Dr Alexander Kippin

MBBS MPHTM FANZCA FACRRM JCC (Anaes)

My name is Dr Alex Kippin and I will be your Anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. I am very much a North Queenslander, having grown up in Townsville, completing school and university here and marrying a Townsville girl. After medical school, I chose a somewhat longer path to Anaesthesia than most, initially spending time learning and working within Intensive Care Medicine and General Surgery before completing my rural General Practice training. My wife and I then lived in the Torres strait for 3 years within an incredibly rich cultural environment (and probably the best fishing in the world!). It was an exciting and challenging work life that provided me with an incredible wealth of clinical experiences. I was fortunate enough to practice in Emergency Medicine, Aeromedical retrieval medicine, Anaesthesia as well as experiencing a broad array of Tropical Medical, Surgical, Paediatric and Obstetric cases. My family then packed up and moved again in order for me to undertake my specialist Anaesthesia training, ultimately concluding with me undertaking a final fellowship training year focussing on Perioperative Medicine, Obstetric Anaesthesia and Regional Anaesthesia (Nerve blocks) in Brisbane before my wife and I decided to return to Townsville to raise our children here.

Approaching an operation can be quite daunting, but please be reassured that we really are fortunate in Australia. Australian anaesthetists have world-class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies. I believe that there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia. My number one priority is to keep you safe during your anaesthetic for your operation. Additionally, I aim for you to have a positive experience during your surgery journey including as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure. If you have any specific questions or concerns, please feel completely at ease to ask them of me as I strive to tailor my anaesthetic and perioperative care to your individual needs. 

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Dr Louisa Kippin

MBBS FANZCA 

My name is Dr Louisa Kippin and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. My aim is for you to feel safe and have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible afterwards. By gathering some information about your health from you beforehand, I will be able to tailor the anaesthetic specifically to meet the needs of your surgery while keeping you as safe as possible throughout. Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia.

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Dr Alexander Bates

BMBCh FANZCA FCICM 

My name is Dr Alexander Bates and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia. My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure.

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Dr David Howell

MBBS GCertHlthProfEd FANZCA

My name is Dr David Howell and I am looking forward to being your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure.  I am a specialist anaesthetist and fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). Please know that I am committed to providing a high quality, comfortable and safe anaesthetic for all of my patients, utilising the most up to date anaesthetic techniques. 

As a North Queensland local, I completed medical school through James Cook University in Townsville before going on to undertake specialty anaesthetic training in all areas of anaesthesia in Townsville, Cairns and Melbourne.

I genuinely enjoy providing anaesthesia for all surgical specialties and I have special interests in perioperative medicine, critically ill and complex surgical patients. 

I’m proud to also hold a Staff Specialist appointment at the Townsville University Hospital where I am involved in teaching and mentoring of trainee anaesthetists as a Supervisor of Training. I participant in the ANZCA Continuing Professional Development Program, as well as a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists. 

When not working, I enjoy spending time with my young family.

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Dr Erin McCabe

BSc, MBBS, FANZCA, MPHTM, ASCeXAM 

My name is Erin McCabe and I look forward to meeting you prior to your surgery. My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible. Based on your required surgical procedure and your current health status, we can tailor an anaesthetic suited to your needs. Please be reassured that during your procedure I will be present and monitoring you throughout the anaesthetic.

I completed my postgraduate medical degree through Griffith University, after developing an interest in Anatomy during my undergraduate Science Degree at the University of Melbourne. I then completed my specialist training in Melbourne through the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and was lucky enough to complete further subspecialisation as a Cardiothoracic and Vascular Anaesthetist during 2 years in Canada. This means I have additional training and a special interest in surgeries relating to the heart, lungs and major arteries and veins in the body. I have taken additional study and training in diagnostic transoesophageal echocardiography.

Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so you can feel reassured about the care you will receive. 

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Dr Mal Dias

MBBS (JCU), FANZCA, GDipClinUS (Melb), GCCS (Monash), Advanced PTE exam (ASE) RCE CCPU Supervisor 

My name is Dr Mal Dias and I am looking forward to being your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure! I completed my undergraduate medical degree through James Cook University and developed a keen interest in anaesthesia and surgery. I was fortunate to be accepted into the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA) and have completed my specialist training in various hospitals throughout Queensland and New South Wales. I completed a fellowship in regional anaesthesia (ultrasound guided nerve blocks) at the Townsville University Hospital (TUH). These nerve blocks can be implemented for many types of operations and helps to provide a balanced anaesthetic and a comfortable recovery.

I have completed additional subspecialty training in cardiothoracic anaesthesia through TUH and St Vincent's Hospital, Sydney. St Vincent's is a major tertiary referral hospital for complex cardiothoracic care and specialises in heart and lung transplantation, mechanical circulatory support, interventional transcatheter valve replacements and minimally invasive techniques including robotic surgery. I have completed the Advanced Perioperative Transoesophageal Echocardiography exam through the American Society of Echocardiography and the Diploma of Clinical Ultrasound through the University of Melbourne. Together, these have provided me with advanced skills in transthoracic and transoesophageal echocardiography. I have also obtained a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Simulation through Monash University and train doctors, medical students and nurses in the management of perioperative emergencies.

I work between both Sydney and Townsville and perform anaesthesia for all types of surgery. My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible. Based on your required surgical procedure and answers to your questionnaire we can tailor an anaesthetic suited to your needs.

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Dr Parag Nalavade

MBBS DA FANZCA PGDip (Echo) 

Hi, my name is Dr Parag Nalavade and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. I have specialist anaesthetic qualifications from both overseas and Australia, and have been practicing in my specialty for over 20 years. I currently work as a full-time senior staff specialist at the Townsville University Hospital and the Mater Private Hospitals. Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia. 

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Dr Priya Sreedharan

MBBS DA MD FANZCA 

My name is Dr Priya Sreedharan and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. I have specialist anaesthetist qualifications from both overseas and Australia. I also hold an additional fellowship in paediatric anaesthesia from the Royal Children's hospital in Melbourne and have been in anaesthetic practice for over 15 years. Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia. My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure. 

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Dr Lalitha Rameshbabu

MBBS DA FANZCA

My name is Dr Lalitha Rameshbabu and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia. My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure.

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Dr Etienne du Toit

MBBS BSc FANZCA

Mr name is Dr Etienne du Toit and I am a specialist Anaesthetist with a fellowship from the Australia and New Zealand College of Anaesthetist. I strive to provide the most effective and up to date care for my patients while also ensuring their concerns are heard. My main focus is to provide a high quality and safe anaesthetic and while maintaining a calm demeanour at all times.

I originally hail from Canada and moved to Australia in 2008 where I completed medical school in Brisbane at the University of Queensland. I also then spent parts of my anaesthetic training time in Townsville, Toowoomba and Brisbane. I also completed a Fellowship in obstetric and general anaesthesia at the Mater Public Hospital in Brisbane.

I enjoy providing anaesthesia for a wide variety of surgical specialities, and have a special interest in high risk obstetrics and regional anaesthesia.

I am a member of the Australia Society of Anaesthetists and take part in the ANZCA Continuing Professional Development Program.

When not working I enjoy travel, golf, ice hockey and cycling.

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Dr Rian Crandon

BSc (Hons) MBBS R.PSG.T FANZCA

My name is Dr Rian Crandon and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure.

I grew up in Queensland, before relocating to NSW to attend medical school at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney. I subsequently worked in Melbourne for several years at the Austin Hospital, before returning to Queensland for my specialist anaesthetic training. I completed a general fellowship at the Gold Coast University Hospital, before undertaking a second subspecialty fellowship at Oxford University Hospital in the United Kingdom. Here I was the “Sir Robert Macintosh Advanced Airway Fellow” sub specialising in complex head and neck surgery and difficult airway management.

I enjoy working in a variety of surgical specialities, however have a special interest in head and neck surgery where I am an active researcher and published author in this field.

My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure. By gathering some information about your health from you beforehand, I will be able to tailor the anaesthetic specifically to meet the needs of your surgery while keeping you as safe as possible throughout. Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia.

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Dr Linden Martyr

MBBS FANZCA

My name is Dr Linden Martyr and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. 

I was born and raised in Queensland and studied medicine locally at James Cook University. I have trained to the national standard to be a certified Anaesthetic specialist. Anaesthetics is a diverse field and requires training in pain management, resuscitation and the management of medical emergencies. The training is intensive to ensure that anaesthesia provided in Australia is as safe as possible.

My goal in providing your anaesthetic is to ensure that you awake with minimal pain and discomfort. I understand that having a procedure can be anxiety provoking but be reassured that one of the most rewarding parts of my job is reducing those feelings and helping you have a positive experience.

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Dr Michael Brown

BScH MBBS PhD GCertHlthProfEd FANZCA

My name is Dr Michael Brown and I am a specialist anaesthetist and fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (ANZCA). I am committed to providing a safe and comfortable anaesthetic for my patients, using a contemporary evidence-based approach. I am active with the ANZCA Continuing Professional Development Program, as well as a member of the Australian Society of Anaesthetists.

Originally from Canada, my family and I have made Townsville our home. After graduating from the University of Queensland, I then completed Anaesthetic training across Central to North Queensland, with fellowships in Hyperbaric Medicine and Medical Education. I am also a staff specialist at Townsville University Hospital and the Mater Private Hospitals, and I also work in hyperbaric medicine and participate in the education of future doctors as a senior lecturer at James Cook University.

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Dr Elizabeth Barber

MBBS MPH DCH MAeroRT FANZCA

My name is Dr Elizabeth Barber and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. 

Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia.

My basic medical training was in South Australia and my anaesthesia training was in Victoria. In addition to my anaesthesia specialisation I have completed fellowships in paediatric anaesthesia and aeromedical medicine. I live in Townsville as the main teaching hospital (my primary employer) allows me to work in all the surgical specialties. I also work for LifeFlight.

My goal is for you to have the smoothest stay in hospital and to minimise the effects of surgery and anaesthesia as much as possible. Please take the time to complete the NAPSS supplied health questionnaire. On the day of your procedure this allows us to talk more about what you want to talk about and less about what I need from you to keep you safe.

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Dr Ella Houston

BSc MBBS(Hon) FANZCA

My name is Ella Houston and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure.

Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia.

My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure.

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Dr Mark Moll

MBBS FANZCA

My name is Dr Mark Moll and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure.

I am a Townsville local having completed all of my schooling and university studies here. My specialist training was done in Darwin, Townsville and Brisbane including an additional 2 years of intensive care medicine.  My final year of anaesthetic training was completed at the Royal Brisbane Women’s Hospital where I hold a burns anaesthesia fellowship. After being a specialist in public and private practice, I went back to complete a paediatric anaesthesia fellowship with the Queensland Children’s Hospital with a subspeciality on regional anaesthesia (nerve blocks). I enjoyed it so much I am completing my second paediatric anaesthesia fellowship with the Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.  Whilst I enjoy all aspects of paediatric anaesthesia my special interest is in managing perioperative anxiety and complex ENT/Craniofacial surgery.

I know that going in for a procedure can be a daunting experience, whether for yourself or for a loved one. My aim is always to keep my patients safe and to prioritise them having a positive experience. I will do this by tailoring an anaesthetic suited to their health, wishes and surgical requirements.

When I’m not at work you can find me fishing, snorkelling, playing chess or practicing Judo.

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Dr Soon Teoh

MBBS FANZCA

My name is Dr Soon Teoh and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure.

Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia.

My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure.

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Dr David Stoeter

MBChB FRCA FANZCA 

My name is Dr David Stoeter and I will be your Anaesthetist during your upcoming procedure for you or your child.  

Australia maintains a very high standard of both safety and quality in anaesthesia so please be reassured that you will be in one of the world’s safest medical environments while you have your procedure.

I originally trained in the UK and subsequently became nationally accredited in both the UK and Australia. I have additional specialist experience in Paediatric Anaesthesia and in Critical/Intensive Care and in what is known internationally as ‘Enhanced Recovery after Surgery’. Some of my paediatric practice has led to quality improvement work with the Society for Paediatric Anaesthesia in New Zealand and Australia. I also have particular expertise in the use of Ultrasound in Anaesthesia to facilitate the safe and precise administration of nerve blocks to provide pain relief, to help with difficult-to-get-to veins and in imaging the heart.

All of this serves to provide you with as safe a space as possible to have your procedure. One of my major goals is to tailor the anaesthetic to your specific needs. Please feel free raise questions at any point in the lead up to, or after your procedure- particularly around fasting, the anaesthetic itself or about pain relief.  To do this, just contact my rooms on 07 4426 9663.

If you are a parent of a child having a procedure, please check out a child-friendly video called ‘a little deep sleep’ here.

Showing this to your child in the lead up to the procedure may help them know what to expect on the day.

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Dr Florian Pracher

MD FANZCA FCICM

My name is Dr Florian Pracher and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure.

Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies, so there is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia.

My aim is for you to have a positive experience for your surgery with as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure.

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Dr Gavin Jones

FANZCA MBBS GradDipSpPhysio Bphty

My name is Dr Gavin Jones and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure. 

Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies. There is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia. My aim is to provide high quality and safe anaesthesia for you during your surgery and try to minimise the pain and discomfort as much as possible afterwards.

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Dr Grant J Turner

B.BioMedSci (Hons I) MBBS FANZCA GChPOM

My name is Grant Turner and I am a full-time senior staff specialist anaesthetist with the Vic Callanan Department of Anaesthesia and Peri-operative Medicine at the Townsville University Hospital.

My clinical interests include training and clinical teaching, regional anaesthesia, and perioperative medicine. I also work regularly in the private system as a VMO specialist, primarily anaesthetising for ENT surgery and retinal surgery.

I have been practising in anaesthesia in Townsville since 2012.

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Dr Ikhwan Abdul Rahim

MB BCh FANZCA

My name is Dr Ikhwan Abdul Rahim and I will be your anaesthetist for your upcoming procedure.

Please be reassured that Australian anaesthetists have world class training in anaesthesia, pain control, resuscitation, intensive care and managing medical emergencies. There is no safer place in the world to have an anaesthetic than in Australia.

My aim is to provide high quality and safe anaesthesia for you during your surgery and try to minimise the pain and discomfort as much as possible afterwards.

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Dr Norman Feist

FANZCA MD DESA

I have been practicing as an anaesthetist for over 25 years. I originally trained in Germany, but then worked in the UK, New Zealand, and Australia.

My special interest is anaesthesia for major surgeries, in particular on the heart and lungs, including perioperative echocardiography, and medical perfusion. I do however enjoy working in a variety of surgical specialities, looking after and guiding patients through their perioperative journey.

My number one priority is to keep you safe during your anaesthetic for your operation. I’ll aim for you to have a positive experience while you’re under my care, including as little pain and discomfort as possible after the procedure.

I am aware that it can be quite daunting to approach an operation, no matter if it’s a minor procedure, or major surgery. I encourage you to bring up any specific questions or concerns you may have so we can discuss them prior to your anaesthetic. 

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Mellissa Mitchell

My name is Mellissa and I have joined the medical industry seeking a career change following 20 years in financial planning and compliance. I enjoy spending time with my family and friends and getting the opportunity to experience live music.  All three of our boys play AFL and I am proud to be a committee member of our club.

I value working with professionals that share a high level of integrity and compassion and am thrilled to be a part of the NAPSS team.

Whitney James

My name is Whitney and I am a born and bred North Queenslander who lives with my husband and three crazy boys in our home that we are renovating. I am very proud to work at NAPSS and love being the first point of contact for our patients and being able to help them in any way I can.