MONBULK FAMILY CLINIC
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  • HOME
  • COVID VACCINATIONS
    • ABOUT
    • 5-11 YR OLD VACCINE
    • BOOK NOW
  • About
  • Our Team
  • Services
  • Contact
  • Book Online
  • News
  • Onsite Specialists
  • Patient Survey

OUR TEAM

DOCTORS

DR JOHN GRUNER

Dr John Gruner  started  at Selby Family Clinic in 1995, and opened the Monbulk Clinic in June 1999. In addition he is available at Selby and Kallista Medical Centre. John is married to a local, Kirsti, and they have 4 offspring.  John’s interests are playing chamber music, singing, horticulture,  goats and philosophy. John completed his obstetrics diploma in 1992 and worked at the Children’s Hospital in 1991.  He is interested in the broad range of general practice, from kids to “mature” people with complex problems.  He has completed a Master of Bioethics in 1999, to do with the ethics of complementary medicine and a PhD in Bioethics in 2021. John is an examiner for the College of General Practice, a G.P Registrar supervisor since 2005 and been teaching medical students since 1996 .  When able, he fiddles in the Australian Doctor's Orchestra, Nicholas Chamber Orchestra and "Clunes Music". 

DR KIRSTEN VAN HAASTER

Dr Kirsten Van Haaster  graduated from medicine in 1995 and has been at the Monbulk Family Clinic since 2001, completing her RACGP Fellowship in 2003. She holds further postgraduate qualifications in obstetrics and gynaecology. Kirsten lives in the area with her young family. She loves working in general practice and has broad interests in medicine through all life stages. Kirsten is a Registrar training supervisor.

DR AIDIN RIAHIFARD

Dr Aidin Riahifard joined Monbulk Family Clinic in 2014. Aidin graduated as a General Practitioner in 2003  having had extensive experience in emergency medicine, intensive care, obstetrics, gynaecology, paediatrics and general practice in Victoria since 2006.  Enjoying all aspects of general practice enthusiastically, Aidin's special interests are chronic disease management, skin lesions, minor surgical procedures, obstetrics and women's health. He is besotted with his children.
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Dr Dushy Blanchard

Dr Dushy Blanchard graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2014 and spent 3 years in hospitals in the Eastern suburbs before joining the Registrar training program. 
Having acquired her RACGP Fellowship in 2020 she has returned to work with us on a permanent basis.  Dushy has experience in paediatrics, women’s health and emergency medicine with an interest in children’s health, obstetrics & gynaecology, having completed Diplomas in these specialist areas. She enjoys music and singing in her spare time and loves to travel.
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DR ALDONA JONES


Dr Aldona Jones graduated in 1997 and completed her Obstetrics training in Sale and RACGP Fellowship in 2001. Prior to coming to Monbulk, Aldona has worked in General Practice in Pakenham and Bairnsdale.  Aldona has interests in making music, gardening, reading and is fluent in Polish.

Dr Kim ENG

Dr. Kim Eng Tan obtained the FRACGP in 1994, Graduate Diploma in Family Practice (Dermatology ) in 2001 & Fellow of College of Family Physician (Singapore) in 2003. Since 2004, he has enjoyed practicing in a rural environment in Coleraine & Casterton which included teaching medical students and registrars.  Kim Eng has advanced training in dermatology.

DR Rebecca Lowe

Dr Rebecca Lowe has grown up in the area and lives locally. She was with us as a registrar and returned after completing her RACGP Fellowship.  Bec has a broad range of experience in many parts of rural Australia as well as New Zealand and we are glad she has returned to our team at Monbulk. Bec enjoys walking, gardens and dogs.

Dr Lakhsmi Vengadasalam

Dr Lakhsmi Vengadasalam is a Fellow of both the Australian and New Zealand College of General Practitioners and has experience working across different specialties. She has a particular interest in the health of young children, women and families. She loves singing, music and reading.

DR STEVEN PINOLO

Dr  Steven Pinolo graduated from the Doctor of Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 2014. Prior to starting in general practice, he spent the previous 4 years working at Austin Health, Eastern Health and Echuca Regional Hospital. He further studied child health/paediatric medicine, completing the Sydney Child Health Program in 2018, through the University of Sydney. He completed his RACGP fellowship in 2021.

His interests include acute and emergency medical problems, child and adolescent health, men's health, preventative health, chronic disease management, and practical procedures (plasters, wounds/injury management, simple skin excisions, iron infusions, and more). 

Steve lives locally in the north-eastern suburbs, with his fiancé and young daughter. In his downtime he enjoys hiking, sports, exercising, travelling and trying to learn Italian.
REGISTRARS
Our current registrar, Dr Priscilla Paterson, is working out of our sister clinics - Kallista Medical Centre & Selby Family Clinic
NURSES
 Karin, Alison, Louise, Sarah, Jack and Kirsti  
Our nurses  who offer a wide variety of treatment room services such as triaging, wound care, Immunisations, Pap Smears, ear syringes, spirometry, venesections, Health Assessments as well as assisting Doctors with procedures. Our nurses also run our Chronic Disease Clinics which open up services to patients with more complex needs. Patients with a complex chronic illness may be entitled to 5 funded paramedical services a year. 
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​Eileen Collins is our Diabetes Educator.  Eileen has been involved in the education of patients, nurses and doctors at the International Diabetes Institute for many years and now consults here on Thursdays. 
OUR ADMINISTRATION AND RECEPTION STAFF
Practice Manager: Tania Worroll
Office Manager: Willeke Zijderveld
Finance Officer: Kingston Ho
​Reception Staff: Liz, Michelle, Karin, Melissa, Marie, Lyn, Shardée, Lauren, Shaeya and Alexandra.

Location

FOR AFTER HOURS CARE:

Available for REGULAR patients of the clinic - Please call the clinic on 9752 1455 where an answering machine will give instructions.
This service is not bulk billed.

In an emergency please call 000

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