The Practice

Dr. Natalie Carroll

Natalie graduated with a degree in Medicine and Surgery MBBS (Hons) from Monash University in 2002. Natalie has experience working in both hospitals (Peninsula Health) and general practice settings in both metropolitan and rural regions. In 2006, Natalie became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). Natalie has always lived on the Mornington Peninsula and has dedicated over 15 years practicing in the region with special interests in women's health, child and adolescent health, mental health, preventative medicine, and travel medicine. Natalie enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, and cycling.

Dr. Pooja Kodakathi

Pooja completed her medical degree at Griffith University, Queensland in 2019. She spent her resident years rotating through various specialties at the Gold Coast University Hospital before moving to Melbourne in 2022 to commence training in the field of general practice. 

She enjoys all aspects of family medicine with a particular interest in pediatrics and preventative health care. 

Dr. Francis Ng

MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Francis is a specialist general practitioner. He was the senior ENT registrar at Peninsula Health from 2010 to 2020 and he worked as an emergency registrar for the following two years. He has done rotations in general medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, urology, and plastics & reconstructive surgery.

Dr. Francis’ special interests include managing epistaxis, tonsillitis, rhinosinusitis; removal of foreign bodies in the ear, nose, and throat; post tonsillectomy pain; micro-suction of ear waxes, otitis media, otitis externa and other ENT-related problems. He enjoys all aspects of general practice, especially managing paediatrics; family medicine; minor surgical procedures; laceration repair; skin cancer excision and emergency presentations.

Dr. Francis has won numerous prestigious awards, such as the Professor Jonathan Serpell Prize for Excellence in Surgical Research and Endeavour 2014; the Registrar Research Prize for Peninsula Health Celebrating Research 2015; and the Peninsula Health Service Award 2020. He has conducted a number of researches and presented the outcomes at conferences in New Zealand and other major Australian cities. He has published a number of articles in peer-reviewed journals and has been involved in reviewing articles for the American Academy of Paediatrics Journal and the Emergency Medicine Australasia Journal.

Dr. Francis is currently working as senior medical staff in Frankston Hospital at the Emergency Department and also runs the Clean Ears Clinic at Mornington ENT with Mr Jamie Priestley. He resides in Mount Eliza with his family and enjoys shopping and visiting cafes in Mount Eliza Village on weekends.

Dr. Kayal Valayapathy

I’m a passionate GP who enjoys working alongside my patients to achieve their goals while understanding that every individual has different health needs. I have worked in Victoria for 9 years including hospitals and clinics in Gippsland, Warburton, and southeast Melbourne. I enjoy all aspects of general practice with a keen interest in women’s and children’s health.

Dr Bill Kerlidis

Bill has been at the Village Clinic since May 2001

Bill enjoys the breadth and depth of general practice, managing the very young through to the very old and frail and all those in-between. The variety and unpredictability of medical problems seen each day, the daily conversations Bill has with patients all contribute to a satisfying day at work for him. 

Bill’s typical day may consist of solving diagnostic dilemmas, procedural medicine (e.g. contraceptive insertion, skin cancer removal, laceration repair, ingrown toenail surgery, fracture repair, joint injections, carpal tunnel injections and iron infusions), skin checks, management of chronic illnesses, managing musculoskeletal problems, disease prevention, restoration and maintenance of physical and spiritual well being, weight management,  antenatal care, and travel advice, just to name a few.

MBBS, FRACGP

Danielle Bowman

Bachelor of Applied Science, Master of Nutrition and Dietetics

Accredited Practising Dietitian

Danielle is passionate about the fact that healthy eating can greatly improve your sense of wellbeing, your quality of life and promote more healthful longevity.  Whether it’s contributing to management of a chronic condition, or proactively taking steps to improve your health and reduce lifestyle related disease risk – food, nutrition and lifestyle changes that suit your individual needs are both effective and empowering. As an Accredited Practising Dietitian, Danielle can work with your existing dietary patterns and guide you toward changes to assist with improving health and general wellbeing, reducing risk for certain health conditions and setting goals for weight management.  She can also work with you to improve management of existing and newly diagnosed conditions including cardiovascular disease, gastrointestinal conditions, diabetes and nutritional and dietary deficiencies.

Dr. Sommai Nguyen

MBBS, DCH, FRACGP, Clin Dip Pall Med

Born in Sydney, Sommai completed her medical degree at the University of Adelaide and attained her Fellowship in General Practice in South Australia. She then saw the light and moved to Victoria! She has a Diploma of Child Health and a Clinical Diploma in Palliative Medicine.

Sommai enjoys all aspects of family medicine and particularly enjoys getting to know her patients, their families and their community.

Her special interests include:
Women's health (including pap smears, fertility, contraception, Implanon insertions)
Sexual health
Children's health
Chronic disease management and prevention (including diabetes, heart disease, thyroid disease, autoimmune disease, weight management)
Palliative care
Skin health (including skin cancer removals and minor surgeries) and other procedures including joint injections, iron infusions

Outside of work, you'll find Sommai trying to go for jogs with her dogs, going for hikes and finding new recipes to try out at home.

Dr Jag Nandra

Jag has been at the Village Clinic since February 2005

Jag enjoys the variety which general practice offers. He is passionate about caring for his patients and believes in holistic care. Jag’s special interest includes chronic disease management (heart disease, diabetes, thyroid etc.), mental health, skin cancer medicine, men’s health, palliative care, travel medicine and minor surgical/musculoskeletal procedures and implanon insertion/removal.

Jag is a medical supervisor and clinical teacher for GP training registrars and 4th year medical students. Additionally he is also an examiner at the college of GPs.

MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Kelly Vlamakis

Kelly has been at the Village Clinic since May 2002

Kelly has a holistic approach to health and well being. Kelly enjoys all aspects of general practice, especially managing women’s health, mental health and maintaining physical and emotional well being

MBBS (Hons), FRACGP

Dr Luke Carter

Luke has been with the Village Clinic since January 2007

Luke lives locally with his amazing wife and four children.
He takes a holistic approach and enjoys the unpredictable and varied challenges that general practice offers.

Luke's special interests include chronic disease management, mental health care, skin cancer medicine, minor surgical procedures, travel health, mens health, injury and pain management, paediatrics, LGBTIQ health.

He consults regularly at a local retirement village. He has particular experience in the health of the elderly.

MBBS (Hons), BMedSci (Hons), FRACGP

Dr Anja Grunt

Anja has been with the Village Clinic since February 2014

Anja enjoys all aspects of general practice, especially managing women’s health, family medicine, travel medicine, and managing and promoting health and well being for her patients.

MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Patrick Renshaw

Patrick has been with the Village Clinic since February 2015.

Patrick previously worked as a sports and musculoskeletal Physiotherapist for 10 years prior to obtaining his medical degree. He has a keen interest in sports medicine, musculoskeletal injuries and rehabilitation. Patrick’s other interests include paediatrics, family medicine, advising on travel medicine, performing minor procedures, and managing health and well being for all stages of life.

MBBS, FRACGP, BAS (Physiotherapy)

Dr Joel Buikstra

BBiomedSc, GradDipEd, MD, DCH, FRACGP 

 After growing up on the Gold Coast, Joel moved to Melbourne to pursue his career in Medicine. He completed his training at The University of Melbourne and then spent 3 years at The Austin Hospital gaining experience in several specialty units before embarking on specialty GP training. Whilst in GP training, Joel also completed a Diploma of Child Health. 

 Joel enjoys all aspects of General Practice with a particular interest in paediatrics, chronic disease management, sports injuries, men’s health, and minor procedures. The continuity of care in the community is a particularly rewarding aspect of general practice for Joel. Outside of work, you’ll find him adventuring with his wife and little boy on hikes and camping, in the kitchen trying out new recipes, or trying to stay fit in the gym. 

Cynthia Cheah, Skin check Nurse

Melanographer

Cynthia has been with the Village Clinic since June 2013 as a Practice Nurse. After attaining her Certificate of Dermoscopy, she has been performing Skin Cancer Checks at the clinic since 2016.

Skin Cancer Check

Skin cancer checks are a proven method of detecting skin cancers early. Most skin cancers are effectively managed if detected early. In Australia, skin cancers account for around 80% of newly diagnosed cancers and Australia has one of the highest rates of skin cancers in the world (Source – Cancer Council Australia)Anyone can develop skin cancers, and the risk increases with age. There are many preventative measures which help in reducing your risks of developing skin cancers. It is worthwhile to book in for a full skin check.

Peter Thomas, Physiotherapist

Peter is a physiotherapist specialising in treating musculoskeletal, and sports injury conditions. Peter works closely with the doctors.

B. Sci, B.Physiotherapy

Dr Simmone Ryan

Dr Simmone Ryan is a registered clinical psychologist. Her experience in working with individuals has been accrued from a variety of settings including private practice, government-funded public organisations, university, and acute adult psychiatric care. She has a special interest in bipolar disorder, depression, and anxiety.

Simmone believes that fundamental elements in a working therapeutic relationship include mutual respect, transparency, and collaboration. She continually strives to provide a non-judgemental and safe space for clients. Treatment is tailored for the individual using evidence-based therapies, some of which include Mindfulness, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Schema Therapy, and Solution-Focussed Brief Therapy. 

B.BNSC, B.SC (HONS),D.PSYCH (CLINICAL),MAPS,FCCLP

Siel Vandeputte

Siel is an experienced physiotherapist with two Masters in Physiotherapy and Health Sciences. Practising for 10+ years, she has worked in various settings, including private practice, sports teams, community and aged care. Siel works with a holistic approach and is passionate about motivating you to reach your goals and empowering you to take control of your injuries or pain while keeping the journey as enjoyable as possible.

Areas of special interest:

• Chronic or recurring pain
• Nociplastic pain including fibromyalgia, CRPS, tension-type headaches
• Acute and chronic back and neck pain
• Osteoarthritis
• Acute and chronic knee and shoulder pain
• Frozen shoulder
• Women’s health / pelvic pain

When working with people with chronic pain, Siel uses an approach that goes beyond conventional physiotherapy. Chronic pain isn’t simply about the physical injury, but involves how the brain processes pain signals. Therefore, in her sessions, she focuses on retraining your brain to interpret these signals differently, helping to ease persistent pain and improve quality of life. This targeted approach is ideal for those who have tried standard treatments without relief, as pain gets addressed from the root in both the body and mind. When she is not at the office, you will find her in the ocean, surfing or diving, exploring the mountain ranges, or reading books about anything to do with health.

Qualifications
Bachelor of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy – 2010 Master of Rehabilitation Sciences and Physiotherapy, specialisation Musculoskeletal & Sports Physio – 2012
Master Specific Teacher Training in Health Sciences – 2013

Other trainings
Explain Pain Education & GMI certification
NLP practitioner
Mindfulness Meditation teacher Other

Languages
English, Flemish (Dutch), French