Practitioners
Sports Medicine Physicians
Dr Andrew Garnham
MBBS, DipRACOG, FACSP
Dr Garnham is the Medical Director and a business director of Alphington Sports Medicine. He has worked as part of our medical team since 1987. He has a special interest in dance, gymnastics, basketball and cycling related injuries. His work with the Melbourne Tigers National Basketball League team and the Australian Ballet has extended over many years. He works with the Victorian Institute of Sport's cycling program and worked with the cyclists at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. He was a medical officer at the Sydney Olympics (2000). He is also involved with the Methodist Ladies College elite gymnastic team. Dr Garnham is a senior lecturer in Sports Medicine at Deakin University (1997 - current) and is a state councilor for Sports Medicine Australia. He is the President of the Australasian College of Sports Physicians and is on the editorial board for the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport.
Memberships: Fellow of Australasian College of Sports Physicians, Sports Medicine Australia
Dr David Bolzonello
MBBS, FACSP
Dr Bolzonello has been part of the Alphington Sports Medicine team since 1991, becoming a Director of the clinic in 2008. He has a special interest in groin, hip and shoulder disorders, pain management, and adolescent and corporate health. Dr Bolzonello currently works with the Calder Cannons under 18's TAC Cup team and the VIC Metro team. During the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Dr Bolzonello worked at the "polyclinic" in the athlete's village. He is a senior medical advisor for both the TAC clinical panel and the Victorian Workcover Authority. He has previously worked with the Carlton, Western Bulldogs and Sydney Football Clubs and was a medical officer, and subsequently medical director for the Australian Open Tennis (1988 to 2001). As of 2007, Dr Bolzonello is the President of the Victorian branch of Sports Medicine Australia.
Memberships: Fellow of Australasian College of Sports Physicians, Sports Medicine Australia (current state president).
Sports Medicine Registrars
Dr Sandra Mejak
MBBS, B Med Sci (Hons)
Dr Mejak is a fifth year Sport and Exercise Medicine Registrar. She began working at the clinic in 2007, and has worked full time in Sports Medicine for five years. She has previously worked at the Australian Institute of Sport (Canberra) and Territory Sports Medicine (Darwin). Dr Mejak has worked with the Australian Opals and Junior Australian Basketball teams on several occasions, as well as the Northern Knights Football Team (TAC Cup). She was the doctor for the 50 day Australian segment of the Queens Baton Relay prior to the 2006 Commonwealth Games, and was a member of the Medical team during the games. She has worked with the Australian Shooting Team. Dr Mejak has experience with many different sports, including basketball, soccer, football, triathalon, rowing, cycling, athletics, netball, hockey, volleyball and tennis. Dr Mejak currently is the doctor for the Melbourne Victory team in the Women's National League (Soccer) and she is currently a board member of the Victorian branch of Sports Medicine Australia.
Memberships: Sports Medicine Australia (Current Board Member), Australasian College of Sports Physicians
Dr Ruben Branson
Orthopedic Surgeons
Mr Hayden Morris
MBBS, DipAnat., FRACS, F.A. Orth A
Mr Morris has consulted at Alphington Sports Medicine since 1999. He specialises in knee surgery and sports injuries. He is an expert in arthroscopy, reconstruction and knee replacement surgery (partial and full). His surgery includes innovative techniques such as autologous cartilage implantation, meniscal replacement and minimally invasive knee replacement. He performs over 1200 surgical procedures each year. Mr Morris obtained his medical degree from the University of Melbourne in 1983, and completed his orthopedic training in Victoria. He was admitted to the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1992. He has studied in Europe, Britain and the USA, where he specialised in musculoskeletal onconolgy and knee surgery. Mr Morris currently consults Richmond Football Club, Geelong Football Club, St Kilda Football Club, Melbourne Storm Rugby League team, Melbourne Tigers Basketball team and the Australian Wallabies Rugby Union team. He is also a Senior Tutor at the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine (CHESM), University of Melbourne. Mr Morris operates at Mercy Private, Vimy Private and Essendon Private hospitals. Mr Morris' main consulting rooms are at The Park Clinic.
Memberships: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Australian Knee Society, International Cartilage Research Society, Australian Orthopaedic Association, International Society of Arthroscopy, Knee Surgery and Sports Medicine, International ACL Study Group, SICOT, Asian Pacific Orthopaedic Association, Sports Medicine Australia.
Mr Simon Holland
MBBS (Hons), FRACS
Mr Holland has consulted at Alphington Sports Medicine Clinic since 2006. He specialises in Upper Limb surgery - shoulder, elbow and wrist. He has a particular interest in sports injuries, arthroscopic repairs of the shoulder, elbow and wrist, Shoulder Replacement Surgery, Elbow Replacement Surgery and Upper limb trauma surgery. Mr Holland has completed both an Upper Limb Sports Medicine Fellowship in Calgary, Canada in 2003 and a Ilizarov Limb Reconstruction Fellowship in Lecco, Italy in 2004. He has also completed Shoulder and Elbow workshops in the USA, UK, and Sweden. His current public appointments are at the Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre and the Swan Hill Hospital, and he has private visiting rights at the Mercy Private, Glenferrie Private and Bellbird Private hospitals. For futher information please see Mr Holland's website.
Memberships: Australian Orthopaedic Association, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Australian Society of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the Australian Medical Association
Mr Harvinder Bedi
MBBS, FRACS, Master of Public Health
Mr Bedi began consulting at the clinic in 2007. He specialises in foot and ankle surgery, in particular foot and ankle arthritis treatments, foot and ankle fractures and Bunion (hallux valgus) correction. He has a special interest in sports injuries, ankle arthoroscopy and injury prevention (through his Master of Public Health). Mr Bedi completed his basic surgical training at St Vincent's Hospital after obtaining a medical degree from Melbourne University in 2002. In 2004/05, he completed a fellowship in foot and ankle surgery at the Nuffield Orthopaedic Centre in Oxford, UK, under Mr Paul Cooke - President of the British Foot Surgery Society. Mr Bedi operates at Mercy Private, Vimy Private and Epworth Eastern Hospitals.
Memberships: Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Australian Orthopaedic Association, Australian Medical Association and the Girdlestone Orthopaedic Society, Oxford UK.
Physiotherapists
Steve Evans
Steve is one of the founding physiotherapists and is one of the current directors of Alphington Sports Medicine. He has over 30 years of clinical experience. He is an Australian Physiotherapy Association (APA) titled Sports Physiotherapist and has a special interest in treating shoulder, knee and ankle injuries and conditions involving nerve irritation/symptoms. He also specializes in treating injuries sustained during basketball and racquet sports. Steve has a wealth of experience treating sports injuries. He will work with the Australian Men's basketball team at the Bejing Olympics (2008) and has worked at the previous two Olympic Games (2000, 2004). He is currently with the Australian Men's basketball team (1988, 1998, 2002 - current) and had previously worked with the Australian Women's (1989-1992) and Junior Men's (1995,1997,1999, 2001) basketball teams, the Australian U/18 soccer team (2005), the Australian badminton team (1995-2000), the Goodwill Games (1990,1998), National Basketball League teams (Melbourne Tigers, Nunawading/Eastside Spectres, S-E Melbourne Magic and Victoria Titans).
Postgraduate qualifications: Masters Sports Physiotherapy.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group and Sports Medicine Australia.
Dr Gaylene McKay
Gaylene has been at Alphington Sports Medicine since 1990. She is both the Managing Director of the clinic and an APA titled Sports Physiotherapist. Gaylene has a PhD degree, where she investigated injuries in basketball. Her thesis focused on recurrent ankle sprains, which is her area of clinical expertise. Part of her current role includes teaching physiotherapists about the management of ankle injuries. She is the physiotherapist for the Bulleen Boomers in the Women's National Basketball League (1990 to current). Gaylene is a physiotherapy advisor to the WorkSafe Clinical Panel. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Gaylene volunteered her services at the netball. She previously worked with the Victorian Netball team (1993 to 2001). Gaylene played in the Women's National Basketball League for 17 years, playing 348 games and winning 6 championships.
Postgraduate qualifications: PhD (La Trobe University)
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group and Sports Medicine Australia.
Sue Hogarth
Sue has over 30 years of clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine since 1993 and is one of our directors. Her special interest is orthopaedic surgical procedures. When not at Alphington Sports Medicine she works at The Avenue orthopaedic ward. This means that Sue can establish rehabilitation programs from the time of surgery to return to sport, work or leisure. Previously, Sue was a physiotherapist for the Geelong Football Club.
Postgraduate qualifications: Graduate Diploma Health Management
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group.
John Wilson
John has over 30 years of clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine since 1993. He previously worked for the Bulleen Men's basketball team, the Melbourne Football Club and the Essendon Football Club.
Postgraduate qualifications: Graduate Diploma Sports Science .
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association.
Debra Virtue
Debra has over 20 years of clinical experience and has been part of our physiotherapy team for many years. She is an Australian Physiotherapy Association titled musculoskeletal (manipulative) physiotherapist who specialises in vertebral (lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine) conditions. Debra has a special interest in treating women's conditions. Debra also works at the University of Melbourne teaching undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy students. Debra is currently enrolled in the Doctor of Clinical Physiotherapy (University of Melbourne).
Postgraduate qualifications: Graduate Diploma Manipulative Physiotherapy, Graduate Certificate in University Teaching.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy and Musculoskeletal groups.
Karen Barlow (nee Natoli)
Karen has been a part of our physiotherapy team since 2001. She is a qualified Clinical Pilates instructor and has expertise in conducting real-time ultrasound assessments (see our services section). She can develop core-stability and exercise-based rehabilitation programs that cater for your injury needs. Common injuries requiring these programs are back, hip, pelvic, knee and shoulder injuries. Karen works with athletes from a wide range of levels and capabilities, with pregnant women, the elderly and children. She can also conduct athletic screening programs that aim to assess for potential injury and establish exercise programs in an endeavour to minimize the risk of future injury. Karen undertakes sessional work at the Victorian Institute of Sport and previously worked specifically with their netball players. Karen works with the Melbourne Ladies College gymnastics squad. She is one of Australia's elite marathon runners, with an athletic history as an elite netball player.
Postgraduate qualifications: Clinical Pilates Instructor Levels 1 to 4.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group.
Kay Copeland
Kay joined our physiotherapy team in 2007 and brings with her a wealth of clinical experience. Kay has a special interest in treating injuries associated with tennis and water polo. She currently works for the World Tennis Association and the Victorian Water Polo Elite Development Squad. Kay was the Program Manager for Medical services at the 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Postgraduate qualifications: Master of Science
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group and Sports Medicine Australia.
Dr Liz Molloy
Liz has been at Alphington Sports Medicine since 2001, and is an APA Titled Sports Physiotherapist. She has a PhD degree, in which she investigated physiotherapy clinical education. Liz has a special interest in running biomechanics, lumbo-pelvic stability and exercise prescription for people with low back pain. She has worked as a physiotherapist for the Australian Junior Athletics team for six years, worked at the 2006 Commonwealth Games with the Australian athletics team and was the physiotherapist for the Australian Team at the 2009 World Track and Field Championships in Berlin, Germany. Liz is also a Senior Lecturer at Monash University, where she is involved in teaching orthopaedic physiotherapy to the graduate physiotherapy students, and teaching health professionals about education and educational research. She has co-edited a book on Clinical Education in the Health Professions. Liz previously worked with Australian Rules football players from the Northern Knights (TAC Cup) and the Victorian U/16 team. Please see the research page of this website for a list of Liz's publications.
Postgraduate qualifications: PhD (University of Melbourne)
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group and Sports Medicine Australia.
Kylie Turton
Kylie joined Alphington Sports Medicine Clinic in 2005, after working in private practice, post graduating from Latrobe University in 2001. In 2007, Kylie completed her Masters in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy via Coursework at Melbourne University. Kylie has a special interest in hip and lower back injuries, pre and post natal exercise including pilates and the use of real-time ultrasound to assist in injury management. Kylie is also one of our clinical pilates/real-time ultrasound practitioners. Kylie currently assists with the MLC Gymnastics program, and has worked in the past with the Victorian Mens High Performance Centre Gymnasts and Latrobe University Football Club. Kylie has recently returned from maternity leave.
Postgraduate Qualifications: Masters in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Mark Merolli
Mark joined the clinic at the start of 2007, after completing the Bachelor of Physiotherapy at Melbourne University (with Hons). He has special interests in sports related injuries, exercise rehabilitation and working with junior athletes at all levels. He is also one of our clinical pilates/real-time ultrasound physiotherapists. Currently Mark is a committee member of the Victorian chapter of Sports Physiotherapy Australia. He has worked closely with basketball teams from recreational through to professional and international levels. He also works with Tennis Australia as a physiotherapist. When not consulting at the clinic, Mark is working at the School of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne, teaching undergraduate physiotherapy students. Mark is currently working in the UK, he will be returning in December.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association and Sports Physiotherapy Australia.
Alison Murdoch
Ali joined the clinic in early 2007. She graduated from Latrobe University (with Hons) in 2004. Ali has a special interest in lower back and pelvic dysfunction and lower limb biomechanics, as well as sporting injuries, including injury prevention. Ali is also a qualified Clinical Pilates and real-time ultrasound practitioner. She has been working with the Collegians football club in the VAFA since 2005, with elite gymnasts at MLC, the European Football institute and in 2007 travelled to China with an Australian Basketball Association representative team. Ali is currently undertaking her Masters in Sports Physiotherapy.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association, Sports Physiotherapy Australia and Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Association.
Ross Kinsella
Ross commenced work at Alphington Sports Medicine Clinic in 2007. Ross completed his masters in Sports Physiotherapy at Latrobe University in 2008. He has maintained a teaching role in physiotherapy to undergraduate students at Latrobe University since 2007 and assists Sports Medicine Australia in providing education to Sports Trainers. He has a special interest in overuse lower limb conditions, as well as knee and groin injuries. Ross is currently the head physiotherapist for the Coburg Tigers (VFL) and in that role, he looks after players from both Coburg and the Richmond Football Club (AFL). Before working at the clinic, Ross worked as a Military Physiotherapist in the Australian Defence Force from 2004 until 2006, which included working with the special forces in the Army. Ross successfully completed Officer training at the Royal Military College in Duntroon and reached the rank of Lieutenant before discharging from the Army at the end of 2006.
Postgraduate Qualifications: Masters in Sports Physiotherapy.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association, Sports Physiotherapy Australia and Sports Medicine Australia.
Miranda Wallis
Miranda joined the clinic in 2008. She graduated from Latrobe University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy. In 2008, she completed a Graduate Certificate of Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy, also from Latrobe University. She is currently undertaking a Masters of Sports Physiotherapy. Miranda works full time at Alphington Sports Medicine Clinic, where she treats a wide range of sporting and general musculoskeletal injuries. She is a qualified Clinical Pilates and real-time ultrasound practitioner. This year, she will be working with both the, Australian under23 wheelchair basketball team in London and Paris and the Australian women's wheelchair basketball team in Canada. Miranda is the ‘swing' physiotherapist for the Billy Elliot production in Melbourne, and is affiliated with the Bulleen Boomers women's VBL and WNBL teams.
Postgraduate Qualifications: Graduate Certificate in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association, Sports Physiotherapy Australia and Sports Medicine Australia.
Paul Greco
Paul began working at the clinic towards the end of 2007. He has been practicing as a physiotherapist for 6 years. Paul has a Bachelor of Applied Science - Human Movement (1999) and a Bachelor of Applied Science - Physiotherapy from the University of Sydney (2003). Paul's interests are sports and musculoskeletal injuries as well as exercise physiology and strength and conditioning. Paul currently works with the Calder Cannons U18's (TAC Cup) and the VIC Metro U18's teams. He has previously worked for the Northern Knights U18's (TAC Cup) and Eltham Girls Soccer Team (Premier League).
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association and Sports Physiotherapy Australia.
John Pompei
John began working at the clinic in February 2008. He has a Bachelor of Applied Science - Human Movement, from RMIT and a Masters of Physiotherapy from the University of Queensland. After graduating, John worked with the Gippsland Physiotherapy Group, which gave John excellent experience in treating a wide variety of injuries. John was a member of the medical team for the 2008 Homeless World Cup in Melbourne. John is also one of our Clinical Pilates/Real-time ultrasound practioners. John enjoys treating all types of injuries, but in particular knees, ankles, shoulders and soft tissue complaints. He believes strongly in exercise as part of rehabilitation. John has continued his professional development this year, attending hip and tendon courses.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association and Sports Physiotherapy Australia.
Richard Taylor
Richard joined the clinic in 2009. He qualified with a Bachelor of Science (Sports) in 2004 from Edith Cowan University (WA). He then worked as the strength and conditioning coach for the Claremont Football Club in the Western Australian Football League from 2003 to 2004. In 2005, he began working as the strength and conditioning coach for the Uni Blues Football Club in the Victorian Amateur Football League, he held this position until 2009. In 2008, he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Physiotherapy from Melbourne University, and began working as the physiotherapist for the Uni Blues Football Club. Richard's interests include lumbro-pelvic stability, hamstring injuries and knee, ankle and shoulder injuries. Richard is one of our clinical pilates/real-time ultrasound practitioners and is a qualified dry needler. Richard played 140 games in the AFL over 11 years at Hawthorn and West Coast.
Memberships: Australian Physiotherapy Association and Sports Physiotherapy Australia.
Podiatrists
Daniel Patience
Daniel joined the clinic in 2006, after completing a Bachelor's degree in Podiatry (Hons) at Latrobe University in 2005. He treats people from all sporting backgrounds from beginner to elite. He has worked closely with the Melbourne Tigers and South Melbourne Dragons basketball teams, as well as the Northern Knights and Calder Cannons TAC Cup Under/18s teams. In 2005, he completed his honours thesis in Plantar Fasciitis. Daniel's skills lie in diagnosing musculoskeletal injuries and using orthotic intervention for treatment, however he can also treat nail and skin conditions, and give foot advice to Diabetics.
Jeremy Gersh
Jeremy joined the clinic at the beginning of 2009. He has a degree in Applied Science (Human Movement), which he completed in 1998, and a degree in Podiatry, which he completed in 2001. He has worked with VFL teams, as a Podiatrist and also in the area of Exercise Rehabilitation. He is currently a board member of Sports Medicine Australia.
Memberships: Australian Podiatry Association and Sports Medicine Australia.
Mark Whiteside
Mark Whiteside graduated from Latrobe University (with Hons) in 2007. During his studies, he developed an interest in the areas of biomechanics and podiatric sports medicine. Currently, Mark is researching the effects of motion-control footwear on leg muscle activity, and he plans to have his research findings published soon. Mark also works at Latrobe University, supervising 2nd year students in the student clinic.
Massage Therapists
Mark Vella
Mark is a remedial masseur who has been part of our massage team for about 4 years. He has a special interest in massage during pregnancy and treating athletes of all levels and capabilities. He is currently working with the Hawthorn Football Club (AFL) and some of the performers from the Melbourne production of The Lion King. Mark previously worked with Richmond and Collingwood Football Clubs (AFL), the Victorian Bushrangers Cricket team, the Melbourne Tigers National Basketball League team and the Australian Men's Basketball team (Sydney Olympics).
Memberships: AAMT
Ron Carlton
Ron is a remedial masseur who joined our massage team in 2005. His interest in the rehabilitation of injury in elite athletes has arisen from his own athletic career, his experience in coaching athletes and his combined qualifications of human movement and remedial massage. His massage skills will cater for athletes of all levels. Ron is currently working with the Bulleen Boomers Women's National Basketball League team. Previously he worked with the Collingwood Football Club (AFL).
Memberships: AAMT, Athletic International, Box Hill Athletics Club.
Stefania Ferrara
Qualifications: Advanced Diploma in Myotherapy, Diploma in Remedial Massage/ Sports Massage, Certificate IV in Relaxation Massage and First Aid Level 2 Certificate.
Stefania is a myotherapist. She uses skills she has developed to perform a broad range of myotherapy, remedial, sports and therapeutic massage techniques. Through health and postural education, combined with Stef's welcoming and encouraging personality, clients will be motivated to achieve the most out of their treatment, and their bodies.
Matt Courtney
Matt began working at the clinic at the beginning of 2009. He has a Diploma of Remedial Massage and a Bachelor of Behavioural Science from Latrobe University. Matt works with Melbourne Football Club (AFL), Melbourne Storm (NRL) and South Dragons Basketball Team (NBL).
Memberships: AAMT.
Lymphatic Drainage Therapist
Jill Griffiths
Qualifications: MLDI.II.III.IV, CDT (USA) CPT (Aust.)
Jill joined the clinic in 2009. She specialises in Lymphatic drainage therapy, which is a recent addition to sports medicine practice. It is a decongestive method, used in the treatment of inflammatory soft tissue conditions to address acute and chronic soft tissue swelling and pain. The technique is ideally placed in the management of sports injuries, including pre and post surgical indications.
Jill is dedicated to education. Her expertise has seen her lecture widely and she regularly commentates in the media. She is also part time lecturer at Victoria University. Jill has a special interest in treating oedematous conditions affecting the lower limb.
Memberships: International Alliance of Healthcare Practitioners (USA), British Lymphology Association and AAMT
Psychologist
Emma Hall
Emma began working at the clinic in early 2007. She completed her Masters in Applied Psychology (Sport) at Victoria University in 2002, after working with squads including the VIS women's volleyball team and the VIS women's soccer team. Following her studies, she accepted a two year position in the Performance Psychology Department at the Australian Institute of Sport in Canberra. During this time Emma worked with a wide range of athletes and coaches, and traveled both domestically and internationally to present at sport psychology seminars and workshops. Her main work whilst at the AIS was with the AIS netball team, AIS women's basketball team and the AIS women's gymnastics program. She has also worked in a variety of other area's including crisis support and drug and alcohol programs.
At the end of 2004, Emma returned to Melbourne to establish her own business, called Vashti Performance Services, where she consults with a number of individual clients. She is also the consultant for the WestVic Academy of Sport and several other sporting bodies, as well as consulting with corporate clients in sport, fitness, health and career areas, Emma also lectures at Victoria University across a range of subjects.
Dietician
Joanna Shinewell
Joanna is a clinical dietitian who has specialised in Sports Nutrition. She has had 8 years experience in general nutrition, dealing with weight control, diabetes, cholesterol, blood pressure and other health concerns, as well as working with athletes, (recreational, amateur and professional) to maximise their performance. She is currently working with Melbourne Football Club and the VIS, and has previously worked with the Carlton Football Club, Melbourne Storm Rugby, Racing Victoria Apprenticeship and Tennis Australia.
Post-graduate qualifications: BA/BSC (hon); MMD, APD
Memberships: Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA); Sports Dietitians Association (SDA)
Occupational Therapist
Pearse Fay
Pearse joined our practice in 2005. His expertise is in hand therapy and making hand splints. He has a keen interest in the impact the hand and upper limb have on people's sporting and functional performance and developing treatment plans for when injuries occur. Pearse also works at the Austin Hospital's hand therapy/plastics clinic where he manages a diverse range of injuries.
Memberships: Australian Associates Occupational Therapy (AAOT)
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