Our Practitioners
Everyone at Health & Wellbeing North Ward works on the Primary Health Care principle that health care is best obtained through the involvement of a multi-disciplinary team working together.
We therefore have Doctors, Registered Nurses, Health Workers, Receptionists, an Exercise Physiologist and a Dietitian, a Psychotherapist and a Psychologist, a Bowen Therapist, a Reflexologist, a Herbal Practitioner, etc.
We also work closely with PhysioNorth, a well-established Physiotherapy Centre, situated in the same building.
The Doctors
Dr Orna Scanlon, MB, BCh, BAO, BA (Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland), Diploma in Obstetrics & Gynaecology (Australia), MRCGP (UK), FRACGP.
Orna has been in Australia since 1996 where she worked in Rockhampton and then Townsville. In 2002 she moved to Leeds, UK, to work and complete her Membership of the Royal College of General Practice.
She returned to Townsville in 2005 where she joined the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service and stayed until 2007. She now works part-time with the Community Palliative Care at the Townsville Hospital and dedicates the rest of her working hours to offering high level medical care to the clients of Health & Wellbeing North Ward.
She brings to the practice expertise in Pediatrics, Women’s Health/Sexual Health, Dive Medicine and Palliative Care.
Dr. Katie Panaretto, MBBS, MPH, FAFPHM
Katie practiced in Sydney for a number of years but, driven to Townsville by her desire to serve disadvantaged communities, joined the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service in 1997. She stayed there till 2007 when she was hired by a regional Indigenous organization to coordinate programs at State level.
She brings expertise in Public Health, Women’s and Family Health, Indigenous Health and Pediatrics.
Dr. Imran Khurshid, MBBS, FRACGP, GCMA
Imran has lived and practiced in Asia and South Africa before arriving in Australia in 1999. While working at the Townsville Aboriginal and Islander Health Service, he attained the Fellowship to the Royal Australian College of General Practice as well as a specialization in Acupuncture from the Monash University, Melbourne. He is a member of the Australian Medical Acupuncture College.
He brings expertise in chronic conditions management, Acupuncture and Family Medicine.
Dr. Rebecca Gilbert, MBBS, FRACGP
A true Aussie, Rebecca has also become a Fellow of the College of General Practice in Townsville.
Apart from being a well-rounded General Practitioner, she brings expertise in Women Health/Sexual Health, Children and Indigenous Health.
Dr. Sarah Larkins, MBBS, MPH, FRACGP, FAGP
Another Aussie, Sarah is a part-time GP, full-time mother and
part-time academic involved in research and teaching at James Cook
University. She has several years' experience in General Practice and we are particularly proud to have her among our Doctors.
She brings expertise in Medical Research, Public Health, Children and Mothers, Women, Indigenous and Adult Health.
Dr. Paolo Morisco, MD, DTM&H, MNHAA, FRACGP
Paolo worked in General Practice in Italy and Bhutan before arriving in Townsville in 1999. He worked in Tropical areas and completed a Diploma in Tropical Medicine & Hygiene in Liverpool in 1985. In UK he also completed membership to the College of Phytotherapists in London, thus becoming a Herbal Practitioner and later a Member of the National Herbalists Association of Australia. He worked in Mental Health and is a level 2 provider of focused psychological interventions.
He brings expertise in General Practice, Mental Health, chronic conditions management, Herbal Medicine, diagnosis and management of skin cancer, couples counselling.
Dr. Michelle White, MBBS, MRACGP
GP Registrar
Michelle is the latest addition to our crew. She is young and energetic and has very quickly married the phylosophy and the routine of HWNW.
She was born in Papua New Guinea and has worked in remote Aboriginal communities as well as mainstream medical practice.
She is a Registrar and training to become a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practice.
The Specialists
Dr. Donna Gandini, MBBS, FRACP
Neonatal Paediatrician
Dr Donna Gandini is a North Qld local, born in Ayr and schooled in Cairns. She attended the University of Queensland in Brisbane for her medical degree, then returned to Cairns to work at Cairns Base Hospital for 6 years, including a year of anaesthetic training and three years of paediatrics. She was accepted into the paediatric training program in Brisbane and worked at the Royal Children's, Royal Women's, and Prince Charles Hospitals. Further rural paediatric training occurred at Mt Isa Hospital, Cairns Base Hospital and Royal Darwin Hospital.
Dr Donna came to Townsville in 2000 and worked in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit for three years, first as Senior Registrar, then consultant Neonatal Paediatrician after she was awarded her Fellowship in paediatrics in December 2000. Her main research area has been in the use of the laryngeal mask airway for neonatal resuscitation.
Donna commenced private practice in 2004 at the Mater Medical Centre. Donna completed the Specialist Re-entry training program in the subspecialty of Behavioural Paediatrics which includes ADHD and autism.
Her special interests include care of newborn babies, breastfeeding, and ADHD.
She is expected to join our Health & Wellbeing North Ward starting September 2008.
Psychiatry
Health & Wellbeing is actively seeking a Psychiatrist to hold weekly clinics for our client.
Watch this space!
Allied and Complementary Practitioners
Velda S Morisco, B Nursing, MPHTM, MMH Psychotherapy, MACA (Clinical)
Psychotherapist
Velda arrived to Psychotherapy after a long and rich professional experience in Nursing and Public Health in different countries around the globe.
She completed 2 Masters and a number of other courses to be where she is now, and takes her continuous professional education very seriously.
She brings expertise in one-on-one counselling, family therapy and group therapy.
Donna Howard BSExSc; AEP
Exercise Physiologist
Donna has several years experience in her field, and a specialty in diabetes and depression.
She consults at her own facilities when she is not here.
Diane Longstreet MPH, RD, APD
Registered Dietitian
Diane has become a Dietitian in USA and has now worked in Australia for a number of years.
Achamma Joseph
Registered Dietitian
Achamma also consults part-time as a Dietitian apart from working as a Nutritionist for the Townsville Hospital. She was born in India and contributes a cross-cultural approach to health and nutrition.
Karl Denman BPsych
Psychologist
Karl Denman is a Registered Psychologist. He is an experienced adult counsellor and psychotherapist having worked in Private Practice and for various counselling firms over the past 8 years. It is in this role that he has drawn the most satisfaction. He says of himself: “I have assisted individuals experiencing depression, anxiety and stress, anger management problems, grief and loss and workplace related issues. I have also assisted couples with relationship difficulties.”
He is familiar with a range of therapeutic modalities including Cognitive and Cognitive Behavioural therapy and insight based psychotherapy.
He also has experience at Child and Youth Mental Health (Townsville Mental Health Services, Queensland Health) where he works with children and their families. He provides general case management services, assessments, as well as specific individual therapy work with children. He is also a keen member of the family therapy team whose role is to provide family therapy services to our clients and their families. He has 6 years experience creating behaviour modification programs for children with difficult and challenging behaviour.
Jodie Lea Salter N.D.
B.Nat, Dip Bot.Med, Dip. Nut,
Registered Naturopath, Herbalist, Nutritionist
Jodie is a very well experienced Naturopath with specific knowledge in Herbalism and Nutrition.
She has worked for many years in NZ and here in Oz.
Judi Satish, DIP APP SC (CHIR) QIT
Podiatrist
Judi has joined us after many years of work in the public sector where she has gathered an impressive amount of experience working with the chronically ill at the Townsville Hospital.
Jill Whalley RN
Wellness Consultant, Bowen Therapist, Remedial Massage & Microcurrent rx.
Jill is a well-trained and experienced Natural Therapies Consultant with extensive knowledge in a number of healing practices. Apart from her main specialties in Bowen Therapy and Microcurrent, she advises on diet and nutrition. She also works at our practice as a Nurse.
Marlene Griffiths RN
Reflexologist
Marlene has been in Health for many years and has dedicated her life to serve people in need.
She is our Practice Manager and practices Reflexology when she is not Nursing.
Whenever you have a question nobody else is able to find an answer to, ask Marlene!!
Sylvia Hussey
Indigenous Health Worker
Sylvia has several years' experience in working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients in Queensland's rural areas and in Townsville.
She worked in Hughenden for many years and with TAIHS, in Townsville.
She works full-time at Health & Wellbeing.
