PLATINUM HEALTH GROUP - Key Persons
Alfonso Que is a passionate experienced podiatrist who graduated from Queensland University of Technology in 2006.
He has a focus on client care and provides professional services which meet patient expectations. He believes that client satisfaction is a gauge of performance and the motivation for achievement.
Currently, he is working closely with many general practitioners across Toowoomba and Brisbane
Craig has over 18 years experience working as a registered Psychologist in both public and private settings. His broad experience working with children, adolescents, and adults has equipped him with the skills to support clients with a range of diagnoses and needs, including, but not limited to anxiety, depression and adjustment issues.
Craig is a registered Psychologist and a member of the Australian Psychology Society.
Dr Huskisson graduated from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa in 1992. He then worked at Port Shepstone and Tygerberg Hospitals in South Africa before entering General Practice in 1994. In 1998, Dr Huskisson was appointed Medical Superintendent at Goondiwindi Hospital, before moving back into General Practice at Goondiwindi.
In 2000, he was appointed Medical Superintendent with practice rights at Cunnamulla, before moving to Toowoomba in 2005. Bertie joined the Platinum Health Group in early 2008, joining the board later that year.
He has special interests in general medicine, paediatrics, and skin surgery. He is specialised in circumcision (children up to 12 months), CASA aviation medicals, medicinal cannabis and bioidentical hormone therapy.
Dr Cormac Carey has now moved to the St Andrews Medical Centre. To learn more about Dr Cormac Carey, please visit the Platinum on North Medical Centre.
Dr Cormac Carey graduated in Dublin, Ireland in 1976 and has spent over 34 years at the Wilsonton Medical Centre practice, watching Platinum Health Group grow to the multi-site practice it is today.
Dr Cormac Carey enjoys all areas of general and family practice and is especially passionate about mentoring trainee GPs. He has visiting rights at both St Andrew's and St Vincent's Hospitals and is an active committee member at St Andrew's Hospital.
He has a special interest in travel medicine and is a foundation member of the Travel Medicine Alliance group, Australia's largest group of independent travel medicine clinics. Dr Cormac Carey holds a Certificate in Travel Health issued by the International Society of Travel Medicine.
Dr Carey has strong links with Occupational Health Medicine and holds both Coal Board and Railway Workers Certifications and provides occupational health services to many local Toowoomba businesses. He has a Queensland Health-approved spirometry practice and is accredited for hair drug analysis sampling.
Dr David McGillivray is a Canadian GP registrar and has lived in Australia for the past 12 years. Completing his initial medical training in Brisbane, Dr David McGillivray spent seven years working in hospitals along the Queensland Coast from Cairns to the Gold Coast before transitioning to GP training.
Dr McGillivray spent 4 years training in orthopaedics and had experience in trauma and musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr Porter graduated from the University of Queensland in 1980. He practised at the Redcliffe Hospital for 4 years where he spent extensive time in a busy Accident and Emergency department, and as a registrar, worked in Obstetrics and Gynecology, and Surgery and General Medicine.
He moved to a solo practice in Pittsworth where he spent 13 years looking after patients at the Pittsworth Hospital. All ambulance emergency attendances were brought to the hospital first prior to any transfer to Toowoomba.
In 1998, Dr Porter moved to the newly established Grand Central Medical Centre and then to the Wilsonton Medical Centre in 2002. which evolved into Platinum Health with the establishment of St Andrews Medical Centre in 2008.
Dr Porter enjoys the wide variety of medicine in general practice and the variety of people encountered in his work. More recently, he has been involved with the supervision of registrars and medical students, offering another dimension to medical practice.
Dr Kate Craft graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Queensland in 1993 (Hons). After graduation, she worked at the Nambour Hospital for three years and completed a CSCT in Women's Health. She commenced her GP training on the Gold Coast before moving to Toowoomba to complete her GP training at the Wilsonton Medical Centre in 1999.
In the same year, she achieved her Specialist General Practice qualifications becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practice. She moved her practice to St Andrew's Medical Centre when it opened in 2007 and is proud to have been working alongside some of the original "Platinum" doctors for over 20 years.
In 2023, she commenced practice at Platinum on North. She supports patients, manages their complex physical and mental health issues, and works collaboratively with allied health practitioners, where she feels privileged to have provided continuity of care to many families over the years.
Kate works part-time as a surgical assistant and in her spare time enjoys gardening, mountain biking and bushwalking.
Dr Kyle Johnston is no longer working at Village Medical Centre. Please call the Village Medical Centre to make an appointment with another Village Medical Centre GP.
Dr Botha is originally from South Africa. She qualified in 1990 as a Medical Dr from the University of Stellenbosch. After working in a hospital for a year she became a GP, running her own GP clinic in a small town, gaining lots of experience in all GP work.
In 2008, Dr Botha and her family emigrated to Australia and Dr Botha gained her Fellowship from the Royal Australian College of General Practice in 2010. She has worked in Loganholme and on the Gold Coast for over 15 years.
Dr Botha and her husband moved to Highfields in November 2023 to be closer to her son and 2 grandchildren. She enjoys a wide variety of practice. She is very experienced in weight loss and enjoys supporting patients in their weight loss journey. She is also qualified to carry out anti-aging injectables and cosmetic tattooing (permanent make-up). In her free time, she loves gardening.
Dr Michael Gordon graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Queensland in 1986. Michael has attained a post-graduate fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) and the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (FACRRM).
After graduation, he spent 9 years gaining rural generalist experience at Redcliffe, Logan and Caboolture Hospitals.
Dr Michael Gordon moved to the Darling Downs in 1996 as Medical Superintendent of Oakey Hospital, and simultaneously commenced General Practice in Oakey. Dr Michael Gordon joined the Platinum team in 2014, enjoying all aspects of General Practice at the Platinum On North Medical Centre.
Dr Michelle Dahl completed her medical studies at UQ in 1989, and in 1997 she became a fellow of the R.A.C.G.P. In 1999, she completed a Graduate Diploma in Rural General Practice, becoming a Senior Lecturer at the UQ Rural Clinical School in 2004.
Michelle has been with the group since 1994 and has special interests in women's health and paediatrics.
Job Titles:
- General Practitioner
- Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Along with being a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, Dr Muneezah Jamal also holds a Diploma in Children's Health from The University of Sydney and has attained the Certificate of Women's Health from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists having completed her training at Toowoomba General hospital.
Dr. Jamal feels passionately about all the aspects of General Practice from chronic disease management, preventive medicine, to Women's health and Paediatrics and is committed to offering holistic continuity of care to her patients.
Dr Logitharan obtained her medical degree in Sri Lanka and completed her internship at Northern Hospital in Victoria before permanently moving to Toowoomba.
Dr Neeraja Logitharan worked at Toowoomba Base Hospital for three years before joining Platinum Health Group in 2021. While working at the Toowoomba Base Hospital, Dr Neeraja Logitharan developed her passion for practising holistic and preventative medicine by treating the patient as a whole person.
Dr Logitharan enjoys seeing patients from all age groups with all health-related concerns. She has a special interest in both children's and women's health, skin cancer medicine, and is also a strong proponent of preventive medicine.
Dr Nick Meyers graduated from University of Queensland with an MBBS in 2002, having previously obtained a BSC from University of New South Wwales, and an MSC from the University of Wollongong. He obtained his RACGP fellowship in 2006, after completing his training at Wilsonton Medical Centre and Middle Ridge Medical Centre.
Nick enjoys all aspects of medicine - looking after women, men and children. He has an interest in complete family medicine, chronic disease management, skin cancer checks and surgery, acute presentations, and sports medicine. Nick completed a Graduate Certificate in Sports Medicine from University of Queensland in 2015.
Nick enjoys supervising medical students and GP registrars as they come through the practice, and is also an examiner for the RACGP Fellowship exams.
Dr Philip Stark graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Leeds UK in 1982. He has a Dip RACOG and is a fellow of the RACGP.
Dr Stark moved to Toowoomba in 1986 where he managed the Stenner Street Medical Centre from 1990 to 2011.
Joining the Platinum Health Group in 2012, Dr Philip Stark has interests in all aspects of General Practice. Dr Philip Stark is a Medical Educator and a Registrar Supervisor at Platinum On North Medical Centre.
Dr Richard Grundy completed his medical studies at the University of Queensland in 1980, has worked in the UK and attained skills in Psychiatry. In 1991 he established his GP practice in Toowoomba, joining the Platinum Health Group in 1997.
Richard has interests in Psychiatry and family medicine and is a long-term Visiting Medical Officer at Baillie Henderson Hospital, Toowoomba.
Dr Heffernan graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Queensland (UQ) in 2008. Before this, he completed a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) at UQ. Dr Heffernan spent additional time training in general medicine and emergency medicine as part of a Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice. He joined Platinum in 2012.
Joining the Platinum Health Group in 2012. Dr Heffernan takes a special interest in chronic disease management, mental health & medical education. He holds a Certificate in Sexual Health and Family Planning, Primary Care Skin Cancer Surgery and Clinical Education, and is currently completing a Master's in Clinical Education.
Dr Heffernan continues his academic affiliations at Griffith University, authoring their Master of Rural Medicine and coordinating the 4th Year Rural Longlook program.
Job Titles:
- General Practitioner & Chair PHG Board
Dr Roland Owen graduated from the University Of Wales College Of Medicine in 1998 and completed his RACGP training in 2005. After completing his studies, he trained in Cardiff before moving on to work and train in the Midlands in England. Roland came to work in Australia, spending a year in Logan followed by Melbourne before he made Toowoomba his home.
After returning to England and completing his GP training in the Bristol area, he and his soon-to-be wife immigrated permanently to Toowoomba. In 2006 Roland started working at Village Medical Centre where he continues to work today.
Dr Owen has served on the board of GP Connections (our local former division of General Practice) for Africa years and was Chair for the final two years.
Dr Owen has been involved in GP registrar training over the past ten years and has enjoyed being involved with the training and personal growth of many outstanding young doctors. He helped lead GP Connections to successfully partner with the Darling Downs Hospital & Health Service (DDHHS) to win the competitive bid to form the new PHN in our region. He was the inaugural Chair of the Darling Downs West Moreton PHN from 2015 to 2016.
Roland is passionate about improving healthcare at a regional and personal and is interested in chronic disease management and values the unique relationship GPs have with their patient as an imperative tool in healthcare today.
He also has a special interest in skin cancer surgery and has been honing his skills working as a surgical assistant with a General Surgeon in Toowoomba for the last ten years. Roland enjoys the breadth of care that he provides to his patients as a GP of any age.
Dr Roy Nicholls graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (Bsc Hons 1 ) from the University of Queensland in 2003. He has a fellowship with the RACGP and FRACGP and a Doctorate in Biochemistry (specialising in alcoholic liver disease). Dr Nicholls has worked in cardiac theatres at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane as a medical perfusionist (heart-lung machine during cardiac surgery and other surgeries), trained in Paediatric emergency before joining the Platinum team in 2013.
Dr Nicholls has a particular interest in general dermatology and skin cancer medicine and surgery. He currently lectures at the University of Queensland Rural Clinical School and is studying for a diploma in dermatology.
Dr Sean McIsaac is no longer working at Village Medical Centre. Please call the Village Medical Centre to make an appointment with another Village Medical Centre GP.
Dr Shirley Butler graduated from University of Queensland in 1993 and is a fellow of the RACGP. After completing her medical degree, Shirley worked in both the Queensland Health Public System and general practices around Queensland. Her placements included Taroom, Ipswich and Cooktown where she held positions such as Junior House Officer and Medical Superintendant.
Dr Susan Dragone achieved a Bachelor of Science in Biological Sciences with a concentration in neuroscience and behaviour from Cornell University, New York in 2011.
In 2015, Dr Susan Dragone received her MBBS from the University of Queensland-Ochsner program, whilst splitting her medical training between Brisbane and New Orleans, Louisiana. Dr Susan Dragone moved back to Australia and has worked in Brisbane and Tweed Heads before moving to Toowoomba.
Before attaining her FRACGP fellowship, Dr Susan Dragone worked at Toowoomba Hospital in various departments, including over 12 months exclusively in psychiatry and now enjoys the variety of General Practices.
Dr Tom Conaghan moved from Rockhampton to Toowoomba in November 2020 to be closer to his daughters and grandchildren. He was in General Practice in Rockhampton for 36 years and has a broad range of experiences, with special interests in skin cancer surgery, diseases of the skin, respiratory medicine and paediatrics.
He has performed Vasectomies for 34 years and uses the no-Scalpel Technique and has an interest in Anxiety and Depression and has attended several workshops on Acceptance and Commitment Therapy which has a focus on mindfulness.
After graduating from the University of Newcastle, James has worked in various clinics across Brisbane, Ipswich and the Lockyer Valley. This allowed him to gain invaluable experience and knowledge about what patients need to improve their lower limb health.
James has a special interest in nail surgery, sports podiatry and diabetic lower limb health as well as being qualified in various sports taping methods, dry needling and the use of orthotics in assisting patients to increase physical activity and quality of life.
Job Titles:
- Psychologist
- Registered EMDR Consultant
Karen Reid (she/her) was originally qualified as an early years teacher, before specialising in Specific Learning Difficulties. This was followed by an Honours and Masters degree in Educational Psychology and then ten years later a Masters Degree in Clinical Psychology from Univeristy of Southern Queensland.
Karen has experience working as a teacher, before moving into Learning Support, then became the Director of a multi-disciplinary team of therapists involved in the assessment and design of intervention programs for children.
After immigrating to Australia and working for Education Queensland for six years, Karen started a private practice in 2009. An area of interest for Karen is helping clients overcome the effects of trauma, adversity and neglect to lead a meaningful life.
In support of this role, Karen is a registered EMDR consultant and Internal Family Systems (IFS) Certified Therapist, Approved IFS Clinical Consultant and Level 2 trained IFS therapist.
Karen also uses Schema, CBT, Narrative and ACT therapies to dovetail with IFS and EMDR. Karen has been a casual lecturer at the University of Southern Queensland and now also provides supervision/consultation for other psychologists and health professionals.