Open Public Holidays. Newcastle clinic open late until 9pm Fridays and Saturdays

Meet our team

Experts in providing exceptional
Urgent Care.

Executive Team

Dr. Tim headshot
Dr Tim Stewart

CEO & Medical Director

Jason head shot
Jason Carney

Director of Nursing & Nurse Practitioner

Alex Miguel

Business & Operations Manager

Nico Vierne

People Experience Manager

Camilla Stewart

Recruitment

stanley the dog head shot
Stanley

Happy Employee

Medical Team

Dr Hugh Reid

Doctor

Biography

Dr. Hugh Reid  is a proud native of Valentine, with roots that extend to his educational years at Belmont High School.

In 1988, he embarked on his journey into the medical profession, earning his medical degree from Newcastle University. Driven by a familial connection to the field – his father being a GP in Belmont during the 1960s and 70s – he felt a deep calling to follow in his footsteps.

During his early career, Dr. Hugh served as a junior doctor at Royal North Shore Hospital, where he initially pursued training in Intensive Care and Anaesthetics. However, after a few years, he recognized that these specialties lacked the rich diversity of experiences found in Emergency Medicine. The allure of treating patients of all ages with a myriad of ailments and injuries drew him toward this dynamic field. In addition to his work in general medicine, surgery, and orthopaedics, Dr. Hugh has developed a keen interest in Ophthalmology, Ear, Nose, and Throat (ENT) issues, and medical education – a domain where the complexities of medicine reveal their fascinating nature.

Beyond his professional life, Dr. Hugh is happily married to Anna, a dedicated Speech Pathologist. Together, they nurture three teenage boys, with two of them avid soccer players and the third displaying promise as a budding go-kart enthusiast.

Biography
Dr Nick Dafters

Doctor

Biography

Dr. Nick Dafters was born in Glasgow, Scotland, and obtained his medical degree from the University of Glasgow in 1999. His early career involved serving as a junior doctor in Scotland, after which he pursued specialised training in General Practice and practiced in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

In 2007, Dr. Dafters permanently relocated to Australia, where he underwent further training in Emergency Medicine, gaining experience in various fields such as Paediatric medicine, Obstetrics, Intensive care, and Retrieval Medicine. Notably, he plays a pivotal role in training emergency medicine physicians and has developed a keen interest in medical simulation and disaster management.

Recognising the imperative for an expert-led, rapid-access service to address the urgent care needs of the local community, Dr. Nick Dafters has joined our Heal team.

Biography
Dr Sean Kelly

Doctor

Biography

Dr Sean Kelly is an Emergency Physician with an interest in Clinical Toxicology and Sports Medicine.

He graduated from the University of NSW in 2012, and holds a Masters of Critical Care Medicine from the University of Sydney.

Sean has trained within the Hunter New England region since graduation, and works locally at both Maitland and the Calvary Mater hospitals in Newcastle.

Biography
Dr Heidi Goldsmith

Paediatrician

Biography

Dr Heidi Goldsmith, Paediatrician, a country-born and bred farm girl, initially aspired to become a veterinarian during her childhood, until she discovered her phobia of cats! This realisation led her to shift her focus toward the field of human medicine.

Her educational journey commenced with a Bachelor of Nursing degree, followed by a fulfilling three-year tenure as a Registered Nurse in the Emergency Department of John Hunter Hospital. In 2011, Heidi completed her postgraduate degree in Medicine with Distinction.

Her early medical career was cultivated at Tamworth Rural Referral Hospital, where she gained valuable experience. She subsequently pursued specialised training in paediatrics within the John Hunter Children’s Hospital (JHCH) network, including a portion of Advanced Training in Alice Springs, Northern Territory. Alongside her work in General Paediatrics, Heidi also contributed as a Clinical Genetics Fellow and served as a Neonatal Fellow.

Heidi currently plays pivotal roles, with the Child Protection and ADHD Teams at JHCH, as well as actively participating in General Paediatrics at The Maitland Hospital.

Beyond her professional pursuits, Heidi is wholeheartedly dedicated to her cherished family - comprising two delightful daughters and a husband known for his sense of humour. During her cherished moments of leisure, she finds joy in activities such as running, picnicking, and savouring a cup of coffee.

Biography

Orthopaedic Team

Dr Damian Mansour

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Biography

Dr Damian Mansour is an Australian qualified orthopaedic surgeon
accredited by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons
and the Australian Orthopaedic Association.

Attending medical school at the University of Newcastle,
Damian has studied, trained and worked in Hunter New
England and has serviced the area throughout his career.

He has advanced his skills and knowledge achieving a
fellowship in Sports Orthopaedic Trauma Surgery in Oslo,
Norway. Working at the Olympiatoppen facility treating elite
Olympic and national team athletes, at the Oslo University
Hospital in the Sports and Arthroscopy department and at
the Norwegian School of Sports Sciences.

He has two additional extended fellowships in elbow and
shoulder surgery in the treatment of sports injuries and
arthritis completed locally and in Europe.

Damian’s own love of sport and fitness drives his philosophy
to treat and work towards returning active people and sports
folk to the activities that they love and compete in.

A proud member of the local community, Damian is very
happy to be able to offer his orthopaedic services to the
people of his home and its surroundings.

Damian consults here at HEAL in our AfterCare services,
seeing patients who have presented to HEAL for acute
fracture care and management and oversees bone healing. Damian works to make an assessment based on the bone
injury suffered and whether it requires surgical management
or not.

Biography
Dr Gajan Selvakumaran

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Biography

Dr Gajan Selvakumaran (Selva) is an Australian-trained
Orthopaedic Surgeon with a special interest in upper limb
conditions as well as general orthopaedic trauma. He
graduated medical school from the University of Newcastle
in 2012 and attained Fellowship of the Royal Australasian
College of Surgeons (Orthopaedics) and Australian
Orthopaedic Association in 2022.

He holds public appointments at the John Hunter Hospital
and Belmont District Hospital, and also operates at Lingard
Private, Warners Bay Private and Lake Macquarie Private
hospitals.

Born in Hay, located in rural New South Wales, he has
worked in various regional locations such as Taree,
Tamworth, Port Macquarie and Kalgoorlie. With rich ties to
regional Australia, he continues to facilitate patients from
throughout the Hunter, New England and Northern NSW
regions to ensure geography does not limit access to
excellent healthcare.

Dr Selva has undertaken both national and international
fellowships to further his expertise after completing training.
He first spent 6 months at the Fairfield Hand Unit in Sydney
working alongside fellow Orthopaedic and Plastic surgeons
performing hand, wrist and microsurgery. He then undertook
12 months of international subspecialty training at the
prestigious Royal London Hospital, UK, and gained further
experience in managing shoulder, elbow and wrist
conditions for both elective and traumatic conditions.

He remains involved in active research through the
Newcastle Orthopaedic Research Institute and is proud to
be involved in training the next generation of orthopaedic
surgeons through the Newcastle Training Scheme for the
Australian Orthopaedic Association.

Biography
Dr James Coulthard

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Biography

Dr James Coulthard is an orthopaedic surgeon servicing
Newcastle and the greater Hunter area. He lives in
Newcastle with his young family.

He grew up in Melbourne and studied his undergraduate
degrees in science and commerce at Monash University. In
2003 he moved to Newcastle and undertook postgraduate
medical studies at the University of Newcastle, graduating
in 2008.

He worked as a junior doctor in the Hunter New England
Health network before commencing formal surgical training
in orthopaedics in the Newcastle training scheme of 2014.
He obtained his fellowship from the Royal Australian
College of Surgeons in 2018.

After completing his training, James moved to the United
Kingdom to gain further experience in his areas of interest.
In 2019 James was the senior clinical fellow in paediatric
orthopaedics at the Oxford University Hospitals.

Upon his return to Australia, James undertook a fellowship
in adult knee surgery with Dr Peter McEwen at the Mater
Hospital Queensland. He then moved to Perth for twelve
months’ further experience in paediatrics at the Perth
Children’s Hospital, focusing on disorders of the hip and
knee in all age groups.

James now works as a consultant at the Maitland Hospital
where he performs on-call trauma surgery as well as
elective care for children and adults. He is actively involved
in teaching medical students, junior doctors and orthopaedic
surgery trainees.

Biography
Dr Mac Nixon

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Biography

Dr Mac Nixon is an orthopaedic surgeon residing in the
Hunter region who specialises in disorders of the hip and
knee. Mac also performs general orthopaedic surgeries.
Mac is a born and bred Queenslander, raised in humble
beginnings, growing up in Mount Isa and Mackay.
Mac completed his Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of
Surgery (MBBS) at James Cook University, Queensland.
Mac then completed his orthopaedic training through the
Australian Orthopaedic Association (AOA) in Newcastle.
Mac subsequently went on to complete two subspecialty
fellowships. St John of God, Lower Limb Arthroplasty and
Reconstruction Fellowship, in Perth, Western Australia.
Followed by the Orthopaedic Research Institute of
Queensland Lower Limb Arthroplasty and Reconstruction
Fellowship, in Townsville, Queensland.

Mac is passionate about patients regaining their livelihood
and giving them back their sense of self. He aims to provide
this through comprehensive assessments, advanced
surgical techniques, clear and concise education and
individualised rehabilitation plans. Mac is meticulous, he
doesn’t just look at the injury itself, instead considers the
entirety of a patient, including their lifestyle, what daily
activities are important to them, their own personal goals
and their social support network. The possibility of
undergoing surgery can be daunting and is a vulnerable
time for patients and their families. Mac is extremely
personable, caring and thorough in every aspect through the
entire treatment process, from the moment he meets
patients, through surgery and post-operatively.

Mac consults here at HEAL in our AfterCare services,
seeing patients who have presented to HEAL for acute
fracture care and management and oversees bone healing.
Mac works to make an assessment based on the bone injury
suffered and whether it requires surgical management or
not.

Biography
Dr Michael Dan

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Biography

Dr. Michael Dan, an accomplished orthopaedic surgeon and former rugby player, holds a PhD in Orthopaedics and is renowned for his exceptional surgical skills and contributions to biomechanics. Raised in Newcastle, he had a successful rugby career, transitioning to medicine and completing his medical degree at Bond University in 2012. Specialising in orthopaedic surgery, he concluded his training in 2022 and pursued a fellowship in complex knee surgery at the Lyon Knee School.

With a Master’s degree and a PhD from the University of New South Wales, Dr. Dan's research focuses on biomechanics and surgical interventions, providing valuable insights for optimising outcomes. Actively involved in teaching and mentoring at the Sydney Orthopaedic Research Laboratory, he approaches patient care comprehensively, especially in sports-related injuries, offering tailored treatment plans.

Recognised for his exceptional surgical skills and compassionate patient care, Dr. Dan is a leading figure in orthopaedic surgery. Beyond his professional pursuits, he advocates for an active and healthy lifestyle, reflecting his commitment to overall well-being. With expertise in orthopaedics, biomechanics, and sports, Dr. Michael Dan stands as a pioneer in the field, embodying a commitment to excellence and positive change in orthopaedic surgery.

Biography
Dr Stephen Kent

Orthopaedic Surgeon

Biography

Dr Stephen Kent is an orthopaedic surgeon operating in Newcastle
and Lake Macquarie. He is locally & internationally trained,
specialising in surgery of the foot & ankle and orthopaedic
trauma. Dr Kent completed his orthopaedic training in
Newcastle, from 2014-2018 via the Australian Orthopaedic
Association (AOA) Training Scheme. He subsequently
attained Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of
Surgeons (Orthopaedics) in 2019.

Following completion of his training, Dr Kent undertook a
foot & ankle fellowship at the Mater Hospital in Brisbane,
QLD under the tutelage of Dr Ben Forster & Dr Michael
Lutz. Dr Forster is well known nationally for his surgical
expertise in managing sports injuries of the foot & ankle,
including elite athletes of professional sports teams such as
the Brisbane Lions, Gold Coast Suns, Queensland Reds,
and North Queensland Cowboys. Dr Lutz has published
extensively in the field of syndesmotic injuries.

Following his time in Brisbane, Dr Kent travelled to work at
the internationally regarded St Michael's Hospital in
Toronto, Canada. St Michael's hospital is a Level I trauma
centre and located in the 2nd biggest city in North America.
Here Dr Kent undertook a trauma, arthroplasty & lower limb
reconstruction fellowship. In addition, he had the
opportunity & privilege to work with Dr Tim Daniels,
regarded as one of the top foot & ankle surgeons in North
America, and an expert in total ankle replacement. Dr Kent
is a reviewer of journal articles for both the Journal of
Orthopaedic Surgery and Foot & Ankle Specialist journals.

He has now returned to the Hunter, and looks forward to
servicing the foot, ankle, and orthopaedic trauma needs of
the region.

Biography

Nurse Practitoner Team

Amie

Nurse Pracitioner

Biography

Amie Gallagher is an accomplished Nurse Practitioner with a focus on Emergency Medicine. Her academic journey culminated in a Master of Nurse Practitioner degree with Distinction from the University of Newcastle in 2017. Following her educational pursuits, Amie has dedicated her skills and expertise to the field, serving as an Emergency Nurse Practitioner at John Hunter Hospital and contributing to the Victorian Virtual Paediatric Emergency Department in a cross-state capacity.

Amie's career in healthcare began with a Bachelor of Nursing from the University of Avondale in 2004. Her early years were marked by diligent service as a Registered Nurse in various esteemed institutions such as John Hunter Hospital, The Mater Hospital, and Lake Macquarie Private. In 2009, she achieved NCLEX certification, enabling her to practice as a nurse in Canada. During this period, she provided vital care in the Emergency department of Alberta Children's Hospital until 2011.

A specialist with a keen interest in paediatrics and orthopaedics, Amie is unwavering in her commitment to providing exceptional medical care to her patients. She is equally dedicated to educating and empowering individuals, equipping them with the knowledge and confidence to care for themselves and their loved ones in their own homes.

Originally hailing from Sydney, Amie relocated to Newcastle in 2005 after completing her undergraduate nursing degree. Her commitment to community service is underscored by her six years of volunteering with St. John Ambulance and twelve years with the Rural Fire Service. A testament to her resilience, Amie's recent triumph over cancer has ignited her passion for living life to its fullest. She now cherishes each moment with her husband, two children, and loyal canine companion.

In her leisure time, Amie enjoys serene walks, leisurely bike rides, beach outings, and engrossing herself in books. Her newfound love for the ocean has inspired her to overcome her apprehensions about seaweed and sharks, as she aspires to learn scuba diving and surfing.

Biography

Nursing Team

Jacqui Headshot
Jacqui

Registered Nurse

Katie

Registered Nurse

Mel - head shot
Mel

Registered Nurse

Micaela

Registered Nurse

Niki Headshot
Niki

Registered Nurse

Skye Headshot
Skye

Registered Nurse

Vonny Headshot
Vonny

Registered Nurse

Jamie

Nurse Manager Maitland

Chris

Registered Nurse

Concierge Team

Alana

Concierge

Alice

Concierge

Chelsea

Concierge

Elaine

Concierge

Elke

Concierge

Ella Headshot
Ella

Concierge

Ellie Headshot
Ellie

Concierge

Isla
Isla

Concierge

Georgia
Georgia

Concierge

Kylie

Concierge

Kristie

Concierge

Zana Headshot
Zana

Concierge

Scribe Team

Oliver

Medical Scribe

Reuben
Reuben

Medical Scribe

Allied Health Team

David Naylor

Physiotherapist

Biography

David Naylor is a physiotherapist with more than 15 years of
sports experience. He has a special interest in the
biomechanics of injury and rehabilitation, rugby union
injuries, shoulder and lower limb injury management.

David has worked with a number of National Sporting
Teams and Australian athletes including, Newcastle Knights
(NRL, National Soccer League teams and is currently a
physio consultant with Newcastle and Hunter Rugby Union.
David Enjoys both the social and competitive aspects you
get working with sporting teams and individuals from a
diverse background. Sporting people are generally driven to
get back to what they want to do and have a good attitude
to their rehabilitation.

David Naylor consults here at HEAL in our Aftercare
services, reviewing patients that have presented to HEAL
with.

Biography
Dion Sandoz

Hand Therapist

Biography

Dion is the Principal Therapist at Hunter Hand Rehab. Dion
graduated from the University of Western Sydney in 2002
with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Occupational
Therapy. He has been working in the area of hand therapy
since 2005, in both the public and private sector, in
Australia and the United Kingdom.

Dion has been a Certified Hand Therapist since 2007. Dion
became a full member of the Australian Hand Therapy
Association (AHTA) in 2011 and became an Accredited
Hand Therapist (as awarded by the AHTA) when it was
introduced in 2018.

Dion has presented nationally at the AHTA Conference and
is a former member of the Management Committee of the
AHTA. Dion also guest lectures at the University of
Newcastle.

Dion is committed to promoting the specialty of hand
therapy and providing high quality, well evidenced hand and
wrist rehabilitation to all of his patients.

Dion Sandoz consults here at HEAL in our AfterCare
services, specalising in hand and upper limb therapy seeing
patients that have presented to HEAL with hand injuries

Biography
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