HOBART OBGYN - Key Persons
Ally is a psychologist with a keen interest in health psychology, focusing on managing the impact of persistent pain and chronic disease on people's mental health and wellbeing. She also works with women through the perinatal period, to manage and prevent mental health conditions including perinatal depression and anxiety, and adjustment disorder.
She has experience working with adolescents and adults who present with a range of persistent pain conditions and chronic diseases, to explore and manage the psychological pathways that shape people's experiences and coping. Additionally, she has experience working with people to manage life transitions, stress, depression and anxiety using a range of therapeutic approaches including CBT, ACT and mindfulness.
Ally is a calm, warm and open psychologist, who enjoys working with clients collaboratively and reflectively. She enjoys working as part of the multidisciplinary team at HobartOBGYN, where she is constantly learning and drawing on the expertise of others around her to enhance care.
Outside of work, Ally loves spending time with friends and family, swimming and snorkeling, immersing herself in nature, reading and playing the flute.
Angela has recently moved back to Tasmania after a great year of working with Jane Barker and colleagues in 2017. She has had an extensive and rich Pelvic Health physiotherapy experience in both the public and private sectors, treating folks of different sex, sexuality, gender, and identity with pelvic health conditions.
Since 2005 Angela has also been the Pelvic Health Physiotherapy Lead for NSW Health ISLHD. She has been involved in many research and innovative projects with the primary focus of equity and delivering a high-quality evidence-based practice and service within the district. She has witnessed the emergence of Pelvic Health Physiotherapy to encompass an increasingly widening scope of practice. She finds this both exciting and inspiring, and continues to be an active member of the NSW Public Health Physiotherapy, and the APA- Women's Men's and Pelvic Health Networks.
Angela feels privileged to be working with people as they share their story during a traumatic or vulnerable time. She strongly believes in listening, and welcomes clients to voice any confusion or concerns, so that management can be individually tailored to their goals and circumstances. She believes in using education and story to empower people to make their own informed health choices. She strongly believes that bodies, minds, and spirit have the capacity to recover, heal and flourish.
Angela strongly advocates a multi-disciplinary team approach, so that people receive the optimal care from the most relevant resources and practitioners. She enjoys the sharing and learning opportunities with her peers and via professional development; and is passionate about promoting Continence and Pelvic Health within communities. This is why she is excited to be part of the HobartOBGYN team!
Outside of work, Angela loves her family and friends, experiencing and adventuring in nature, swimming, staying active, cooking, reading, design, film, travel, culture, community…and relishing moments of quiet.
Job Titles:
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Mel Nardi provides all general obstetric and gynaecological care, including preconception, antenatal and postnatal care, infertility, management of cervical screening abnormalities, prolapse, pelvic pain, menstrual disorders, vulval disorders and menopause.
She completed her training in Brisbane, spending over three years at Australia's largest maternity hospital, Mater Mothers, where she focused on obstetric ultrasound and the management of high risk pregnancies.
Job Titles:
- Endocrinologist
- Specialist Training
Michael graduated from the University of Tasmania with a Bachelor of Medical Science with First Class Honours and a Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery in 2012. He completed basic physician training at the Royal Hobart Hospital and subsequently specialised in Endocrinology, training at the Royal Hobart Hospital and Austin and Northern Hospitals in Melbourne.
Since completing his specialist training Michael has taken up Visiting Medical Officer roles at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Calvary and Hobart Private Hospitals. He is currently completing his PhD, funded by a prestigious National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Postgraduate Scholarship. Michael has received numerous prizes including the inaugural Tasmanian AMA President's Award for Excellence, the Tasmanian RACP Physicians Prize and RCPA Pathology Scholarship, Vice Chancellor's Leadership Award and the Tasmanian RACP Trainee Research Award (2014, 2018 & 2020).
Michael enjoys all aspects of Endocrinology, including diabetes, thyroid and parathyroid problems, osteoporosis and weight management. He has trained in obstetric endocrinology at the Royal Hobart Hospital (Hobart), Mercy Hospital for Women (Melbourne) and Northern Hospital (Melbourne). He has also worked with some of Australia's leading experts in medical weight management and osteoporosis at the Austin Hospital Endocrine Centre of Excellence. Since returning to Hobart, Michael has helped to establish a multidisciplinary weight management program at Your Health Hub and developed the Endocrine Metabolic Bone Disease clinic at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Michael is a keen educator and has held various competitive teaching posts with the University of Tasmania (Senior Lecturer and Examiner), Postgraduate Medical Council of Tasmania and Royal Hobart Hospital (Medical Education Advisor and Chief Registrar). He enjoys using these skills to help educate patients about their health, medical condition(s) and how these can be best managed.
Job Titles:
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Naomi Saunder is a very experienced gynaecologist. She has a special interest in pelvic floor disorders and has done advanced training in surgery for prolapse and urinary incontinence. She also has an interest in pelvic pain and is highly skilled in laparoscopic minimal access surgery.
We are excited to announce that she will be expanding her practice through Calvary and Hobart OBGYN to include private obstetric patients. She is accepting patients in a shared care obstetrician and Know Your Midwife (KYM) model of care.
Continuity is essential part of obstetric care. We will provide women and their partners the opportunity to form a close relationship with both their midwife and obstetrician to enhance the experience of bringing a child into the world. Dr Saunder has been privileged to be the Midwifery Group Practice's Medical Obstetric support whilst a staff specialist at the Royal Hobart Hospital. The model she offer will adapt to any additional medical needs that arise in the pregnancy.
Her training was undertaken in Melbourne at all three of the major Women's hospitals. General training at the Mercy and Royal Women's Hospital was followed by a Urogynaecology Fellow year at Monash Medical Centre. Her year at Monash particularly enhanced her understanding and management of the pelvic floor in pregnancy and during delivery. A fellowship year with the Gynaecology Oncology unit at the Royal Hobart Hospital started her journey in Tasmania.
Job Titles:
- Fellow of the Australian College of Obstetrician
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Peter is a Fellow of the Australian College of Obstetrician and Gynaecologists and University of Tasmania graduate who grew up in Tasmania before undertaking training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology here in Hobart, Western Australia and the United Kingdom. He has over 20 years experience as a specialist.
He returned to Tasmania to perform the first Laparoscopic Hysterectomy in Tasmania in 2002, with Dr Rupert Sherwood; along with specialised diagnostic screening and testing for fetal anomalies in pregnancy in the private and public sector which were previously unavailable.
He actively practices in general and high risk obstetrics, working at both Calvary, Hobart Private Hospital and the Royal Hobart Hospital. He continues to cover high risk obstetrics care for the state at the Royal Hobart Hospital for those women delivering before thirty four weeks in his role as an Honorary Visiting Medical Officer.
Peter has a keen interest in general gynaecology, laparoscopy, laparoscopic hysterectomy and prolapse surgery.
He has held many positions in the training of medical students, doctors and obstetricians and gynaecologists and is an examiner and acting committee member on many women's health committees.
He is known for his gentle manner and caring approach along with his ability to explain complicated issues in a simple and easy to understand manner.
He is married to Kerri, a midwife and has five children. He enjoys bushwalking, windsurfing, reading, riding his motorbike, travel and good food.
Dr Philippa Cannan is a clinical psychologist who works with both adolescents and adults. Having worked for 10 years on the Department of Psychiatry at the Royal Hobart Hospital Philippa is both comfortable and competent in working with individuals who present with major mental illnesses such as borderline personality disorder, schizophrenia, pain disorders, depression and anxiety using a range of therapies including CBT, ACT and DBT.
In addition to completing her undergraduate psychology studies and a Doctorate, Philippa has recently completed a Master of Youth Mental Health via the University of Melbourne. Philippa has a keen interest in working with adolescents with emerging mental health conditions, in additional to perinatal mental health conditions in order to lessen the impact these conditions can have on social, occupational and educational functioning.
At Hobart OBGYN Philippa primarily works with women with perinatal mental health conditions such as perinatal depression and anxiety, attachment issues and infertility. This also includes couples-based work in the perinatal period as well as postnatal depression in men. Philippa also works with women experiencing persistent pelvic pain including vaginismus and vulvodynia.
To further her knowledge and remain up to date with the latest research and treatments in persistent pain Philippa was recently awarded a scholarship to undertake further postgraduate training in pain science with the University of South Australia. Having worked in multidisciplinary teams in public hospitals over the past 10 years Philippa has a keen interest in providing multi-disciplinary. At Hobart OBGYN Philippa works closely with our physiotherapists and doctors to ensure holistic care, hence better patient outcomes.
Job Titles:
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
I commenced my career in health as a student nurse at the Royal Brisbane Hospital in 1987. As a 17-year-old, this was a very rewarding experience which enabled me to secure my passion for the health industry whilst also pursuing my other passion- sailing. After completing my nursing training, I worked as a Registered Nurse in the infectious diseases ward known as Wattlebrae which, amongst other things, was an inpatient service for HIV/ AIDS patients. During this time, I continued to sail and was fortunate enough to represent Australia in the 1993 and 1994 Olympic 470 class at the world titles. I also competed at state level in various international classes. In 1996 my brother, father and I operated a yachting chandlery and sail loft in Queensland. After rapid growth in the sailing loft, my family and I decided to sell the chandlery side of the business. The sail loft still operates to this day under my brothers' leadership. I returned to nursing in the hope of completing further studies to enable me to gain access to an undergraduate medical degree. My dreams were realised in 2000 when I commenced medical degree at the University of Newcastle. My girlfriend (now wife) and I relocated to Newcastle for 6 years and loved every minute of our time there. I continued to work as a palliative care nurse throughout my medical degree.
Once we returned to our home city of Brisbane in 2006, I pursued a career in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and was granted admission to the training program commencing January 2008. I worked in various large hospitals in Queensland during my first 4 years of training which enabled me to hone my skills further as a future consultant. It was in my fourth year of training as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist that I decided to pursue further study in the area of fertility.
By my fifth year of training my wife and I (and our two children) moved to Canberra to gain further valuable experience. We had our third daughter in Canberra. I was then able to secure a position as a Gynaecology Oncology registrar at The Royal Hobart Hospital for my final and sixth year of training. In 2013 I also completed my Masters of Reproductive Health.
I was fortunate to be asked to join the team at Tas IVF and Hobart OBGYN in my final year of training (2013). Since that time, I have been building my fertility, obstetrics and gynaecology practices with great fervour and passion. I briefly returned to sailing competing in the 2014 Sydney to Hobart with Dr Mike Pritchard aboard his yacht Audre finishing 8 th over all and being the first Tasmanian boat home. However, sailing has again been put on the back burner as my practice and weekend commitments to my children take over for a bit.
I have interests in advanced laparoscopy, fertility, general gynaecology and obstetrics. My plan for my practice is to be able to support women from teenage years through fertility, infertility, antenatal care and delivery. I have developed an interest in helping with pelvic pain, an area of medicine that has not been very well managed until very recently. In 2016 I spent time with Dr Susan Evans in Adelaide to learn about management of this condition including Botox into the deep pelvic floor. Chronic pelvic pain is a very complex problem that requires a team approach. Thankfully ,we have all of the specialists and paramedical experts in Hobart that we need to deliver a comprehensive treatment regime.
My family and I love this beautiful state and, after many years of travelling, are proud to call it home.
Job Titles:
- Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Steve Mokrzeki completed his Obstetrics and Gynaecology training and received his RANZCOG fellowship in 1998. He moved in 1999 to establish his practice and support the mothers and women of Townsville, Queensland. Steve has grown this practice since then developing an array of clinical experience. He has decided to move to Hobart to continue to deliver this care to the women and families in this area. He is passionate about his work and women's health which is shown with being a solo practitioner for over 20 years. Steve is excited to join the dynamic and supportive team at Hobart OBGYN who also share this passion and provide holistic care to the women of Hobart. Hobart OBGYN provide 24-hour care to their patients; an initiative he respects in order to provide accessible care to our clients.
Generalist Obstetrics and Gynaecology are Steve's main area of interest with a specialty in Invitro Fertilisation (IVF). In 2005, he was the co-founder of Monash IVF in Townsville, establishing a service in a regional area assisting men and women grow their families. Additionally, his areas of experience and expertise include looking after high-risk Obstetrics, advanced laparoscopic surgery, and all facets of fertility treatment.
Steve and his wife first fell in love with Tasmania many years ago during their holiday walking Cradle Mountain. They discussed one day moving to Tasmania and continuing their lives together. As their four children have grown up and established their own lives, this year, their dream has come to fruition. They are excited to relocate to a special place with breathtaking natural beauty. Steve feels fortunate he can use his experience and continue his work by joining Hobart OBGYN.
Steve has a great admiration for the women he treats and appreciates that at times, their experiences, whilst individual, may be difficult. He is excited to join Hobart OBGYN to assist in making each client's decision-making process a little bit easier and provide them the caring environment they require to reach their desired health outcome.
Emilie is a dietitian and nutrition consultant with over 10 years experience in specialist children's hospitals, hospital prenatal clinics, elite sports teams and local community charities and youth groups.
Emilie brings a depth of knowledge that ensures your nutrition needs are met from fertility through to pregnancy, breastfeeding and the many questions that come with introducing solids.
As a mum of 3 young children, Emilie translates research into practical information and advice to suit the busiest of households. Emilie is excited to join the team at Hobart OBGYN and is committed to working with our specialists to deliver a cohesive, comprehensive and safe service to our patients.
Jane has been a passionate Physiotherapist since 1988. She initially gained broad experience in acute care settings in both public and private hospitals in Brisbane, Perth, Canberra and Hobart. It was as a result of her time on the Calvary Maternity Ward (combined with the fact that she had three children of her own in three and a half years)! that Jane made a commitment to improve the quality of lives of women in their child bearing years. She returned to University in Melbourne to gain post graduate qualifications in the Management of Continence and Pelvic Floor Rehabilitation.
Since 2004, Jane has been the principle of the longest running Pelvic Floor Practice in Hobart, The Pelvic Floor Clinic, working exclusively in the areas of pelvic floor rehabilitation, continence, bladder, bowel and sexual dysfunction. In more recent years she has visited leading pelvic pain clinics around Australia to further her knowledge and develop expertise in the management of pelvic pain conditions including endometriosis, vulvodynia and vaginismus.
Throughout her career as a pelvic floor physiotherapist Jane has been committed to ongoing professional development. She has been a mentor to several other physiotherapists as well as providing many pelvic floor education sessions to the general community and other members of the medical fraternity.
Melissa made the move across Bass Strait to Melbourne in 2008 to complete her Bachelor of Physiotherapy at La Trobe University. She began her career working in Private practice and Orthopaedics, later transitioning into Sports Physiotherapy and Clinical Pilates. It was through her Pilates role and working with women of all ages that she developed a true interest in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy and Women's Health. Mel then went on to complete her Post Gradate Certificate in Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy. She has since been dedicated to furthering her skills and knowledge within this field, gaining experience working alongside pre and post-natal women, female athletes, women experiencing pelvic pain, and women transitioning through various stages of life. Mel has also worked alongside Gastroenterologists in Gut Health and multidisciplinary centres.