Allied Health
Ben Exton
Exercise Physiologist
Qualifications:
Accredited Exercise Physiologist and Sport Scientist. Accredited Exercise Physiologists (AEPs) are allied health professionals who work in many settings including hospitals, health services, community health centres and in private practice. AEPs are recognised by Medicare, Department of Veterans Affairs and other health funds, and prescribe exercise to help people with injuries, persisting pain, chronic disease, depression and weight management.
Work experience and how long you’ve been at MCHC:
MCHC for 6 months and prior to that working privately and in elite sport with Tonga Rugby and South Korea Telecom Swimming.
Approaches to your profession eg. the style in which you practise, what drives/motivates you:
First and foremost I develop a relationship and get to know each person/client so I can develop the best plan possible for them. I take the approach of tailoring programs to people’s lifestyles to ensure they can train consistently over the long term to meet personal goals and build a body resilient to injury. Daily mobility and movement are pillars of my training philosophy with each training program reflecting an individual’s goals, capability and lifestyle. ‘Training little and often over the long term’ is my philosophy.
Areas of interest or specialty:
● Management of chronic health conditions (eg.
diabetes, asthma, osteoporosis, osteoarthritis,
cardiovascular disease, cancer)
● Musculoskeletal rehabilitation
● Health and fitness assessments
● Exercise plans
● Sport performance
Jason Mickan
Exercise Physiologist
Qualifications:
12years experience, 8yrs working with out- patients at St Vincent’s private in Lismore. MCHC for 6 months – started in 2019.
Accredited Exercise Physiologists(AEPs) are allied health professionals who work in many settings including hospitals, health services, community health centres and in private practice. AEPs are recognised by Medicare, Department of Veterans Affairs and other health funds, and prescribe exercise to help people with injuries, persisting pain, chronic disease, depression and weight management.
Approaches to Exercise Physiology
Jason feels passionate about the inclusion of all people in activity and exercise to improve optimal health & wellbeing, including functional capacity & maintaining independence.
Special interests; Type 2 diabetes, prostate cancer support with the ‘Man Plan’, rehabilitation with post knee & hip replacements and hydrotherapy.
Grace Hawkins
Naturopath & Nutritionist
BHSc (Comp.Med) Adv. Dip (Nat)
With over 15 years’ experience as a health care practitioner, Grace has a Bachelor of Health Science and Complementary Medicine and an Advanced Diploma of Naturopathy. She has worked in several leading health retreats within Australia and has integrated her naturopathic, preventative health solutions and skillsets within numerous medical centre practices and health care teams. Offering professional, specific and effective support that is more than just a band-aid effect, Grace uses her extensive experience to review each person individually, including reading blood pathology results from a preventative health perspective.
- Gut health
- Nutrition
- Anxiety
- Fatigue
- Nutrient deficiencies
- Optimising health & wellbeing
Naturopathy is a system or method of treating illness and disease that employs no surgery or synthetic drugs but uses functional medicine testing, food as medicine, specialised diets, herbal medicine, nutrient therapy and counselling, where appropriate, to assist the natural healing processes of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual body.
Nutrition is the science that interprets the nutrients and other substances in food in relation to maintenance, growth, reproduction, health and disease of the body. It includes food intake, absorption, assimilation, biosynthesis, catabolism (breakdown) of molecules and the excretion of waste from the body.
Consultations offer a holistic approach to your health and wellbeing using naturopathic and nutritional principles to help to identify underlying cause/s of health concerns. By investigating signs and symptoms, health goals, past medical history, family history, blood pathology results and the overall function of the entire body system, this approach aims to facilitate optimal health and wellbeing.
Jim Walker
Podiatry
B.H.Sc (Hons)-Podiatry M.A.Pod.A
Podiatrists diagnose, manage and treat any issue from the knee joint down, with emphasis on the feet. Focus areas include; skin, nails, diabetic foot assessments, muscle pain, ligament injuries, tendinitis, sore joints, as well as the vascular and neurological system.
Some of the treatment approaches include the treatment of skin and nail problems, stretching and strengthening , orthotic therapy prescription, in shoe padding, footwear advice,
joint manipulation, sports strapping and x-ray and ultrasound referrals as needed.
We accept all patient types, including private patients,Medicare referrals (Enhanced Primary Care plans through your GP) and DVA (department of veteran affairs gold card).
Jim graduated with honors from QUT, Brisbane in 2011. After five years working in private practice on the Gold Coast, he joined Coastal Podiatry Group in 2017. His experience over the years has seen him develop a broad range of skills in diagnosing and treating all aspects of the foot and lower limb.
Jim’s own sporting background has enabled him to understand the importance of injury prevention and pain-free exercise. It’s his passion to see patients returning to the activities and lifestyle they love as soon as possible, as keeping the body moving is vital for overall health. Additional education and training has kept Jim up to date with the latest research and journals, and he has undergone additional courses in paediatric assessment (children) and ankle injuries.
Jim is available for appointments every Friday.
Areas of interest and experience include:
- Paediatrics (children)
- Pain of the foot, ankle and lower limb
- Sports injuries
- Plantar Fasciitis (heel pain)
- Diabetic foot assessments
- Geriatrics (elderly)
Podiatrists are university trained health professionals (four-year Bachelor of Health Science-Podiatry degree) who can diagnose, manage and treat any issue from the knee joint down, with emphasis on the feet. Areas we focus on include; skin, nails, muscle, ligament, tendon, vascular, neurological and bone pathology. We use a wide range of approaches such as stretching and strengthening prescription, orthotic therapy, in shoe padding, manipulation, sports strapping, x-ray and ultrasound referrals (for which we are bulk billed), as well as the more common treatments of skin and nail problems.
Common issues treated include:
- Plantar fasciitis and other causes of heel pain
- Flat feet
- Ankle pain
- Ball of foot pain
- Achilles tendinitis
- Bunions
- Leg and Shin pain
- Children’s feet including; in toeing gait, severs,
knee pain, flat feet - Corns, calluses, fissures, warts and tinea
- Nail problems, including ingrown toenails and
fungal infections - Ulcerations
Matthew Fourro
Osteopath
Osteopathy is an effective form of manual medicine that aims to restore the body’s musculoskeletal system to a state of balance. Osteopathy uses a unique system of diagnosis and treatment that emphasises the structural integrity of the body to treat many disorders that result in pain and dysfunction.
Osteopathic treatments are generally very gentle, and use a wide range of techniques that can include gentle joint mobilisation, spinal manipulation, trigger point therapy, myo-fascial release, stretching and soft tissue massage. The objective of treatment is to return you to full and pain free mobility and function and may include specific exercise prescription, postural, nutritional and lifestyle advice to maximise your treatment and recovery from:
- Back pain (incl disc injury)
- Neck & shoulder pain
- Headache & migraine
- Sports injuries
- Sciatica
- Tendonitis & bursitis
- Whiplash
- Postural complaints
- Jaw pain & TMJ
Egbert Weber
Osteopath
Dr Egbert Weber joined the mmc team in 2016 as an osteopath.
He first began his studies in osteopathy in 1989 whilst undertaking the study of naturopathy, and massage.
His personal experiences as a professional athlete fueled his interest and education In physical well-being both in the structural and internal sense.
Egbert’s studies and work experience took him to a plethora of places and roles including ostéopathies studies at the ICO in Brussels; Naturopathy in Sydney, Acupuncture in Colombo and physiotherapy in Berlin .
Egbert has taught in higher education since the early 1990s lecturer of bodywork and massage at SCU in Lismore , Massage at Tafe and Ace community colleges. He’s also worked in Germany as a sports physiotherapist to world class athletes.
Today, Egbert’s osteopathic practice specialises in treating those with both acute pain and longer term chronic symptoms. His whole body approach means he is able to explore many of the underlying problems which may be causing the symptoms, and help bring the fullest resolution.His treatments offer a combination of visceral cranial and structural work.
He is available Monday, Wednesday and Fridays for consultations.
Anjana Narsai
Physiotherapist
Anjana completed her physiotherapy degree BHSc(Physio) in Auckland, New Zealand; graduating in 2007. She has worked in private clinics in New Zealand and Australia and has been based in the Tweed/Byron area for the past 8 years. Her clinical experience involves treating sports injuries, workplace injuries, arthritic conditions, surgical prehab and rehabilitation, whiplash, cervicogenic headaches, postural correction, pregnancy related pain and weakness, and everyday aches and pains.
Treatment of these conditions involves educating the patient, use of massage and joint mobilisations, stretching and strength exercises and can involve the use of sports tape to support and aid the patients awareness of the injured area. Anjana has further training in teaching clinical pilates, teaching restorative yoga, and using acupuncture and dry needling which she can incorporate into your treatment plan.
Special interests in:
- Pregnancy and postpartum
- Incontinence
- Pelvic organ prolapse
- Whiplash
- Sports injuries
Ki’ a ’i Weber
Kahuna bodyworker
Julie Walker
Mental health counsellor / Social worker
Dental Health
Walter Piccolruaz
Dentist
Qualifications: BDSc
Walter has worked in the holistic dental field since graduating in 1991. His interest areas include minor oral surgery, rotary endodontics, cosmetic and family dentistry, with an emphasis on providing a full range of dental care in a relaxed, caring and confident atmosphere.
Shehab Faragallah
Dentist
Qualifications: BDSc
With over 15 years experience in family dentistry, Shehab is a practitioner of early interceptive orthodontic treatment and has studied advanced dental aesthetics. His special interests include the diagnosis and treatment of TMJD and holistic dental approaches.
Mel McDonald
Dental & Allied Health Reception
Coming soon…
Savannah Campbell
Dental Nurse
Coming soon…
Coming soon…
Psychologists
Carl Moore
Psychologist
Registered Psychologist/Psychotherapist/Counsellor
Currently working 3 days per week, in semi-retirement at 67 years-old, Carl is making good use of the various trainings and experiences of a full working life as ‘professional helper/helping professional’.
From a long career as Teacher this current career of Psychotherapist came about. Arising from many conversations with many people, making use of obvious strengths in caring, empathy, unconditional positive regard, listening and hearing, as well as maintaining confidences and ethical boundaries, Carl decided to gain highest-level tertiary training in Psychology and Counselling. This was combined with years of on-and-off personal psychotherapy, across a number of modalities. The outcome being abilities and skills for a variety of helping conversations across the full range of ages and psychosocial issues.
At Mullumbimby Comprehensive Health Centre, Carl can assist with issues attached to: anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, family system difficulties, personal identity difficulties, eating problems, sexuality and sexual functioning, Autism, grief-loss-bereavement, grave and life-limiting illness, dying, Love and deep identity.
Carl’s client contacts arise from Medicare-subsidised Mental Health Care Plans, private full fee-paying bookings, Work Development Orders, NDIS assistance and Employee’s Assistance Programme bookings.
Claudia Michels
Psychologist
Coming soon…
Sandra Lunbergs
Psychologist
Nearly 20 years with MCHC, over 30 years as a psychologist
Focus: Compassionate, Mindfulness-informed cognitive therapy for adults.
Qualifications:
- Registered Psychologist
BA (Psych) UQ, Grad Dip (Psych) LIHS (now LaTrobeU) - Level 2 iRest Yoga Nidra Teacher
- Ongoing professional development.
- Medicare Approved Provider
- Contract Counsellor for Open Arms, Veterans’ and Veterans’
- Families Counselling Service (22 years)
Interests:
Living a healthy and fulfilling life, and supporting others to do the same. Neuro-plasticity and mindfulness based strategies, such as iRest Yoga Nidra for health and well-being. Psychology of happiness.
Approaches: Eclectic, practical, compassionate and client-centred approach, including psycho-education regarding the stress response, and individually tailored treatment. The aim is for clients to feel more empowered to make the changes they want, to feel more resilient and resourceful in their lives and interactions with others.
iRest Yoga Nidra is a powerful process to assist in meeting, greeting, processing and integrating whatever life brings, and has been found to be useful in helping people relax, sleep better, and heal unresolved issues.
Focused Psychological Strategies for clients attending under a Mental Health Care Plan. These can include CBT and Relaxation Strategies such as mindfulness meditation.
Medical Services
Norbert Weber
Principle Doctor
Focus = Registrar supervisor Musculoskeletal medicine
Qualifications = Bachelor of Medicine, Germany, 1983 Diploma of Musculoskeletal Medicine
Interests = Kahuna bodywork martial art training
Mario Alam
General Practitioner MBBS, RACGP
Dr Mario Alam offers the community a uniquely integrative and holistic medical approach with a passion for intuitively exploring each patients’ circumstances through the application of a range of personalised tools and integrated disciplines including:
- Holistic General Practitioner
- Integrative Medicine
- Preventative Medicine
- Nutritional and Environmental medicine
- Psychosomatic Medicine
Dr Mario’ s services continue to bring clear and effective results as he explores a new paradigm of intuitive medical practice combining his skills integratively with other members of the Mullumbimby Comprehensive Medical centre and health practitioners.
Dr Mario is an avid traveler, multilingual and loves to dance. He loves trekking across the world’s mountains as he explores the cultures across this magnificent planet. He’s often seen at Festivals and loves to explore spirituality and global transformation.
Special Interests:
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Family Health
- Nutrition
- Preventative medicine
- Mind Body Medicine
Michael Stapelberg
General Practitioner - Dermatology & Skin Cancer
BSc Hons I Anatomy (QLD), MBBS, PhD Dermatology (SYD), Dip Prac Dermatology (CARDIFF), FRACGP, ACCSCMS, ACCD (Skin Cancer College Australasia)
Dr Michael Stapelberg is an accredited, highly trained general practitioner, with a special interest in skin cancer diagnosis, management and dermatology. His focussed training enables him to regularly deal with patients with dermatological and skin cancer related problems.
Other than his primary medical qualification and fellowship with The Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP), he also holds first class honours in Anatomy from the University of Queensland, a postgraduate PhD in Dermatology from the University of Sydney, a Diploma in Practical Dermatology from Cardiff University, and extensive training in skin cancer medicine through The Skin Cancer College Australasia.
His PhD in Dermatology investigated the damaging effects of ultraviolet (UV) radiation contained in sunlight. He has published extensively in peer-reviewed journals, including the Journal of Investigative Dermatology and Dermatological Surgery, and has presented at national and international conferences. In 2020 he is undertaking the MSc in Practical Dermatology through Cardiff University investigating early diagnosis of melanoma. He is also an adjunct Associate Professor at Southern Cross University.
At Mullumbimby Comprehensive Health Centre he runs a Dermatology clinic focussed on Acne, Rosacea and Eczema.
Simon Bednarek
General Practitioner
Annette Beisenher
General Practitioner, MD
Annette is a trained Skin Cancer and General Practitioner. Her focus is on skin cancer screening, and skin cancer prevention advice. Annette uses dermoscopy in skin cancer detection, as well as digital mole monitoring as needed. She has undergone Skin Cancer training with Health Cert, including a Professional Diploma in Dermoscopy, which is recognised by the International Dermoscopy Society, the Skin Cancer Institute and accredited by RACGP.
She has performed skin cancer screening throughout NSW and has over 20 years experience as a GP with skin cancer interest. Her focus is on skin cancer screening, and skin cancer prevention advice. Annette uses dermoscopy in skin cancer detection, as well as digital mole monitoring as needed.
Catriona Quinn
General Practitioner
Thomas Rolley
General Practitioner
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Medicine, University of Queensland, 2001 Fellowship of the Royal College of General Practitioners 2012
Graduate Certificate in Medical Acupuncture, Monash University 2013
He is involved with medical education at graduatemedicine.com and bhaktiatsu.com.
Dr Rolley’s Interests include surfing, Qi Gong and Kirtan.
Hazim Faragallah
General Practitioner
Coming Soon…
Stuart Glastonbury
General Practitioner
Stuart is a keen snowboarder and skateboarder and a good all round GP.
Qualifications include:
FRACGP, Bachelor of Medical Science (BSc Medsci). Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) University of Queensland Grad dip child health.
Jef Reinten
General Practitioner
Coming Soon…
Registrars
Tom Fuller
Registrar
Nelson Herbert
Registrar
Nashreen Omar
Registrar
Nurses
Debra Mylrea
Registered Nurse
Sedi Dawson
Registered Nurse
Linda Graham
Registered Nurse
Kirsty McRae
Registered Nurse
Sue McIntyre
Nurse
QML collector
Chiron Weber
Practice Manager
Coming Soon…