Anaesthetists

Qualifications
MBBS, FANZCA, B.Sc (Phys) PGCertCU

Professional Biography
Dr Gerard (Gerry) Ariotti is a full-time Specialist Anaesthetist based in Brisbane.

A Queensland local, Dr Ariotti spent his formative years in Townsville before completing his secondary and tertiary education in Brisbane. He holds degrees in Medicine (MBBS 2002) and Physiology (BSc 1998) from the University of Queensland (UQ) and has completed further post-graduate training in clinical bedside ultrasound.

Dr Ariotti has significant experience in anaesthesia and other related fields. He has spent several years working in emergency departments both in Australia and the United Kingdom and has worked in retrieval medicine with Careflight (LifeFlight) and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). Dr Ariotti obtained his specialist qualification in anaesthesia in 2012 and has ongoing commitments as an advanced life support (ALS) instructor and teaching the next generation of doctors as senior lecturer in critical care medicine at UQ.

Dr Ariotti commenced in private practice in 2014 and enjoys working in anaesthesia across a broad range of surgical specialties, including orthopaedic, general, obstetric & gynaecological laparoscopic, ENT, maxillofacial, vascular as well as endoscopic procedures. His academic interests include teaching, ultrasound-guided regional anaesthesia, resuscitation and the management of trauma.

Outside of medicine, Gerry enjoys sport, exploring the great outdoors, and spending time with his wife and three young children.

Gerry prides himself on his attention to detail during your anaesthetic and will strive to make your experience of surgery and anaesthesia as pleasant as possible.

Qualifications
MBBS B.Pharm FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Liam Balkin is a Brisbane trained medical graduate of the University of Queensland and undertook the majority of his medical and anaesthetic training in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. After completing his anaesthetic training in 2010 with a trauma anaesthetic fellowship at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, Dr Balkin was admitted as a fellow of the College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA).

Dr Balkin continued his work at the Alfred Hospital as a staff specialist focusing on trauma and burns anaesthesia and fostering an interest in transfusion medicine.

Upon returning home to Brisbane, he recommenced work at the Princess Alexandra Hospital as a staff specialist performing mainly cardiothoracic and trauma anaesthesia. This experience at the PA Hospital has enabled him to advance his ultrasound knowledge including passing the American National Board exam for Perioperative Transesophageal Echocardiography.

Dr Balkin has Visiting Medical Officer positions at the Princess Alexandra and The Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) Hospitals and works in private practice at a number of private hospitals throughout Brisbane.

He has a broad anaesthetic practice including maxillofacial and trauma surgery, robotic-urological surgery and major revision orthopaedic surgery. Dr Balkin has presented at local, national and international conferences on anaesthetic related topics including trauma anaesthesia, burns management, airway and thoracic anaesthesia and transfusion medicine. He enjoys teaching and nurtures this interest in education at a student, junior doctor and registrar level.

Dr Balkin is currently an examiner for the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Final exams.

Professionally Dr Balkin has served on multiple hospital and organisational advisory committees. He is a current member on the Medical Advisory Committee for Mater Health Services and the current chair of the Combined Mater Anaesthetic Committee. He maintains his interests in subspecialty areas as an executive member of the ANZCA Trauma Special Interest Group and previous position on the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Medicines for the Therapeutics Goods Administration based in Canberra.

Dr Balkin spends the majority of his free time with his young family. He is an avid runner. Any surplus time is spent in search of the ultimate wave and snowboarding.

Dr Joseph Bauer grew up in Brisbane and attended the University of Queensland where he first obtained a degree in Biomedical Science (2008) before going on to complete a degree in Medicine and Surgery (2013). After several formative years as a resident doctor in Brisbane he went on to train in the specialty of Anaesthesia, obtaining fellowship with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 2022. During his training Dr Bauer worked throughout south-east Queensland including rural and remote settings before completing advanced and subspecialty training at the Princess Alexandra Hospital with a fellowship in anaesthesia for advanced airway and Ear, Nose and Throat surgery. He currently undertakes both private and public work and is employed as a Staff Specialist Anaesthetist at the Princess Alexandra hospital.

Dr Bauer prides himself on providing high quality anaesthesia for his patients throughout the entire surgical journey. He is committed to ensuring the experience is as smooth and comfortable as possible for all patients in his care.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Anton Booth is a specialist anaesthetist in private practice.

Dr Booth is a University of Queensland medical graduate and trained in Queensland. He completed his anaesthetic training in 2012 with a Fellowship in Anaesthesia at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. A highlight of Dr Booth’s training was receiving the Tess Cramond Award in 2010.

After admission as a Fellow to the College of Anaesthetists in 2012 (FANZCA), Dr Booth worked at the Princess Alexandra Hospital Department of Anaesthesia as a staff specialist and became a senior staff specialist in 2019. His main interest at the Princess Alexandra Hospital was anaesthesia for ENT/Head & Neck and difficult airway management, where he was the supervisor for registrar training.

Dr Booth began private practice in 2016. He practices a wide variety of anaesthesia but has extensive experience with ENT surgery, robotic surgery, colorectal surgery, urology, plastics and gastrointestinal endoscopic procedures.

Dr Booth also has an interest in research and received an Associate Professor title (University of Queensland) in 2021. His specific research interests involve advanced and difficult airway management, oxygenation techniques and anaesthesia for ENT surgery. Dr Booth has developed several novel techniques in these areas, which have resulted in multiple scientific journal publications. He is a reviewer for international anaesthesia journals and regularly presents at national conferences as an invited speaker.

Outside of anaesthesia, Dr Booth enjoys spending time with his family, coaching junior cricket, bike training and e-racing on Zwift and occasionally fishing.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Stephen Bruce obtained his medical degree from the University of Queensland, graduating with first class honours in 1988. He completed his Anaesthetic Fellowship in 1998 after training in Brisbane and the United Kingdom. He was awarded the Cecil Gray Medal for achieving the highest mark in the final Fellowship examination.

Dr Bruce worked as a Staff Anaesthetist at the Princess Alexandra Hospital for 4 years before commencing private practice in late 2001. His areas of interest include anaesthesia for Upper Abdominal, Obesity, Plastic and Gynaecological surgery. He is also involved in clinical undergraduate teaching at the Wesley Hospital. Dr Bruce has been a member of the Queensland Anaesthetic Regional Committee and has been involved in organising Queensland and National Scientific Meetings for both the College of Anaesthetists and Society of Anaesthetists.

When not at work, Stephen enjoys admiring mid-century furniture, playing the electric bass and bushwalking.

Qualifications
MBBS (Hons) (QLD) FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Scott Buntain is a full time Specialist Anaesthetist in private practice. Scott is an Old boy of the Toowoomba Grammar School (1982-1983) and Brisbane Boys’ College (1984-1986). Dr Buntain’s undergraduate medical degree (MBBS) was conferred by the University of Queensland in 1992. He graduated with First Class Honours and was awarded the Charles Mitford Lilley Memorial Prize for Surgery.

Dr Buntain commenced training in anaesthesia in 1996. This training incorporated posts at various Queensland hospitals, with three full years being spent at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) in Brisbane. Dr Buntain was awarded FANZCA in 2001 and accepted the position of Staff Specialist at the PAH in 2002. Dr Buntain moved into private practice toward the end of 2002 but remained a Visiting Medical Officer at the PAH until 2009.

Dr Buntain’s main areas of practice encompass the provision of anaesthetic services for Plastic Surgery, Urology, Orthopaedics, Gynaecology and Oncology, General Surgery, Gastroenterology and Ophthalmology. He has a broad general practice at all of the major Brisbane private hospitals and has a particular interest in the teaching of medical and allied health staff. He is an active participant of the ANZCA Maintenance of Professional Standards program and is a member of a number of ANZCA special interest groups.

Outside of anaesthesia, Dr Buntain’s main interests are golf, travel, music and gastronomy. He is married to Helen, a Paediatric Respiratory Physician based at the Wesley Hospital in Brisbane, has three teenage children, and two particularly cute sausage dogs!

Dr Buntain is committed to providing the best possible anaesthetic care to all of his patients.

Qualifications
MBBS (Qld) FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Adrian Chin attended primary and secondary school in Brisbane and received the Australian Student Prize for Excellence in 1993. He then completed his undergraduate medical training at the University of Queensland (1999). After residency at the Mater Hospital, he worked in the United Kingdom before returning to Australia to complete his anaesthetic training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital. Adrian works in both the public sector (specialist at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital since 2010) and private sector (where he has a busy practice at a number of hospitals around Brisbane). He is regularly involved in training other doctors and has been invited to speak at national and international conferences.

Adrian’s interests include acute pain management and the use of ultrasound technology to improve patient care, particularly in high risk settings such as heart or lung disease. In 2013 he was instrumental in setting up a service specialising in acute pain management using ultrasound-guided procedures (Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital). In recognition of this work, he was awarded the Professor William Egerton Surgical Research Award and the Queensland Health Excellence Award for fostering innovation in healthcare (2014). In 2016 he was awarded the Gilbert Brown prize by the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.

Outside medicine, he is passionate about music and travel. He is currently trying to learn the slide guitar.

Qualifications
MBBS (Hons II, Qld) FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Anthony Coorey is a Brisbane trained medical graduate who completed his FANZCA in 2001. During his training he was awarded both the Douglas Renton and Cecil Grey prizes for the highest marks in the Fellowship’s Primary and Final Examinations.

His special interests are anaesthesia for robotic surgery, day case surgery, exercise physiology and medical education. Professionally he has served terms as honorary treasurer of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) Qld division and National Healthcare Industry Liaison officer for the ASA and ANZCA. He has also served as Federal National scientific Congress Officer for the ASA. Dr Coorey has convened two National Scientific Congresses for the ASA and has sat on the Anaesthetic Advisory Committee at Greenslopes Private Hospital and the Anaesthetic and Medical Advisory Committees at the Mater Private Hospital. He has chaired the Quality Assurance Committee and is committed to Continuous Education and Quality Assurance Programs.

Dr Coorey is currently a senior final fellowship examiner for the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and Chairman of their Final Examination Sub-Committee responsible for the exit examinations that help ensure the high levels of patient safety and care that we enjoy in Australia.

His interests outside of anaesthesia are golf, horse racing and his family.

Qualifications
MBChB DCH FRCA FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Cowlishaw was educated in the United Kingdom obtaining his medical degree from the University of Birmingham in 1995. He gained general medical and paediatric experience before specialising and completed the diploma of child health in 1998. In 2007 Dr Cowlishaw obtained his specialist anaesthetic qualification both in the United Kingdom (FRCA) and Australia (FANZCA) and accepted a position as full time consultant anaesthetist at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane. In 2012 he reduced his public commitments to provide private healthcare.

Phil is a knowledgeable and conscientious anaesthetist with 20 years of clinical experience. He genuinely cares for his patients and strives to ensure that they have the best outcome. His particular interests are obstetric, orthopaedic, ophthalmic and regional anaesthesia. He provides counsel both to the Mater Hospitals and the Australian & New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) as an executive member of the Mater Medical Advisory Committee and Regional Anaesthesia Specialist Interest Group (RASIG). Dr Cowlishaw continues to participate in medical research and education as an honorary member of the Mater Medical Research Institute. His published work has helped develop innovative regional anaesthesia techniques to minimise pain after surgery.

Phil enjoys lecturing and teaching ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia at courses throughout Australasia and is regarded as a mentor and expert in this field by his peers.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA DA(UK)

Professional Biography
Dr Len Cox has practiced anaesthesia since 1995. He is graduate of the University of Queensland (1991), and after a few years in north Queensland and a brief surgical detour he started his first anaesthesia job in the UK. He completed anaesthesia training back home in Queensland, working in Brisbane, Ipswich, Cairns and a stint as a senior registrar at the Royal London and St Bart’s hospitals in the UK. After consultant locums in the Newcastle-on-Tyne and London areas and a period on staff at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, he started private practice in 2004.

His practice is varied and includes Urology, Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgery, Upper GI Surgery, Gynaecology, Dental, Eyes, Endoscopy and IVF. He has an interest in the basic sciences of anaesthesia and is an Associate Clinical Lecturer with the University of Queensland. Over time he has been involved with Primary Exam teaching, Medical Student examinations, and was a visiting specialist at RBWH for many years. He enjoys the combination of detailed clinical care, applied science and helping patients to achieve their desired surgical outcomes that anaesthesia provides.

His spare time is occupied with interests in astronomy, rugby, wine, cycling, and with his two fast-growing children.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA FRACGP DipRACOG

Professional Biography
Dr Colin Crowe has been in private practice since 2005. His practice involves a wide range of anaesthesia for most surgical specialties including eye, ENT, maxillofacial, oesophageal, gastric, hepatic, colorectal, oncogynaecological, obstetrics, urology (including robotics) and orthopaedics for upper and lower limbs. Dr Crowe has particular interests in all types of laparoscopic surgery including oesophagectomy and in joint replacements for shoulders, hips and knees.

Dr Crowe undertook the majority of his anaesthetic training at Princess Alexandra (PA) and the Mater hospitals in Brisbane. He has been actively involved in registrar training at the PA hospital and presented at national scientific conferences. Prior to his career in anaesthesia Dr Crowe worked as Senior Medical Officer for the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Cairns and Alice Springs specializing in remote emergency aeromedical retrievals and aboriginal health.

In addition to his Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists, Dr Crowe has attained the Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and Diplomas in Obstetrics, Aviation and Diving medicine.

Dr Crowe is married with two daughters progressing into their secondary school education. When not supporting their numerous sporting and academic activities he enjoys family holidays at the beach or skiing. He loves to go for a run and even sneak in some surfing, paragliding, kite surfing or fly-fishing when time permits.

Qualifications
MBBS(UQ) FANZCA Grad Dip Critical Care Echocardiography (Melb Uni)

Professional Biography
Dr Dilda is a Consultant Anaesthetist who began private practice in 2010. Mark graduated from the University of Queensland in 1990 and worked in a wide range of medical settings including rural hospital practice, rural general practice, emergency medicine, and non-specialist ICU/CCU medicine, before embarking on specialist anaesthesia training in 2006.

In his early career Mark combined a public practice providing cardiac anaesthesia services with his private anaesthesia practice. He now works exclusively in the private sector and has a broad practice working with Urologists, Gynaecologists, Gastroenterologists, Orthopaedic, Plastic, ENT, Maxillo-facial and General Surgeons.

Mark is committed to Narcosia’s ideal of improving anaesthetic quality and safety, while striving to make the experience of anaesthesia and surgery as pleasant as possible.

Mark’s interests away from the hospital include golf, reading and all things aquatic.

Professional Biography
Dr Gerard Eames completed his medical training at the University of Queensland in 2009. After completing residency at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane he spent 12 months working in intensive care medicine before pursuing specialist training in anaesthesia. Gerard completed a fellowship in neurosurgical anaesthesia at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital and obtained his FANZCA in 2017.

Gerard enjoys working across a broad range of surgical and interventional specialities, with interests in major gastrointestinal surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecological surgery, and head and neck surgery. He is also experienced in acute pain management, regional anaesthesia and the use of ultrasound guided procedures to improve patient care.

Gerard maintains a public appointment at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital where he is active in quality and safety activities, perioperative medication management, and the education of doctors training in anaesthesia. In his spare time he enjoys keeping fit with running, weight lifting and learning to play guitar and drums.

Professional Biography
Dr Edwards graduated MBBS University of Queensland in 1983 and began anaesthetic training at the Royal Hobart Hospital in 1986, transferring to the Royal Brisbane Hospital based rotational training scheme in 1987. Upon completion of the fellowship exams in 1989, his training was completed with the provisional fellowship year (PFY) in 1990 at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and at Addenbrooke’s Hospital, Cambridge, UK.

In 1991, Dr Edwards returned to a fulltime consultant position at the Royal Brisbane Hospital, including the Royal Women’s and Children’s Hospitals. Midway through 1991, he began private practice.

In the early years of private practice, Dr Edwards was involved with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) Qld Regional Committee, state and national meetings, registrar training courses and continued as a VMO at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s hospital, Royal Children’s and the Mater Children’s Hospitals. In more recent years of practice, he has been involved with the Narcosia executive, finishing as chairman in 2014. Throughout his practice Dr Edwards has maintained an interest in paediatrics, obstetrics and major cases. He is a member of various supporting ANZCA Special Interest Groups (SIGS), Society of Paediatric Anaesthetists New Zealand and Australia (SPANZCA), Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) and the AMA.

In 2021 Dr Edwards celebrated 30 years of private practice. During this time, he has witnessed a great deal of change, but remains committed to the consultant based care model and continues to enjoy the responsibility and satisfaction of providing peri-operative care to a high standard on an individualised basis.

Qualifications
B.Med.Sc, MBBS, Grad Cert Ed (Health Sciences), FANZCA

Professional Biography
Educated at Mayne Medical School University of Queensland, Dr Liz Hampson went on to receive postgraduate training in Anaesthesia at Royal Brisbane Hospital and Ipswich General Hospital.

Dr Hampson has been in private practice since 1994. She was a Visiting Specialist at Royal Childrens Hospital from 1994-2002 and from 2005-07 furthered her skills as a Senior Staff Specialist at Royal Adelaide Hospital.

Dr Hampson’s areas of interest include anaesthesia for upper limb surgery, gynaecology, plastics, ophthalmology, dental surgery and gastroenterology.

In her downtime, she prioritises time with her family and pursues her love of music.

Qualifications
MBBS(Lond) FRCA FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Aled Hapgood graduated from St George’s Hospital Medical School, London, UK in 1996 (MBBS). He gained his UK Fellowship in Anaesthesia in 2005 (FRCA) in the South West Thames deanery, London and completed a paediatric and obstetric anaesthetic Fellowship at the Mater Hospitals, Brisbane in 2006. He returned to Australia to work in Brisbane in 2008 and in 2009 he was awarded his Australian and New Zealand Fellowship in Anaesthesia (FANZCA) and accepted an appointment as a staff specialist in anaesthesia at the Mater Hospitals, Brisbane. Dr Hapgood currently holds a part time senior staff specialist appointment at this institution.

Dr Hapgood is a supervisor of training for the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and is also a senior lecturer with the University of Queensland Faculty of Medicine. He has examined for the Faculty of Medicine and, when required, for the Queensland Anaesthetic Rotational Training Scheme.

Dr Hapgood has engaged in private practice in the Brisbane area since 2010 and in 2018 he began using the services of Narcosia Anaesthetic Group. He enjoys working in most of the anaesthetic subspecialties and is particularly interested in high risk obstetrics and in-utero foetal surgery. He is proud to have been the anaesthetic specialist with the team performing Australia’s first in-utero spina bifida repair at the Mater Mothers’ Hospital, Brisbane in 2016. He continues to work with the team as the only unit in Australasia providing this service.

Outside of work, Dr Hapgood enjoys rugby union, all forms of fishing and spending time with his wife and children.

Qualifications
MBBS, MPH&TM, FACRRM, FANZCA

Biography

Dr Max Hatton is a full-time specialist Anaesthetist based in Brisbane.
Dr Hatton grew up in rural and regional Queensland before completing his medical degree at James Cook University in 2012. Following his resident years, he progressed to work in rural Queensland where he attained the Fellowship of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine whilst simultaneously completing a Master of Public Health and Tropical Medicine. His passion for Anaesthesia drew him back to Brisbane to complete specialist anaesthetic training through various major hospitals in Brisbane, including a provisional fellowship year at the Mater Hospital.
Dr Hatton now works publicly as a specialist Anaesthetist at the Mater Hospital and in private practice across multiple hospitals. He is involved in Anaesthesia for a broad range of surgical specialties but has a special interest in obstetrics and gynaecology, ENT, endoscopy, orthopaedic and regional anaesthesia. He is actively involved in the teaching of anaesthetic trainees, especially in the areas of ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia, point of care ultrasound and peri-operative medicine.
He is committed to the improvement of anaesthesia quality and safety, whilst aligning this to improving the patient experience and comfort.
Dr Hatton is married with two young daughters. His time away from work is spent with family, running, cycling and many trips to Bunnings.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Luke Heywood completed his medical training at the UNSW in 2007. The lure of the Sunshine State bought Luke and his family to Brisbane to commence his medical career in 2008. He completed his Specialist Anaesthetic Training at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital in 2015. Luke now enjoys a busy and broad anaesthetic practice in both the public (Staff Specialist Anaesthetist at the RBWH, 2015 – Present) and private sectors.

Throughout his professional life, Luke has maintained a strong interest in the use of ultrasound at the patient’s bedside to facilitate effective, efficient and precise clinical assessment and care. He is passionate about the role of education in growing and equipping developing health systems to stand independently and sustainably. This passion led Luke to become involved with the development work of AusHEAL (www.ausheal.org.au) in the Democratic Republic Congo on an ongoing basis since 2017.

In his day to day clinical practice, Luke enjoys the privilege and challenge of providing high quality care tailored to the needs of the individual patient and their surgical procedure. Luke is married with three school aged children. When not working Luke enjoys being in the company of family and friends, and adventure and exercise of all sorts in the great outdoors. After being inspired by his children’s musical progress (and the Grigoryan Brothers!) Luke has taken up trying to learn how to play classical guitar.

Qualifications
MBBS (UQ), MMed (Monash), DTM&H (Mahidol), FANZCA

Professional Biography
Commencing private practice in late 2010, Matt Howes provides anaesthetic care in private practice for a wide range of procedures, whilst maintaining a part-time public consultant appointment at the Mater Hospitals, Brisbane.

Dr Howes graduated from the University of Queensland School of Medicine in 1996 and maintains his affiliation as a senior lecturer. Early career interests in intensive care and infectious diseases led to studying in Thailand for a tropical medicine qualification. However, he was dedicated to anaesthesia and, with placements in Cairns, throughout Brisbane and also England, he completed training with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 2005. A specialist anaesthetist appointment at the Mater Hospital South Brisbane ensued, with particular interests in high-risk obstetrics, oncology and acute pain management along with Supervisor of Training roles for ANZCA.

2009 was a watershed year, spent with his family in Vanuatu, working as the sole anaesthetist at Vila Central Hospital for 12 months under the auspices of AusAID. Short volunteer trips to assist have continued annually.

More recently, Matt has completed qualifications in clinical ultrasound (UMelb) and a Masters of perioperative medicine from Monash University. He is dedicated to assist the team to provide the best possible perioperative outcomes for his patients in a manner characterised by humility, kindness and confidence. The ever-evolving demands of family happily dominates life outside of work.

Qualifications
MB BCh FFARCSI FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Susan Humphreys graduated with a degree in Medicine from University of Dundee in 1995 and followed on to become a Specialist in Anaesthesia in 2008 in Northern Ireland. She then moved to Australia and completed fellowships in Paediatric Intensive Care and Paediatric Cardiac Anaesthesia at the Mater Children’s Hospital, Brisbane and Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne and was admitted to fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 2011.

Dr Humphreys is a member of the ASA (Australian Society of Anaesthetists), ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists) and SPANZA (Society of Paediatric Anaesthetists New Zealand and Australia) and has been in private practice since 2011.

Currently Dr Humphreys provides anaesthesia services for both children and adults in metropolitan Brisbane and holds a part time appointment as a Senior Anaesthetist at Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Her academic interests include a special interest in paediatric airway management and Dr Humphreys has pioneered the use of a novel oxygen delivery technique in paediatric airway practice. She is currently enrolled in a PhD at The University of Queensland and her work has been presented at both national and international conferences. Dr Humphreys maintains an active role as the lead paediatric anaesthetist in the Paediatric Critical Care Research Group, Brisbane.

Outside of hospital life, she will be found at triathlon events supporting her very active family, swimming or walking her dog.

Dr Allan Hurley moved to Brisbane in 2006 to attend the University of Queensland where he completed bachelor’s degrees in Science (2008) and Medicine (2012). He began his anaesthetic training in 2016 and, after a provisional fellow year (PFY) in vascular and general adult anaesthesia at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, he obtained his specialist qualification and began private practice in 2021. In addition to his private practice, Allan continues to work as a specialist in the public sector at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

Allan’s professional interests include regional anaesthesia, point of care echocardiography and post-operative anaesthetic care. He is a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists (ASA) and the British Society of Echocardiography (BSE). He holds post-graduate qualifications in ultrasound from the University of Melbourne and is an associate lecturer at the University of Queensland.

Outside of his medical career Allan is a keen golfer and enjoys camping and fishing with his family and friends.

Allan’s focus is to use his training to make you as comfortable as possible in the lead up to, during and after your procedure. He looks forward to providing you with the best possible anaesthetic care.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Matthew Kelso is a Specialist Anaesthetist with a comprehensive anaesthetic practice throughout the Brisbane metropolitan area. He provides services for urological, general and plastic surgery, orthopaedics, gynaecological, ophthalmic, gastroenterology and obstetric procedures. He has a particular interest in regional anaesthesia for upper limb surgery, obstetric and robotic surgical procedures.

Dr Kelso received his medical degree (MBBS) at the University of Sydney and graduated with Second Class Honours in 1997. He commenced anaesthetic training at Royal North Shore Hospital (in Sydney) in 2000. He saw the light, married a Queenslander and moved to Brisbane in 2004 where he completed his fellowship year at the Mater Hospital Brisbane. In 2005 he was appointed as a Staff Specialist Anaesthetist at the Mater Hospital Brisbane. Dr Kelso began private practice in 2008 and now works full time in private practice. He remains a Visiting Medical Officer at the Mater Adults and Mothers Hospital.

Dr Kelso participates diligently in the Continuing Professional Development activities of the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists and assists by lecturing anaesthetic registrars preparing for their primary exams.

Matthew is married with three school aged children. His personal interests include golf, attending his children’s school sports, beer appreciation, home maintenance and landscaping.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Graham Mapp graduated from the University of Queensland in 1990. Following post-graduate training at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane, Gold Coast Hospital, Toowoomba Hospital, Princess Alexandra, and Prince Charles Hospital, he was admitted to Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 2000.

Since 2000, Graham has worked as a Specialist Anaesthetist, predominantly in private practice in Brisbane and currently holding privileges in anaesthesia in Northwest Private Hospital, St Vincent’s Northside Hospital, Brisbane Private Hospital, St Andrews War Memorial Hospital, The Wesley Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, Sunnybank Private Hospital, The Mater Private Hospital, The Mater Private Children’s Hospital, Queensland Eye Hospital, Pacific Day Hospital, and Spring Hill Specialist Day Hospital. Graham is also a visiting medical officer to the Queensland Children’s Hospital.

Graham provides anaesthesia and acute pain management services for a range of surgical specialties including orthopaedic surgery, general and laparoscopic surgery, obstetric and gynaecology services and surgery, breast cancer and breast / endocrine surgery, ENT surgery, dental surgery, plastic surgery, vascular surgery and urological surgery. He has a particular interest in paediatric anaesthesia and paediatric surgery.

Graham is a member of the ASA (Australian Society of Anaesthetists) and is currently a member of the Qld ASA committee and the Economics Committee. He is also a member of the ANZCA (Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists), the AMA (Australian Medical Association), the SPANZA (Society of Paediatric Anaesthetist Australia and New Zealand) and the ESA (European Society of Anaesthetist). Graham was chairman of the anaesthetics committee for Brisbane Private for ten years and continues to be involved in anaesthetic committees for Brisbane Private and St Vincent’s Northside Hospitals. He has a key role in paediatric services and the education of staff in his attending hospitals.

Graham believes in making every anaesthetic experience a positive one. He utilises music and video techniques to reduce anxiety and will individually optimise your anaesthetic to achieve the best results. He welcomes feedback and is happy to address any concerns you may have.

Qualifications
MBBS BSc PGCertMedEd FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Claire Maxwell graduated from the University of Queensland School of Medicine in 2011. She undertook her postgraduate training in anaesthesia in Queensland and recently completed her fellowship. She has an interest in anaesthesia for paediatric and obstetric patients and completed her provisional fellowship in these subspecialties at the Queensland Children’s and Mater Hospitals. Claire currently works as a staff specialist at the Mater Hospitals, Brisbane. She has a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education and is actively involved in the supervision and teaching of anaesthetic trainees, junior doctors and medical students.

Dr Maxwell began private practice in 2020. She enjoys working in a broad range of subspecialties including the provision of anaesthesia for obstetric surgery, general and laparoscopic surgery, plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT surgery, gynaecological surgery, urological surgery and the delivery of procedural sedation. Claire also has additional clinical interests in facilitating sedation and anaesthesia for people with complex care needs and the provision of regional anaesthesia.

Qualifications
MBBS (hons), FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr McAndrew grew up in far north Queensland before studying medicine at the University of Queensland. He then undertook training to be a Specialist in Anaesthesia in various locations throughout Queensland before completing a fellowship in Cambridge, UK, specialising in transplantation and neuroanaesthesia.

Dr McAndrew commenced private practice in 2004. He remains a VMO in public practice at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, as well as having a busy private practice at multiple Brisbane hospitals across a range of different surgical specialties.

Dr McAndrew has a commitment to continuing medical education. He is a regular attendee and presenter at courses, conferences and quality assurance meetings. He teaches medical students, junior doctors and anaesthetic registrars at a number of Brisbane hospitals. Dr McAndrew lives with his wife and three children and enjoys reading, jogging and hanging out at the beach.

Qualifications
BSc MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Libby McLellan completed her medical degree at the University of Queensland in 2009 and undertook junior medical training in southeast Queensland. Dr McLellan’s special interest in complex airway management led her to pursue an Airway Fellowship at The Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, where she has been a Staff Specialist since 2017. Dr McLellan went on to complete a further subspecialty fellowship in ultrasound and regional anaesthesia in Toronto, Canada in 2019.

Dr McLellan’s practice includes a wide range of anaesthesia for most surgical specialties including orthopaedics, ENT, maxillofacial, general surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology. Patient safety and comfort are of utmost priority within her practice. Her public appointment at RBWH allows her to pursue her interests in medical education and quality and safety projects. Dr McLellan proudly Co-Chaired Queensland’s SWAPNet Difficult Airway Alert Working Group which produced a Difficult Airway Alert that has subsequently been adopted throughout Australia.

Outside of work, Dr McLellan enjoys spending time with her family and takes pleasure in social fitness pursuits such as running and cycling.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Doug McEwan is a specialist anaesthetist with an interest in anaesthesia for upper gastrointestinal surgery.

He has served as an examiner for the final fellowship examination of the Australian and New Zealand college of anaesthetists and was awarded the Cecil Grey prize for the Anaesthesia final exam in 1992.

He has served on multiple hospital anaesthesia committees and is past chair of the board of directors of the Narcosia Anaesthesia Group. He has served in both the Army and RAAF reserves. He is a graduate of the university of Queensland.

Qualifications
MB ChB FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Nick McKevitt grew up and studied medicine in the UK before migrating to Australia in 1991. He completed his Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetist (ANZCA) training at the Royal Brisbane, Children and Women’s Hospitals and in 1996 completed a fellowship year in cardiac anaesthesia.

After completing his specialist training, he worked at The Prince Charles Hospital where he published a study on “Awareness in cardiac surgery” in The British Journal of Anaesthesia. After qualifying as a consultant in 1997 he gained a Visiting Medical Officer position at the Princess Alexandra Hospital in cardiac anaesthesia and in the same year began private practice in Brisbane.

Dr Nick McKevitt is interested and experienced in all forms of anaesthesia and acute pain management, particularly gynaecology, bariatric, dental and cancer surgery. He is accredited and visits most of the private hospitals and day surgeries in Brisbane and the surrounding area.

Outside medicine he enjoys the outdoors, particularly mountain bike riding and being on the water. Most of all he enjoys being with his wife, four children and three dogs.

Qualifications
FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Phillip Melksham studied at the University of Queensland and obtained an Engineering Degree (Hon) in 1985. His enthusiasm and involvement in biomedical equipment design led him to Medicine and he completed his Medical Degree in 1993. After working for 6 years in Intensive Care, Phil went on to complete his Fellowship in anaesthesia with the Australian and New Zealand Anaesthetic College in 2008 at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane.

Dr Melksham has been an anaesthetist in private practice since 2008. His areas of anaesthesia practice include orthopaedics, gastrointestinal surgery, urology, ophthalmology, breast & endocrine surgery, dental surgery, gynaecological and reproductive women’s health, endoscopy and obstetric anaesthesia. Extending his ongoing interests in biomedical equipment design, Dr Melksham has developed a comprehensive practice in regional anaesthesia for orthopaedic, obstetric and gynaecological surgery.

Dr Phil enjoys his work as an anaesthetist, appreciating both the human contact he has with each patient and the technical nature of this area of medicine. In particular he values the trust his patients place in his care. Outside of medicine and his family, he spends his time in his boat chasing the elusive flathead and mangrove jack, as an enthusiastic golfer or designing a new piece of medical equipment.

Qualifications
MBBS (Hons) FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Rachel Ng completed her medical degree at Monash University in Melbourne in 2006, graduating with first class honours. She undertook her specialist training in anaesthesia at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne where her areas of interest were in trauma and perioperative anaesthesia. Upon returning home to QLD in 2013 to be closer to family, Rachel completed a fellowship in upper gastrointestinal anaesthesia at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. She was awarded her FANZCA in 2015 and took up an appointment as a full-time staff specialist at the PAH that same year. In 2017 Rachel undertook a further fellowship in upper gastrointestinal anaesthesia at Queen Mary Hospital in Hong Kong.

Rachel commenced private practice in 2016 and has used the services of Narcosia since 2018. She continues to work as a consultant anaesthetist at the PAH where she is the supervisor of training for Upper GI anaesthesia and is actively involved in teaching anaesthetic trainees and medical students. Her broad spectrum of anaesthetic practice includes trauma, upper gastrointestinal, urological, plastic, reconstructive, transplant and hepatobiliary anaesthesia. Rachel enjoys tailoring an anaesthetic to individual needs and is looking forward to being part of the team caring for you on the day of your surgery.

Qualifications
MB ChB FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Jarrod Ngan completed his undergraduate medical degree from the University of Otago and underwent anaesthesia training in Queensland. Since 2013 he has worked in private practice.

After completing specialist training, he worked in the public sector full time for 8 years, during which time he was a college supervisor of training, mentoring and assessing registrars. He also helped establish the simulation program, allowing registrars to learn resource management and effective communication during anaesthesia crises. Dr Ngan also held an interest in ultrasound guided regional anaesthesia, collaborating in a multi-centre registry and providing paravertebral anaesthesia for patients with painful rib fractures.

He practices in most areas of anaesthesia, with a special interest in eye, ear nose and throat, urological and paediatric anaesthesia. His primary goal is to achieve patient focused, ethical practice of anaesthesia.

Outside of medicine Dr Ngan is dedicated to achieving work/life balance, devoting his time to his young family, friends, travelling and road cycling. Dr Ngan looks forward to working with you to achieve the best possible outcome for your anaesthetic.

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Anthony Ringuet began private practice in 2006. His practice covers a broad range of subspecialities including plastic and reconstructive surgery, ENT surgery, hepato-pancreato-biliary and upper gastrointestinal surgery, colorectal surgery, endoscopic interventions and fertility procedures.  

Professional Biography
Dr Russell graduated MBBS, from the University of Queensland in 1983 with honours. He completed his internship at the Princess Alexandra hospital, and then spent 12 months at Roma Hospital as a medical officer as part of his bonded scholarship, where he consolidated his interest in anaesthesia.

Dr Russell returned to Brisbane to commence specialist training. The majority of this was in Queensland hospitals, though he was fortunate to participate in a 12 month registrar exchange that allowed him to work at Exeter in the UK.

After obtaining his fellowship in anaesthesia, Dr Russell spent his provisional fellowship year at St Vincent’s in Melbourne, gaining experience particularly in neurosurgical, vascular and regional anaesthesia.

Dr Russell returned to Brisbane commencing private practice in 1991. He has an interest in the post graduate training of registrars and has recently completed 12 years as an examiner for the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists. He has served on several hospital anaesthetic committees and has a special interest in quality and safety. His ongoing interest in the humanities, particularly fiction, theatre and Australian contemporary art, continues to influence his practice and is an integral component of teaching of medical students and registrars.

Dr Russell is cognisant what a privilege it is to provide perioperative care to patients on a daily basis and continues to refine his anaesthetic practice so as to provide the highest level of respect, empathy and expertise.

Dr Ashton Speed graduated from James Cook University School of Medicine in 2011. She undertook her post- graduate training in anaesthesia in Far North and South East Queensland. Ashton has an interest in the provision of anaesthesia to paediatric and obstetric patients. Ashton furthered her skills in these sub-specialist areas through completion of additional fellowship training at the Queensland Children’s Hospital, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne and Mater Adults and Mother’s Hospital Brisbane. Ashton also the values the role that an anaesthetist places in the perioperative optimisation and enhanced perioperative outcomes of their patients. She works collaboratively with her medical and surgical colleagues to ensure her patients have a safe and positive perioperative journey. To further her knowledge and skills in this area, Ashton has completed a Post-Graduate Diploma in Perioperative Medicine through Monash University.

Dr Speed has an interest in clinical education and holds a public appointment as a staff specialist at GCUH where she engages in teaching and training of trainee anaesthetic doctors and medical students.

Dr Speed has been in private practice since 2021. Her areas of anaesthesia practice include paediatric anaesthesia, ENT, orthopaedics, gastrointestinal surgery, urology, ophthalmology, breast & endocrine surgery, dental surgery, gynaecological and obstetric anaesthesia. Outside of her medical anaesthetic practice, Ashton enjoys being outdoors, keeping active and fit and most importantly spending time with her husband and children.

Dr Speed looks forward to being part of the peri-operative team looking after you and making the process as easy and as safe as possible.

Qualifications
MBChB, DA, FANZCA, PGDipEcho

Professional Biography
Dr Van der Westhuizen undertook his specialist anaesthetic training in Queensland after working in South Africa and England.

He obtained fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) in 2007 and was awarded a certificate of merit in the final examinations. He has a broad spectrum of interest having completed combined airway and vascular anaesthesia fellowships at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.

Dr Van der Westhuizen enjoys being involved in the training of the next generation of anaesthetists. He holds a senior lecturer position at the School of Medicine, University of Queensland. He also holds a public appointment at Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital where previously he has been a supervisor of training working with provisional fellows in their final year of specialist anaesthetic training.

He has a strong interest in audit processes looking at and learning from uncommon but serious peri-operative events. He has undergone further training in bedside and point of care ultrasound to assist in rapid evaluation, decision making and risk minimisation.

He is looking forward to being part of the peri-operative team looking after you and making the process as easy and as safe as possible.

Qualifications
MBBS (Hons) BSc FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Paul Vella grew up in Central West Queensland. He graduated from the UNSW with honours in the year 2000. He worked in Wagga Wagga as part of a scholarship before starting anaesthetic training in 2004. Dr Vella then returned to Queensland where he completed his fellowship in 2009 at the Princess Alexandra Hospital. He was actively involved in teaching at the Simulation Centre for Crisis Management at the Royal Brisbane Hospital. He continued to work at the Princess Alexandra Hospital to the level of Senior Staff Medical Officer. Dr Vella enjoyed teaching medical students and registrars during this time. He began private practice in 2015 and maintains work at all the major Brisbane Metropolitan Hospitals.  

Qualifications
MBBS FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Wells is a graduate of the University of Queensland Medical School. After attaining Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists in 1999, he worked in Sydney to further his experience in Cardiac Anaesthesia, Perfusion and Transoesophageal Echocardiography. He successfully completed the Perioperative Transoesophageal Echocardiography Examination of the National Board of Echocardiography USA in 2001.

On his return to Brisbane, he has combined a private practice with a Visiting Medical Officer appointment in Cardiac Anaesthesia at the Princess Alexandra Hospital.

His clinical interests include anaesthesia for vascular surgery, breast and endocrine surgery, obstetrics and gynaecology, orthopaedics, and maxillofacial surgery.

When not working, he enjoys running, reading, and spending time with family.

Qualifications
MB BS (UQ) Dip.Mid.COG (SA) FANZCA

Professional Biography
Dr Michael Willis is a University of Queensland Medical Graduate. He started his training in anaesthesia in South Africa after completing a Diploma in Midwifery in Natal. He returned to Queensland to finish his training in anaesthesia and became a Fellow of the College of Anaesthetists. He began private practice in 1990.

Qualifications
BExScRehab (Hons), BCom-Econ, PGCertCU, MBBS, FANZCA

Biography
Dr Wilson pursued his passion for medicine in 2006 after completing two bachelor degrees in Wollongong, with post-graduate studies at the Australian National University Medical School in Canberra. It was here that he honed his skills and developed a deep appreciation of the intricacies of anaesthesia. A dynamic and fulfilling appointment ensued, serving the Canberra and rural NSW communities, in not only anaesthesia but also aeromedical rescues and retrieval with the helicopter service “SouthCare”.
Dr Wilson’s commitment to excellence led him to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital (RBWH), where he currently works. His role at RBWH allows him to use his expertise in a wide variety of surgical specialties, including orthopaedic, dental, gynaecological, general and eye surgery. He is heavily involved in mentoring and teaching the next generation of doctors and enjoys helping people achieve their full potential. With extensive experience in both public and private practice, he is an anaesthetist who is passionate about maximising patient comfort and safety.
Born and raised in a small rural NSW town, Dr Wilson developed a firm sense of community, compassion and integrity. These values remain with him today and form an integral component of his work philosophy.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Dr Wilson enjoys riding mountain bikes, playing soccer and spending time with his busy young family. He finds solace in nature and believes that a healthy work-life balance is crucial for both personal and professional fulfilment.