from apartheid in the 1970s. A lot of my training was in Baragwanath Hospital and I was right amongst the riots at that time. They were very interesting times.

As soon as I finished my medical degree I came out to Australia, straight into the Fairfield area and I’ve been here ever since. It’s been a fantastic life here.

 

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

It is a very, very satisfying job. I’m so blessed to be in this position.

I’ve always fashioned myself on the general practitioner that used to look after my family back home – it’s an old-fashioned, solo general practice. I get to know all my patients and my patients treat me so well, in fact they treat me too well and I’m being fed every day! My Italian patients are very generous, my Vietnamese patients give me noodles every day and my Eastern European patients give me the most wonderful cakes. Now the Middle Eastern group who are in this area are introducing me to their culinary delights.

The best part of being a GP is being part of the family. I am part of their life and their family and it’s a wonderful thing to see people growing up, having their kids and their kids having kids. I’ve seen four generations of kids growing up. I’ve got my patients who have graduated in medicine who are now specialists, who are now lecturing me! It’s a wonderful, wonderful life.

Of course, there are always challenges in being a GP – you’ve got the business side of it and the academic side of it. I’ve always loved learning and with the invention of the internet it’s been so easy to learn new things. I’ve been able to see change – where things were all paper based, now they are all electronic based.

There are also the sad parts. I’ve seen my patients grow old and pass away and sometimes driving in you reflect or you sit at home and reflect on it.

But all and all it’s been happiness rather than sadness.

I can retire anytime now but I choose even at the time of COVID-19 to continue because I feel that I’m needed, my patients say I mustn’t leave and that’s a wonderful feeling. With me it’s a 24-hour, seven days a week commitment. The GPs from my generation did everything, we still do everything, so people will pass away in the middle of the night and the family will call us and we will be there at 2 o’clock in the morning to issue the certificate and to be there with the family because we’ve known them for so long.

I do it not because I have to but because I enjoy it, it’s not so much work, it’s my life.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

Preventative medicine, being there for my patients and saving lives which is so rewarding and keeps us going in our field. It’s always fantastic when you are able to pick up something to keep a patient from something bad happening to them. That’s the biggest thing I can offer to my patients.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

The time that I do have, I’m very much into sport. Walking, jogging, cycling. I used to be a keen golfer until I injured myself. I used to play squash regularly with a group of doctors from this area and that was fantastic because there was a lot of mixing between the GPs and that formed a strong bond between us. A lot have retired. I’m one of the last of that group that is continuing. Just basically looking after myself and spending time with the grandchildren.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

The ideal days and non-ideal days can often blur into one.

The ideal day would be a day where you walk in and things just go smoothly – appointments go smoothly … the electronics are working.

We all love those days when we can sit back and have a cup of tea and have a yarn but the most rewarding can be those days that are just haphazard and when night time comes and you reflect you think ‘yes, I have done well’.

The other day I walked in and there was a myocardial infarction going on and the next minute a police officer walked in because someone had passed away. It was a mess, everything was going haywire. When things settled down I thought ‘this was a good day because I was of service again to the community’. The myocardial infarction was well handled with a good result for the patient and the waiting room quickly settled down and everyone was appreciative.

In a way, sometimes the day that was most busy turns out to be one of the best days when you reflect on it.

 

What do you love most about Fairfield LGA?

It is such an interesting area, we have people from so many backgrounds, it’s so wonderful to see them do well. They come here absolutely traumatised from all different parts of the world and become wonderful citizens of Australia. It’s so nice to be part of Fairfield.

 

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

Number one – stay away from me as much as possible stay away from our tablets! But of course, when you need to come to us and take tablets you should.

It’s the simple things – exercise, eat well, get fresh air and sunshine, and a good sleep. Those are the things I advise them to do and when they do that, we get fantastic results. And, of course taking care of your mental health is important. Mental health is such a big issue with our immigrant population because they are under so much pressure.

Dr Olataga Alofivae-Doorbinnia from Powell Street Family Practice in Yagoona says good support is a key element to running a successful practice. This support has allowed her to provide comprehensive, long-term care for patients and to create a niche, caring for and improving the health outcomes of Pacific communities in the Bankstown LGA.

 

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in Yagoona/Bankstown LGA? 

Talofa lava! I have been a GP in the Yagoona/Bankstown area since 1995. It was 26 years on 1 September 2020.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?  

I grew up in South Auckland, New Zealand, and came from a poor Samoan family financially, but a family that was rich in terms of spiritual, community and family values. Working hard and getting a good education was the goal in those days, in the mid-1980s. I was so lucky to graduate Auckland Medical School by 1990. I had no idea what I was going to do until I went on holiday to Sydney, Australia, and decided to work a few years as a hospital doctor at Westmead Hospital in the early 1990s. I had also met my future partner and slowly we worked together to build a family and future in Sydney. General practice was the correct choice for me due to the ease of training and after getting fellowship in 1995, my husband Kamal and I brought an existing solo practice in Yagoona which has worked well for us. We’ve developed a good general practice and have set up a good niche caring for Pacific communities. My message to migrant GPs is: you can do it, don’t give up, and most importantly, always have good backup. As long as you have good support and good ethics, you’ll do well.

 

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

General practice can be a daunting challenge for any new doctor starting to run your own business. I love the variety it has brought to my life. My husband – our practice manager – has supported the many roles I have had as a GP – clinical practitioner, teacher for medical students and GP registrars, GP researcher and examiner for our RACGP for many years. I’ve also loved learning how to run a small medical business – you have to learn many other skills not taught at medical school. I’ve loved the challenge, and with God’s grace we have been able to run a safe and viable general practice. It requires a lot teamwork and support by the PHN and RACGP, and work staying up-to-date with the latest medical knowledge and health standards.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

Our practice has developed from a solo practice to a three-to-four doctor practice, including a GP registrar, registered nurse and good administration staff. We also have a pathology collection centre, visiting allied health and specialists, and a dedicated dental clinic. The practice has two buildings and we’re hoping to expand to the adjacent property for other clinical roles in the near future. We are very blessed as we build and create services in our community and have been fully accredited in general practice for many years.

We service our local community with all the usual GP services – immunisations, chronic care, nursing home care, women’s health – for our local patients. We have a passion for our Pacific communities and we have been involved in research with our local universities to improve health outcomes for new migrant groups such as our Pacific Island communities.

With the current COVID 19 pandemic we have changed the way we practise to improve infection control. We’re back to our old hospital days of living in our scrubs and we don’t see respiratory patients in our rooms. Anyone who has got a cough or other symptoms, we quickly triage. We are lucky that our practice has two buildings and a space in the middle where cars can come in under a carport so our patients with symptoms can be seen there. For example, the day after the cluster of cases was identified at Casula we had quite a few families coming in wanting to be tested. They were coming all the way from Casula. We don’t do a lot of testing but we’re doing enough to service not only our own patients but those that can’t get into other clinics. We are very grateful for the PHN for their help with some PPE to improve screening of our patients. During the pandemic, we’ve also helped to educate our Pacific communities and other at-risk groups about COVID-19 and we’ve offered telehealth to all our regular patients.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I always enjoy having time with my family, my husband and our two adult children – Leilani our daughter is now a medical resident doctor at Westmead Hospital and Jordan, her younger brother, works for Service NSW. We love going to dinner or attending a family event or catching up for a day out for some exercise. I love reading books and also enjoy attending my local church on a Sunday or just catching up with some friends and family over coffee or a meal.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

A good clinical day is knowing what is going to happen – and being prepared for it. Making sure the medical supplies, computers and clinical staff are present. Making sure all the team are in good spirits and working together, and getting to the end of the day knowing you have improved the quality of life of your patients and your clinical team feel they have made a difference in their time with you and are happy to come back the next day. When I am on leave my ideal day is travelling to visit family or a well-earned holiday is a treat to rest and recover from work.

 

What do you love most about the Yagoona/Bankstown LGA?

We live and work the Yagoona/Bankstown LGA and our children have grown up in this community which is rich in a diversity of cultures. I have got to know many of the other health practitioners over the years in our area and developed good networks with other GPs and specialists and our local hospitals in our LGA. There is lots of work for all the GPs as our area expands with many multicultural populations and we hope to train good GPs for the future in our area.

 

What advice do you give your patients about good healthcare?

Good healthcare is achieved by developing a caring relationship with your patient over time. It involves the teamwork of your staff to organise recalls for your patients to come in to have their immunisations and follow up of results. It involves appropriate and timely advice when serious and life-threatening diagnosis occurs, and also when the GP can organise good services to our other allied health and specialist services as appropriate to bring about good health outcomes. Our patients enjoy our care as we will look after their families from birth to end of life.

Dr Susan Sunwoo from Ashford Avenue Family Practice at Milperra said developing long-term relationships with her patients and getting to know each person and their families was one of the joys of being a GP. 

 

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in Milperra/Bankstown LGA?

I have been a GP for eight years. We have been practising in our current location in Milperra for five years since my husband and I opened our practice together.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP?

The lifestyle and flexibility of being a GP appealed to me when I was trying to decide on a career path. I also couldn’t choose one specific area of medicine I wanted to work in – general practice covers all areas of medicine across all ages. 

 

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

I suspect that most GPs would state similarly, but I think one of the joys of being a GP is being able to develop long-term relationships with our patients and to get to know each person and their families. It is humbling to guide patients when they are most vulnerable, and to also be able to share life’s special moments.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community?

We strive to bring good quality medicine to the local community. Being practice owners allows us the autonomy to steer the practice in the direction we want. We love being a part of the community in Milperra.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time?

If spare time is defined as a child-free moment, I love to go for a run by the beach and try to catch up on some non-medical reading.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

Start with coffee and end with wine.

 

What do you love most about the Milperra/Bankstown LGA?

The local community and our patients!

 

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

Maintaining good mental health is an important part of self-care and I encourage patients to try and actively make time for activities they enjoy doing – it could be as simple as going for a walk or a cup of coffee with a friend.

Dr Nathan Cooney from Wintergarden Family Practice enjoys working in a traditional GP-style general practice where he can develop a long-term relationship with his patients. 

 

How long have you been a GP and how long have you been practising in Bowral/Wingecarribee? 

I’ve been a GP for 13 years and I’ve been practising in Bowral since midway through 2011 – so nine years.

 

When/why did you decide you wanted to become a GP? 

When I was a kid I liked the idea of being a doctor. My background is Greek and once my Greek grandparents realised I was bright I had to become a doctor!

Then, when I was at university doing problem-based learning – where you basically train as a GP – I realised I really liked the idea of being able to help anyone, rather than just having a particular specialty. I considered paediatrics because I like kids and I also liked surgery, and I still love doing bits and pieces of surgery in the GP clinic. I was a bit idealistic, I liked the idea of being able to help anyone who asked for it.

 

What do you love most about being a GP/what part of the job gives you the most satisfaction?

Definitely having a long-term relationship with people. I love working in a practice that really values the relationship between doctor and patient. If patients want to see the same doctor, then that’s fine, they’re not pushed on to anyone else. It’s having that traditional style GP-model where you see the person you know that I really enjoy.

 

What is the most important thing you/your practice contributes to this community? 

It’s a cradle to grave practice. It’s called Wintergarden Family Practice. When I took it over it was called Wintergarden Medical Centre and I changed the name for that reason. The community needs a practice where they feel they are well looked after and cared for by reception staff and doctors who know them. I don’t think you get that sort of rapport in a clinic where you’re seen as a one-off.

 

What do you like to do in your spare time? 

I do a little bit of bush regeneration, quite a bit yoga, meditation and Buddist philosophy. I don’t mind watching sport, including a bit of rugby.

 

Tell me about your ideal day…

An ideal day would include having time to engage with my children and my wife. My girls are seven and nine years old so having an opportunity to go for a bike ride with them, help them with homework, read stories, play board games, that would be an ideal day.

 

What do you love most about Bowral/Wingecarribee?

I was born and bred in Sydney but GP registrar training in the country for six months was compulsory. I was a GP registrar in Orange and I loved being in a semi-rural setting. I extended my stay in Orange and stayed there for two-and-a-half years. I met my wife in Orange and she also loved the country. Her parents live down here in Wingecarribee so we thought it might be a good fit for us and for bringing up family. It’s nice to be in a rural setting where things seem to be more convenient, easy going and it’s a bit more relaxed lifestyle. Although with work it doesn’t always work out like that!

 

What advice do you give your patients about maintaining good health?

I like the lifestyle medicine approach. I’m a member of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine so I’m big on talking about nutrition, healthy habits, exercise, relaxation techniques and reducing stress levels – a holistic look at people’s emotional and physical health, sometimes delving into their spiritual issues. That’s something that’s come up with coronavirus lately, talking about death. Health is not just a physical prescription, most of the time lifestyle changes and considerations are much more important.