practitioners
Sports Medicine
Dr Andrew Garnham
Dr Garnham is the Medical Director of Alphington Sports Medicine. He is a sports physician who has worked as part of our medical team for 18 years. 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 with the cyclists at the 2006 Commonwealth Games. 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 on the board of censors for the Australasian College of Sports Physicians and on the editorial board for the Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. He was a medical officer at the Sydney Olympics (2000).
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- MBBS, DipRACOG, FACSP
- Memberships:
- Fellow of Australasian College of Sports Physicians, Sports Medicine Australia
Dr David Bolzonello
Dr Bolzonello is a sports physician with over 20 years clinical experience and has been part of the Alphington Sports Medicine team for almost 15 years. 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 in the TAC cup (Australian Rules football). During the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Dr Bolzonello worked at the "polyclinic" in the athletes village. He is also a consultant to TAC and CGU worker compensation. He previously worked with the Carlton and Western Bulldogs Football Clubs and was the medical officer for the Australian Open Tennis.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- MBBS, FACSP
- Memberships:
- Fellow of Australasian College of Sports Physicians Sports Medicine Australia (current state board member)
Dr Lorenzo Masci
Dr Masci has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine for 3 years. He has a special interest in injuries related to tennis, football, dance and gymnastics. He also has expertise in managing back pain in children and adolescents. His interests in this area lead Dr Masci to undertake a Research Masters on Pars Stress fractures in adolescent athletes (University of Melbourne). Dr Masci is currently working with the Melbourne Storm Rugby League team. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games, Dr Masci worked with the diving program. Since 2001 he has also worked for the Australian Open Grand Slam Tennis. He previously worked with the Melbourne Football Club (AFL), the Northern Bullants (VFL), Victorian weightlifting and Victorian Judo.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- MBBS (hons) FRACGP
- Memberships:
- Senior registrar of Australian College of Sports Physicians
Dr Dan Bates
Profile to follow.
Dr Sandra Mejak
Profile to follow.
Orthopedic Surgeon
Mr Hayden Morris
Mr Morris has over 20 year's clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine for 10 years. He specialises in knee surgery and sports injuries. He is an expert in arthroscopy, reconstruction and knee replacement surgery. His surgery includes innovative techniques such as autologous cartilage cartilage implantation, meniscal replacement and minimally invasive knee replacement. Mr Morris currently works with the Richmond and Carlton AFL teams, the Melbourne Storm Rugby team and the Melbourne Tigers National Basketball league team. He previously worked with the Victoria Titans National Basketball League team.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- MBBS, DipAnat., FRACS, F.A. Orth A
- 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
Mr Holland joins the Alphington Sports Medicine team in 2006. His expertise is in the area of shoulder, elbow and wrist surgery. (Profile to be updated).
Dr Harvinder Bedi
Profile to follow.
Physiotherapy
Steve Evans
Steve is one of the founding physiotherapists and is one of the current directors of Alphington Sports Medicine. He has almost 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, having worked at two Olympic Games (2000, 2004), and with the Australian Men's basketball team (1988, 1998, 2002-2006), 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 (currently with Melbourne Tigers, previously with Nunawading/Eastside Spectres, S-E Melbourne Magic and Victoria Titans).
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- Masters Sports Physiotherapy
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group. Sports Medicine Australia
Dr Gaylene McKay
Gaylene has about 18 years of clinical experience and has been at Alphington Sports Medicine for 15 years. 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). 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.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- PhD degree (La Trobe University)
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group. Sports Medicine Australia
Sue Hogarth
Sue has almost 30 years of clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine for about 10 years. She 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.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- Graduate Diploma Health Management
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group
John Wilson
John has 30 years of clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine for 11 years. He has a special interest in neck (cervical spine) pain/injuries and basketball-related injuries. He previously worked for the Bulleen Men's basketball team and the Melbourne Football Club.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- Graduate Diploma Sports Science
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association
Debra Virtue
Debra has almost 18 years of clinical experience and has been part of our physiotherapy team for nine years. She is an Australian Physiotherapy Association titled musculoskeletal (manipulative) physiotherapist who specializes in vertebral (lumbar, thoracic and cervical spine) conditions and patellofemoral (knee-cap) pain. Debra also works at the University of Melbourne teaching undergraduate physiotherapy students.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- Graduate Diploma Manipulative Physiotherapy
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy and Musculoskeletal groups
Karen Natoli
Karen has been a part of our physiotherapy team for five years. 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 and also the Melbourne Ladies College gymnastics squad. She is a long distance runner (10km & ½ marathons) with an athletic history as an elite netball player.
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group
Liz Molloy
Liz has been at Alphington Sports Medicine for four years and has a special interest in running biomechanics, lumbo-pelvic stability and cervicogenic (neck-related) headaches. She is physiotherapist for the Australian Junior Athletics team. At the 2006 Commonwealth Games Liz worked with the Australian athletics team. Liz is a PhD candidate, investigating physiotherapy clinical education. She also teaches undergraduate students in the school of Physiotherapy at the University of Melbourne. Liz previously worked with Australian Rules football players from the Northern Knights (TAC Cup) and the Victorian U/16 team.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- PhD candidate (University of Melbourne)
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group. Sports Medicine Australia
Jennifer Black
Jeni joined our physiotherapy team three years ago. She is a qualified Clinical Pilates instructor and has a special interest in tendon injuries and osteoporosis. Therefore, Jeni can develop exercise-based rehabilitation programs for a wide range of injuries. She is an advocate of evidence-based practice, with her focus being in the areas of tendon injuries and osteoporosis. She is a PhD candidate at Deakin University's School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences. Her research is investigating bone strength with exercise during growth. Jeni is the physiotherapist for the Victorian junior soccer team and previously worked with the Women's National soccer league (2002-04).
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- PhD candidate (Deakin University)
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy group
Andrew Nawrocki
Andrew has about three years of clinical experience and joined our physiotherapy team in 2005. He has a general interest in sports injuries and has a special interest in spinal pain, pain management and orthopaedic rehabilitation programs. Andrew is currently the physiotherapist for the Calder Cannons Australian Rules Football Club (TAC Cup) and previously worked with the Victorian Institute of Sport’s cricket squad.
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association including Sports Physiotherapy and Orthopaedic and Rheumatology groups
Alice Hill
Alice joined the physiotherapy team in 2006. She is qualified as a Clinical Pilates instructor and currently supervises some of the Clinical Pilates classes. Alice has a special interest in shoulder and swimming injuries.
- Memberships:
- Australian Physiotherapy Association
Mark Merolli
Profile to follow.
Amy Bach
Profile to follow.
Ross Kinsella
Profile to follow.
Paul Greco
Profile to follow.
Kay Copeland
Profile to follow.
Alison Murdoch
Profile to follow.
Massage
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
Elizabeth Pape
Elizabeth is a myotherapist who joined our massage team in 2005. She has a special interest in treating people with headaches, frozen shoulder, wrist and forearm pain and back pain. Elizabeth also has an interest in rehabilitative exercise, running and cycling. She currently works with some of the performers from the Melbourne production of The Lion King. She has previously worked with the Richmond Football Club (AFL), the Victorian Institute of Sport's gymnastics (girls) and the Australian Ballet Company.
- Memberships:
- IRMA
Daniel Dalsanto
Profile to follow.
Podiatry
Daniel Bonanno
Daniel has about 5 year's clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine for 2 years. He has a special interest in the biomechanics of the lower limb and its relationship to injury. Daniel is currently undertaking research investigating the effect of orthotics on shin pain (medial tibial stress syndrome). He currently works with the Carlton and Kangaroos Football Club (AFL teams). He also works at La Trobe University supervising undergraduate students in their clinical practice.
- Memberships:
- Sports Medicine Australia, Australian Podiatry Association, Australasian Academy of Podiatric Sports Medicine
Daniel Patience
Profile to follow.
Psychology
Dr Samantha McLeod
Samantha has nearly 15 years clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports medicine for 9 years. She has a PhD degree (La Trobe University) which combined health and sport psychology. Overall, Samantha specializes in health and performance psychology. She works with athletes to improve their performance, to identify risk factors for injury and for general rehabilitation. Numerous state, national, international and professional athletes have sought her counsel. She has a special interest in anxiety disorders (eg: post traumatic stress disorder), chronic pain, chronic fatigue and medication dependency. A further special interest is child and adolescent mental health. Her consultations can be for individuals, couples or families depending on your needs. Furthermore, group programs can be arranged for sporting groups or businesses. She is a provider/practitioner for TAC, Workcover and Victims of Crime. Samantha consults with the MLC elite gymnastic squad, the Victorian Institute of Sport and the Australian Women's basketball team (Opals). She previously worked with Ivanhoe Grammar swimming club and Melbourne University rugby club.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- PhD degree (La Trobe University), Graduate diploma in Healthcare
- Memberships:
- : Australian Psychological Society, Sports Medicine Australia and International Society of Sports Psychology. Associate member of APS College of Sports Psychology and affiliate member of APS College of Health Psychology
Shayne Hanks
Profile to follow.
Emma Hall
Profile to follow.
Nutrition
Joanna Shinewell
Joanna has almost 5 years clinical experience and has worked at Alphington Sports Medicine for about 4 years. She can provide expert opinion about nutrition in sport and nutrition for specific health needs (see services). Joanna currently works for the Carlton Football Club (AFL), the Victorian Institute of Sport, Tennis Australia and VRC jockeys. She previously worked with Melbourne Storm rugby team.
- Post-graduate qualifications:
- BA/BSC (hon); MMD, APD
- Memberships:
- Dietitians Association of Australia (DAA); Sports Dietitians Association (SDA)
Occupational (Hand) Therapy
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. Pearse is a keen sportsman, currently playing for South Morang football club and surfing when time permits.
- Memberships:
- Australian Associates Occupational Therapy (AAOT)
Georgia Locke
Profile to follow.
- E | info@alphingtonsportsmed.com.au
- P | 9481 5744 F | 9481 3135