Doctor Team

Dr George Somers (MBBS, BMedSci, DRANZCOG, GradDipClinEpid, GCHPE, PhD, MRACGP (life) FAAETS, FACRRM)

George was born in Holland, and brought up in Monbulk and Tecoma. His choice to study medicine was mentored and supported by Dr Elef Jorgensen, the original doctor of Belgrave. George graduated in Medicine in 1976. He trained at the Royal Hobart hospital for a couple of years and studied Obstetrics at Kent and Canterbury Hospital, UK.

When Dr Spud Murphy, the original doctor in ‘the Hills beyond Belgrave’ died in 1981, his widow Margaret asked George to continue the practice. He accepted the challenge and has managed it ever since. He has always had a very strong interest in disaster medicine and community resilience. This originated during the Ash Wednesday bushfires, when he was a GP in Emerald, Cockatoo and Gembrook.

He set up the Clinical Skills program at the Gippsland Medical School in Churchill (Monash University School of Rural Health) in 2008, where he was appointed an Associate Professor at Monash University.

George continues to manage the centre from the sidelines with the able support of a very competent and capable medical, nursing and administrative team.

Dr Vassili Lapchine (PhD, MD, FRACGP)

Vassili graduated from Medical School in Russia. Once moving to Australia he completed the RACGP exams in 2003. He commenced work at Emerald Medical Centre in 1999.

Dr Nazmul Hoque (MBBS, MFamMed, FRACGP)

Nazmul has been consulting at EMC since 2004 after working in Tasmania for 3 years and having previously worked in South Africa, where he served as Principal Medical Officer at a general hospital. He enjoys family medicine & comprehensive patient care.

Dr Micaela Kemm (MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, DCH)

Micaela graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2008, before working at Eastern and Western Health as a junior doctor and completing her GP training in Canberra with a rural stint in Eden, NSW. She then spent 2 years working in Indigenous Health in the Northern Territory – Alice Springs and Galiwin’ku (Elcho Island).

Micaela enjoys general GP care including chronic disease management and preventative health. She has particular experience in paediatrics, women’s health, refugee health, contraception and family planning, mental health and youth health. She has interests in LGBTQI+ health including prescribing gender affirming hormone therapy under the informed consent model, and in antenatal and postnatal care including breastfeeding medicine and infant sleep using Neuroprotective Developmental Care* (or the ‘Possums’ program) *non-accredited.

Micaela uses a trauma informed approach during all consults. She can perform Implanon insertion and removal and Mirena/IUD removals.

Micaela is kept busy by her two young children and enjoys reading, weekends away and exploring the cafes, parks and walks around the Hills.

Dr Kasuni Hematilaka (MBBS, FRACGP, DRCOG(UK), MRCGP(UK))

Kasuni graduated from Barts and The Royal London Medical school in the UK in 2006.

Kasuni then gained further experience in various specialties such as Emergency Medicine, Children’s Health and Women’s Health before becoming a General Practitioner in 2011. Having worked as a GP in the UK for 6 years she then moved to Melbourne with her husband and 2 sons in 2017.

Kasuni enjoys the holistic aspect of family medicine and has particular interests in Women’s Health, Chronic Disease Management and Children’s Health. Kasuni is looking forward to providing ongoing care to the Hills Community.

In her spare time Kasuni enjoys exploring the outdoors with her family, dancing and baking.

Dr Nasir Bhuiyan (MBBS, MAcc, FRACGP, RANZCOG)

Dr Bhuiyan is a Fellow of Australian College of General Practitioners(RACGP) and Diplomate of Royal Australian New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (DRANZCOG).

He worked in Australian public hospitals for eight years including five years in Obstetrics & Gynecology and three years in various other specialities before commencing General Practice. He has interest in all aspects of General Practice, with a special interest in Office surgical procedures, Geriatric (Elderly) medicine, Women’s and Men’s health, Pregnancy care, Child Health, Skin, Travel medicine and preventative health care. He is affiliated for Shared Care with Monash Health.

He likes travel, watching sports on the TV and spending time with family.

Dr Johnathan Tham (BSc, MD, DRANZCOG)

Johnathan graduated from University of Melbourne in 2018. He completed his junior doctor training at Monash Health and Eastern Health network for two and a half years. During this time, he completed further training in Women’s health. He is interested in all areas of general practice with more emphasis on general medicine and preventative health.

Outside of medicine he enjoys running and volleyball.

Dr Safire Valentine (BA, BSc, MD, CertWH)

After graduating from the University of Melbourne in 2019, Dr. Valentine gained valuable experience at Eastern Health in various fields and obtained her certificate in women’s health. Her dedication to patient care and wellness shines through as she enjoys working in all aspects of general practice, including preventative care, women’s health, and chronic disease management. Beyond her professional commitments, Dr. Valentine has a love for gardening and finds solace in reading a good book with a comforting cup of tea.

Dr. Safire Valentine has successfully completed her six-month registrar training at Emerald Medical Centre. The exciting news is that she will be returning to join us in the hills for a long-term commitment mid-year 2024.

Dr Elisangela Caliari de Carvalho (GP Registrar)

Eli will be consulting at Emerald Medical Centre for the next 6 months as a GP registrar (finishing in Jan 2025). Eli was born in Brazil and graduated from Jundiai Medical School in 2000, working in the intensive care unit, coronary care unit and emergency department for several years before moving permanently to Australia in 2008.

Over the past ten years, Eli has worked at Peninsula and Eastern Health in the Emergency Department, General Medicine and Surgical Wards in which she has been exposed to a wide variety of patients and medical conditions with different acuities.

Eli has an easygoing nature and strong dedication to provide high quality patient care. She enjoys all aspects of medicine, especially preventative, children’s and women’s health and emergency care.

Eli enjoys cooking and spending time with family and friends in her spare time.

Dr Jonathan Beavers – Geriatrician (BMedSciHons, MBChB, MRCP, MRCPE, FRACP, ClinDipPallMed)

Consultant Specialist Physician in Geriatric Medicine

Jonathan is a local who is now providing the full spectrum of Geriatric Medicine for the Emerald community.

A Geriatrician is a doctor who specialises in managing health problems in older people. Jonathan has experience in looking after people with complicated health problems as well as people who are having difficulty managing their daily routine because of their health.

Jonathan did his medical degree at the University of Edinburgh and worked in Scotland and England before coming to Australia in 2011. He holds a public appointment at Alfred Health and has a strong interest in Medical Education, holding an appointment as an Adjunct Lecturer with Monash University.

Speak to your GP first about the suitability of booking an appointment for yourself or family member.

Dr Jo Nally (BMedSci, MBBS (Hons), DCH)

Currently on maternity leave

Jo graduated from University of Tasmania in 2009. She has worked at the Royal Children’s Hospital and multiple emergency departments before deciding to make the move to general practice. She loves scuba diving and is certified to perform scuba diving medicals. Recently she completed her Diploma in Child Health. Outside of work Jo enjoys diving, camping and walks in the hills with her two dogs.

Simone

Dr Simone Weragoda (MBBS. FRACGP. B.Physio(Hons)