Doctors
Dr David Soo
David graduated M.B.B.S from Monash in 1983. He had extensive GP training with the RACGP. He has worked in several Melbourne based clinics before starting in Geelong in 1996. He has an interest in Diabetes, Asthma management and holistic patient care. David has decided to set up Geelong West Medical Clinic, as he believes in family values, that family comes first.
Dr Darren Loo
Dr. Loo has an interest in General medicine, Men’s health, Child & Adolescent Health and Chronic disease management.
Dr. Loo speaks English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Dr Avdo Makas
Dr. Makas earned his medical degree in Sarajevo in 1987 and worked as a General Practitioner before migrating to Australia in 1993. In Australia, he worked at the Werribee Mercy Hospital and the Geelong Hospital where he held the position of Senior Medical Hospital Officer, gaining experience in various surgical disciplines, paediatric anesthetics, rehabilitation medicine, emergency, obstetric gynecology diploma and palliative care. In 2007, he became Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practice.
Dr. Makas possesses expertise in general medicine, pediatric care, women’s health, and minor surgical procedures.
Dr Nurjamal Shambetova
Dr Shambetova has been in Australia since 2013. Her interests are Women and Children’s Health, Chronic Disease Management, Mental Health and Skin Checks . Dr Nurjamal speak English, Russian and Kyrgyz. She is taking on New patients.
Dr Vijay Ng
Meet Dr Vijay Ng, She completed her medical degree in India, before migrating to Australia in 1978, working in an acute psychiatric unit and community health clinic for 12 years before becoming a GP
Vijay is a very passionate GP and her special interests are in mental health, women’s health, paediatrics and family planning.
Vijay enjoys spending time in the garden and enjoys travelling.
Vijay speaks Hindi and Punjabi.
Dr Layla Mekhael
Dr Layla Mekhael is a family doctor with a family of her own. She completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and is a Fellow of the Royal Australians College of General Practitioners (FRACGP). She has extensive experience working as a general practitioner and her special interests include women’s health, chronic disease management, skin cancer and dermatology.
Dr Rana Karakchi
We welcome Dr. Rana Karakchi to Geelong West Medical Centre! Dr. Karakchi will be starting with us from February.
Dr Karakchi graduated in 2010, and worked at Hamilton Base hospital in both medical and surgical units, and in the emergency department. After this, she began working as a general practitioner. Her interests are in children’s health and immunisations as she has young children of her own. She enjoys all aspects of general practice.
Dr. Karachi is fluent in English and Arabic.
Nurse Manager – Megan
After completing a Bachelor of Nursing degree at Deakin University, Megan has continued her love for Geelong in both the community and practice nursing fields.
Married, a mother to three beautiful children, Megan provides nothing but compassionate care in the work setting also. Further studies in the fields of immunisation, wound care, ear health and drug and alcohol testing add to an already well rounded general practice knowledge base.
Megan loves that “every day in practice nursing provides a unique challenge and the opportunity to care for others”.
Front Desk Staff
Our front desk reception staff consist of Mariska, Cathy, Diana and Krista. They are very much family oriented with children of their own. You will always be welcomed with a friendly smile with the 4 ladies showing enormous empathy to all patients. Mariska and Cathy have worked many years in this profession, with Cathy branching out to be a marriage celebrant as well. Diana and Krista have worked with the community all her life and has a great understanding of people’s needs. They look forward to welcoming you to the clinic.
Nurses
Megan, Jorji, Ruth and Ash are the wonderful caring nurses at the clinic, with many years of nursing experience.
With a range of skills and competencies including Nurse Immunisers, Micro ear suction, wound care, health assessments and chronic disease management, our nurses are always happy to help you.
Diabetes Educator
Alex Beard is our diabetes educator
Dietician –
Monica Caixinha
Monica Caixinha is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with over 20 years of experience in clinical nutrition. She has worked in various settings, including private practice, hospitals, and academia, both in Australia and overseas. Monica is passionate about helping individuals achieve their health and nutrition goals by providing personalised, evidence-based dietary advice. Her expertise spans a wide range of conditions such as weight management, disordered eating behaviour, cardiovascular health, gastrointestinal issues, diabetes, food intolerances, and women’s health. With a warm and approachable manner, Monica is dedicated to empowering her clients to make positive, sustainable changes for long-term well-being.
Podiatrist –
Sam Meehan
Sam is a dedicated Podiatrist with a strong passion for helping individuals manage lower limb pain and running-related injuries. With years of experience as a footwear sales assistant, he seamlessly integrates his knowledge of footwear into his clinical practice, providing holistic care tailored to his patients needs.
Sam holds a Masters in Podiatric Practice from La Trobe University and has worked in diverse settings, including private podiatry clinics, medical centres, and multidisciplinary healthcare teams. This breadth of experience enables him to offer comprehensive treatment options such as gait analysis and running assessments, footwear evaluation and advice, orthotic prescriptions, and partial nail avulsion procedures for ingrown toenails.
An avid runner himself, Sam recently completed his first 50km ultramarathon, giving him a personal understanding of the challenges faced by active individuals. Outside of work, he enjoys spending quality time with his family and passionately supports his favourite football teams, the Geelong Cats and Everton FC.
Physio
Mark Harris has over 39 years experience as a physiotherapist. working with people with chronic pain, joint, muscle and neurological conditions. He uses a blend of new and traditional techniques, such as dry needling, to improve pain and quality of life.
Senior/Women’s Health Physiotherapist and Clinical Rehabilitation Instructor
Monique completed a Masters of Physiotherapy complimented with a Bachelor of Health Science at La Trobe University Bundoora. Now settled in Geelong with a wealth of overseas experience in London.
Monique taken part in further studies in Women’s Health. She has advanced, post-graduate training in the assessment and management of a variety of Women’s Health conditions. She understands the delicate care that is required when managing your concern and we are passionate about providing a calming and welcoming environment where you feel comfortable and cared for.
As a keen runner and pilates enthusiast, Monique has an understanding of the impact injuries can have on your physical and emotional well-being. She capitalises on her firsthand experience to injury and uses this to find common ground with her patients. Monique aims to provide a positive environment for her patients to thrive in, by facilitating mindful movement and encouraging confidence in their body’s ability.
Contact Us
Ask a question or book an appointment below.
For emergencies call 000 or visit your nearest hospital
(03) 4245 2088
(03) 4245 2188
10-12 Church St, North Geelong 3215