General Practitioners
Dr. Kyan Ahdieh
Dr Kyan Ahdieh
Dr Kyan Ahdieh completed his Medical School and General Practice training in Western Australia. He worked for a number of years in rural WA, the South Pacific and Canberra before settling down in Launceston in 2016.
Dr Ahdieh provides comprehensive general practice care encompassing most aspects of medicine including general health checks. Special interests include skin disorders and children’s health. He is also willing to provide a second opinion for complex issues if required.
Session times: Monday to Friday
Special interests : child health, skin disorders.
Dr. Kyle Alderman
Dr. Kyle Alderman
Dr. Kyle Alderman grew up in Sydney and studied medicine abroad, completing rigorous training in North America at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, followed by further specialisation at Addenbrooke’s Hospital in Cambridge, UK.
Dr. Alderman is joining Launceston Medical Centre as a registrar with ACRRM, bringing his passion for patient care and a commitment to rural and regional health.
Outside of work, he enjoys skiing and following Formula 1. Fun fact: he has an identical twin brother in a non-medical field — so if you ever think he’s ignoring you in public, it’s probably his twin!
Working Days: Dr. Alderman works Mondays & Thursdays
Dr. Sam Atkins
Dr. Sam Atkins
Dr Sam Atkins was born and raised in Launceston and worked as a Pharmacist and Air Force Officer prior to studying medicine in Newcastle. He completed his residency at the Launceston General Hospital before beginning training as a General Practice Registrar.
Sam is excited to engage with all areas of General Practice and has a particular interest in mental health.
Outside of work, Sam enjoys spending time with his young family, tending to an extensive vegetable garden, fishing and playing golf.
Dr. Sujan Bhandari
Dr. Sujan Bhandari
Dr Sujan Bhandari has around 10 years of experience in healthcare. Originally from Nepal, he graduated in 2013 from the Philippines and moved to Australia in 2017.
He has worked in Launceston General Hospital for 3 years and gained further experience in general medicine, surgery, emergency medicine, women and child health.
Dr Bhandari is passionate about providing patient-centered holistic care and has strong interest in adult medicine, chronic diseases, dermatology and multicultural health.
Besides medicine, Dr Bhandari enjoys exploring new places and spending quality time with family and friends.
Dr. Natalie Burch
Clinical Director of Education and Training
Dr. Natalie Burch
General Practitioner | Clinical Director of Education and Training
Dr. Natalie (Nat) Burch is an experienced doctor who trained in Queensland as a GP obstetrician before making Tasmania home in 2001. With a strong background in rural generalist practice, Nat has spent years balancing private practice ownership, hospital on-call duties, and raising her family in northeast Tasmania.
A passionate advocate for medical education and doctor wellbeing, Nat has played a pivotal role in launching Launceston Medical Centre’s dedicated teaching and education program in 2025. She previously led the Observership Program at Launceston General Hospital, offering hands-on immersion to International Medical Graduates adapting to the Australian healthcare system.
Nat recently completed her Masters of Health Professionals Education (Glasgow) and successfully contributed to a thriving supervision model at Ochre Scottsdale, where she was a partner for a time. She is also the driving force behind the Doctor Wellbeing Walks, collaborating with Tas Walking Company alongside Sheena Polese, and has conducted On Country walks with Aboriginal artist Andrew Mansell. Currently, she is training as a Thinking Environment Facilitator and Coach for Doctors.
Her dedication to fostering supportive learning environments has earned her numerous accolades, including:
- Tasmanian Rural Doctor of the Year
- Distinguished Service Award – ACRRM
- Supervisor of the Year Tasmania – Ochre
At Launceston Medical Centre, Nat is fully engaged in medical education and supervision and, as such, does not offer booked patient appointments.
Dr. Clare Cerchez
Dr. Clare Cerchez
Dr. Clare Cerchez grew up in Launceston, moving to Newcastle to complete her MBBS. Since graduation, she has spent time working throughout New South Wales, Northern Territory and Tasmania. Her most challenging time was working in Zambia where she spent two years, working in paediatric and adult medicine treating HIV, TB, Malaria and other infectious diseases.
Dr Cerchez regrets to advise that she is unable to take new patients at this time.
Session Times:
Clare works Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays.
Dr. Sara Freshney
Dr. Sara Freshney
Dr Sara Freshney qualified in medicine in Leicester, UK in 2011. She worked as a junior doctor in the UK as well as spending a year in Western Australia in 2013. She returned to the UK for her GP training in Devon which she completed in 2020.
She has recently moved to Tasmania in September 2021 with her family.
Outside of work her time is spent either running around after her two young children, dressmaking, or enjoying peace and quiet when her children have gone to bed!
Dr Freshney works Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Dr. Tavia Goodison
Dr. Tavia Goodison
Dr Tavia Goodison graduated from Medical School at the University of Queensland in 2018 and also holds a PhD in biomedical research. She completed her training in Toowoomba and Redland Bay in Queensland. She enjoys all aspects of General Practice including Women’s and children’s health; preventative healthcare including weight loss management and management of adults with ADHD (in accordance with state laws).
Dr Tavia welcomes patients from the LGBTQI+ community.
Dr Tavia enjoys vegie gardening and woodworking while spending time with her husband and two very energetic young children.
Dr. Damaris Green
Dr. Damaris Green
Dr Damaris Green is excited to join the Launceston Medical Centre in January 2025 as a GP registrar.
A graduate of the University of Tasmania, she loves exploring our island state, especially if it involves bushwalking, mountain biking and drinking coffee. Dr Green enjoys the variety of general practice, and is eager to empower people to be holistically healthy!
Dr. Nalika Hendawitharana
Dr. Nalika Hendawitharana
Originally from Sri Lanka Nalika commenced General Practice in North West Tasmania in 2018 .
Dr Nalika joined Launceston Medical Centre in August 2021. She has an interest in women’s health and chronic disease management.
Dr Nalika speaks both English and Sinhalese languages and works Monday – Friday.
Dr. Apar K C
Dr. Apar K C
Dr Apar K C and his wife moved to Tasmania in 2016.
Over the past 5 years, he has been worked both in General Practice and at the Launceston General Hospital Emergency Department.
Apar aims to provide holistic care to his patients treating each person as an individual, with respect and dignity.
In his spare time he enjoys gardening and growing vegetables, playing goal keeper for the Launceston Nepalese Soccer Club, and plays guitar in his band “Himalayan Rockfields”!
A true Tasmanian in the making, he loves hiking and trekking.
Apar works Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Dr. Cheri Kariyawasam
Dr. Cheri Kariyawasam
Dr Cherie joined our practice bringing with her over 20 years of general practice experience in Australia and Sri Lanka.
She obtained her primary medical degree, with honours and is a fellow of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
She has a keen focus on the whole aspects of family medicine from infants to elderly people with special interests in women’s health (contraception, Implanon, pap smears), Chronic disease management including Diabetes , Asthma and High Blood Pressure management with a holistic approach liaising closely with other allied health professionals and specialists.
She loves helping her patients to optimise their health and general wellbeing and is very keen to update her knowledge on the latest treatment methods and techniques to improve her mode of practice. She spends her spare time with her family and enjoys cooking and reading.
Dr Cheri works at Launceston Medical Centre Monday – Friday.
Dr. Anuja Kulasooriya
Dr. Anuja Kulasooriya
Dr. Anuja Kulasooriya is an accomplished medical professional with over 15 years of clinical experience, now embarking on an exciting new chapter as a General Practitioner at Launceston Medical Centre. Originally from Sri Lanka, she completed her medical degree at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in 2008 and has since gained extensive experience across various medical specialties.
Dr. Kulasooriya moved to Tasmania in 2017 and has spent the last 3 years working at the Launceston General Hospital, refining her skills and completing the Observership Program. This experience has prepared her to transition into General Practice, a field she has been passionate about pursuing since her arrival in Tasmania.
Dr. Kulasooriya has a keen interest in paediatrics and dermatology, areas where she is excited to develop her expertise further as she begins her General Practice career. Her approachable and empathetic manner, coupled with her dedication to providing high-quality care, ensures her patients feel supported and valued.
Outside of medicine, Dr. Kulasooriya enjoys dancing and gardening, hobbies that bring balance to her busy life. As a mother of three, she brings a warm, family-focused perspective to her practice.
Dr. Kulasooriya is thrilled to begin this new chapter of her career at Launceston Medical Centre and looks forward to welcoming new patients, building meaningful relationships, and making a positive impact on the community.
Dr. Dan Lack
Dr. Dan Lack
Dan has commenced his career in medicine later in life, previously working as a climate change research scientist and mountain rescue specialist!
Despite the change in career, he continues to spend most of his spare time enjoying the great outdoors.
Over the winter months he is part of the Ben Lomond Ski Patrol, providing first-aid treatment and advanced emergency care to the Ben Lomond community and visitors during the ski season.
He also loves mountain climbing and chasing trout!
Dr. Warwick Lawson
Dr. Warwick Lawson
Warwick is an Australian trained GP from Queensland.
He has experience in general medicine from working in Cairns hospital and finds preventative health and optimising chronic conditions rewarding.
Warwick finished his FRACGP training in 2022 and moved to Tasmania to escape the ‘Big City’ life style.
He enjoys working in his veggie garden and finding ways to keep his dogs from digging it up!
Dr. James Luttrell
Dr. James Luttrell
Dr James Luttrell was born and raised in Launceston completing his training at University of Tasmania, graduating in 2012.
He went on to work at the Launceston General Hospital for several years before moving to the mainland and working in NSW and SA.
9 years on, he returned home to Tasmania in 2021 to raise his young family.
Dr Luttrell enjoys working across all areas of General Practice, with special interests in sexual health, dermatology and skin cancer medicine.
James enjoys spending time with his kids, exploring the Tasmanian wilderness, participating in sport (at a national level!) and gardening.
Dr. Shreya Maheshwari
Dr. Shreya Maheshwari
Dr Shreya Maheshwari joined Launceston Medical Centre in January 2025 as a GP registrar, excited to commence a career in General Practice.
Shreya was born in India and relocated to Australia when she was 2 years old. She did her schooling in NSW and Victoria and finally moved to Tasmania in 2017 where she graduated from University of Tasmania in 2021. Shreya has worked at Launceston General Hospital for the last 3 years where she has enjoyed rotations in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, General Surgery and General Medicine.
Shreya is passionate about providing quality holistic patient-centred care and has a special interest in women’s health and dermatology.
Outside of work, Shreya enjoys travelling, exploring new brunch spots and spending time with friends and family.
Dr. Jerome Muir Wilson
Dr. Jerome Muir Wilson
Growing up in North West Tasmania, Jerome relocated to Queensland to study medicine. He returned to Tasmania completing his General Practice training at the Launceston General Hospital, Longford, Smithton and George Town. After spending over 2 years working in a variety of general practices, country hospitals and Emergency Departments across rural and remote Australia he now calls Launceston home.
His special interests include acute and emergency medicine and this is a key reason for establishing the Launceston Medical centre next to the Launceston General Hospital. This was in order to give patients an option for their acute health care needs.
His other interest areas include work cover and sporting injuries for which he assists Tasmanian institute of sport athletes and a number of football teams in the north.
In his spare time, Jerome enjoys playing AFL for Evandale football club and spending time with his young family.
Session Times:
Appointments with Jerome are available Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Dr Muir Wilson regrets that he is unable to take new patients at this time (excluding sporting injuries – please call the practice to arrange).
Dr. Jaclyn O’Keefe
Dr. Jaclyn O’Keefe
Having grown up in Launceston and training in Tasmania, Jackie has experienced a variety of locations across Australia with Jerome. Despite experiencing the beauty of Far north QLD and outback Australia she can see no better place to call home than Launceston.
She felt the best way to put the range of skills into practice was to start a fresh and innovative practice.
Jackie has a passion for womens health, loving to share the journey through a woman’s life including antenatal care, post pregnancy care, and following this through with issues that arise for women later in life. She also enjoys and caring for children and all their health requirements.
Jackie has a keen eye for design and wanted to create a relaxing, modern and efficient practice that didn’t have a ‘hospital feel’ and was a pleasure to work in.
Session Times:
Dr. Lily Pavlov
Dr. Lily Pavlov
Dr. Lily Pavlov originally completed her undergraduate degree in Russia before moving to Australia with her family over 10 years. It was in Australia that Dr. Pavlov undertook her fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Dr. Pavlov enjoys the breadth of general practice looking after families with young children, womens health and those in nursing homes.
Session Times:
Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Dr. Glenn Richardson
Dr. Glenn Richardson
Dr. Glenn Richardson looks after the breadth of patients throughout their lives including those in nursing homes.
Dr. Richardson assists in an orthopaedic theatre each week which complements his interest of sports medicine where he is one of two doctors in the practice that look after Tasmanian Institute of Sport Athletes. He also enjoys undertaking minor surgical procedures including skin cancer surgery and operating on ingrown toe nails.
In his spare time, Dr. Richardson represents Australia in his age group for cricket and is looking forward to an ‘Ashes’ tour playing in England in 2017 whilst also opening the batting for Trevallyn.
Session Times:
Monday – Friday
Dr. Hoki Smoak
Dr. Hoki Smoak
Hoki had a circuitous route to medicine, studying art and beekeeping before working as an engineer and then sign language interpreter and finally discovering the joys of medicine. He completed his medical studies at Sydney University, then trained at Lismore Base Hospital and in GP clinics in Northern NSW.
Dr. Katrina Tellesson
Dr. Katrina Tellesson
Dr. Katrina Tellesson graduated from the University of Melbourne before specialising in general practice on the North West Coast of Tasmania. Her interests areas are preventative health, family planning and sexual health.
Dr. Tellesson now calls Launceston home, balancing her working week between family planning and Launceston Medical Centre.
Session Times:
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday
Dr. Aye Aye Thwe
Dr. Aye Aye Thwe
Dr Aye Aye Thwe became a fellow of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) in 2013 after 3 years of general practice training in Tasmania. In the mean time Dr Aye also obtained Diploma of Child Health from Westmead Children’s Hospital, Sydney and Diploma in Women’s Health from King Edward memorial Hospital from Perth, Western Australia.
Dr Aye is especially interested in Child Health, Women’s Health and chronic medical conditions such as hypertension, ischaemic heart disease, diabetes, bronchial asthma, etc. She also enjoys doing minor surgical procedures.
She is very excited to welcome new patients to her care in Launceston Medical Centre.
Session Times:
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday.
Dr. Neeraj Uprety
Dr. Neeraj Uprety
Dr Neeraj Uprety gained his medical degree in Nepal, 2005.
From early on in his studies, he knew he wanted to work in General Practice where he could offer a holistic and integrated approach to his patients healthcare.
Neeraj has been in Australia for 13 years now, living and working in Central NSW.
Having completed his registrar training in 2020, he has made the treechange here to Launceston where he hopes to settle.
Outside of work he enjoys hiking and fishing.
Neeraj works on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
Dr. Denys Volkovets
Dr. Denys Volkovets
Dr Denys Volkovets is a General practitioner experienced in all aspects of general practice with particular interest in Mental Health, Sexual Health, Dermatology and Skin Cancer.
Prior to joining Launceston Medial Centre he worked in rural Tasmania for a few years after relocating from Melbourne in 2017.
Denys practises the holistic approach and focuses on patients’ complete physical, psychological and emotional wellbeing.
Dr. Sooriya Wijewardena
Dr Sooriya Wijewardena
Dr. Sooriya Wijewardena graduated from the University of Colombo, Sri Lanka in 1994. He completed his first fellowship in Paediatrics and Child Health at Lady Ridgeway Hospital Colombo and at Dunedin Public Hospital / University of Otago in New Zealand during 2007-2009.
He changed his career plans due to family needs and migrated to South Australia in 2009. He contributed to the health service as a Senior Registrar in Paediatrics and Adolescent Health at Women’s and Children’s Hospital North Adelaide, Hedland Health Campus in Western Australia and All major three 4 hospitals Tasmania cultivating expertise and a deep understanding of paediatric care before entering the training program under the College of Rural and Remote Medicine to become a Rural Generalist.
Dr. Wijewardena’s professional interests are broad but has special interest and skills in Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine. In addition he manages patients with acute infectious diseases, non communicable disease including chronic medical conditions. Other areas of interest are men’s health, women’s health and travel medicine.
Beyond his medical endeavours, he enjoys spending time with his family, travelling, reading, music, photography and participating sports.
Dr. Andrey Yuvchenko
Dr. Andrey Yuvchenko
A/Prof. Gary Kilov
Diabetes Medicine
A/Prof. Gary Kilov
A/Prof. Gary Kilov’s keen interest in chronic disease management incorporates the spectrum of obesity related conditions, diabetes and their impact on mental health. His interest in chronic disease management stems from his own personal experience with both type 1 diabetes and lifelong coeliac disease. Understanding the breadth of these conditions he has developed a team based approach over the last 5 years and will soon be leading the Launceston Diabetes Clinic where he will focus on diabetes and obesity related conditions only.
A/Prof. Kilov shares his time between Launceston treating the full spectrum of patients with diabetes, obesity related conditions and travelling interstate where he is sought after for peer to peer and medical undergraduate education on
Session Times:
Monday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Dr. Jo-Anne Grey
Travel Medicine
Dr. Jo-Anne Grey
Dr Jo Grey graduated from the University of Queensland Medical School and has been working almost exclusively in travel and occupational medicine for nearly 15 years. Her initial interest in things creepy-crawly, tropical and contagious developed whilst serving as the Regimental Medical Officer at 2nd Health Services Battalion, Gallipoli Barracks, Queensland caring for defence personnel deploying to Timor-Leste, Sudan and Afghanistan.
She completed a Master of Public Health and pursued her passion for travel and tropical medicine, travelling to India in 2013 to complete the International Short Course in Tropical Medicine at the Christian Medical Centre in Vellore, Tamil Nadu and the Diploma in Tropical Medicine and Hygiene at the prestigious London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2016.
A keen traveler herself, Dr Grey has visited over 70 countries and all seven continents and has worked WHO in the Pacific Region as well as with various humanitarian organisations in Asia and Europe working and supervising medical students on elective.
Allied Health Professionals
Susan Crave
Psychologist
Susan Crave – Psychologist
For more information about Susan, please visit https://wellingtonstclinic.com.au/our-team/
Wendy Gall
Psychologist
Wendy Gall – Psychologist
For more information about Wendy, please visit https://wellingtonstclinic.com.au/our-team/
Kelly Lockett
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Kelly Lockett – Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
For more information about Kelly, please visit https://wellingtonstclinic.com.au/our-team/
Karen Pennington-Smith
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
Karen Pennington-Smith
Accredited Mental Health Social Worker
For more information about Karen, please visit https://wellingtonstclinic.com.au/our-team/
Amelia White
Dietitian
Amelia White – Dietitian
Amelia graduated from LaTrobe University in Victoria, and has enjoyed returning home to work in various towns throughout the north of the state. Amelia is interested in a wide variety of nutrition-related conditions, however her special interests include heart health, diabetes, weight management and bariatric surgery.
In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, running and basketball.
For more detailed information, please visit Pathway Nutrition
Fees
Patients with chronic injuries or ailments may be referred by their GP as part of an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC).
In this instance, a Medicare rebate will apply and the out of pocket cost will be $10.
Private fees would otherwise apply. Please click here for more information
Contact us
p 03 6388 8115
f 03 6388 8114
e info@launcestonhh.com.au
Ashlee Brient
Dietitian
Ashlee Brient – Dietitian
Ashlee is local to Northern Tasmania, after moving back from Canberra where she studied a Master of Nutrition and Dietetics.
She previously studied a Bachelor of Nutrition Science at UTAS and is keen to be back in Tasmania to provide individualised, evidence-based nutrition care to the local community. Ashlee’s main interests include gut health, food intolerances, diabetes and weight management (including bariatric surgery).
For more detailed information, please visit Pathway Nutrition
Fees
Patients with chronic injuries or ailments may be referred by their GP as part of an Enhanced Primary Care Plan (EPC).
In this instance, a Medicare rebate will apply.
Private fees would otherwise apply. Please click here for more information
Contact us
p 03 6388 8115
f 03 6388 8114
e info@launcestonhh.com.au