Mr Benjamin Keong is a General Surgeon with a clinical interest in upper gastrointestinal surgery and bariatric surgery.

He graduated with an MBBS from the University of Melbourne in 2003. He completed his residency and general surgical training at the Austin Hospital, Heidelberg.  Ben completed his surgical training and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2012. He then undertook 4 years of post-fellowship training at Box Hill Hospital and St George Hospital, Sydney. For two of those years he was selected as a trainee on the highly competitive post-fellowship national Upper GI training program run by the Australia and New Zealand Gastric and Oesophageal Surgery Association (ANZGOSA).

During his training he gained experience in management of benign and malignant gastric, oesophageal and pancreatic conditions. His year of fellowship at St George Hospital and is accredited at the Bariatric Centre of Excellence, xthis gave him invaluable experience in all aspects of bariatric surgery, including management of its potentially-serious complications.

He has had experience in elective and emergency general surgery, and is GESA-accredited for endoscopy. Ben has a keen interest in junior medical staff teaching and has been involved with medical student and registrar teaching at Eastern Health. He is a faculty member of the ASSET course for the College of Surgeons. He has presented research on topics including common bile duct stone management, and manometry in post-bariatric patients.

Ben holds a strong belief in collaborating with patients to allow them to make the best decision for themselves. He also believes that involving the patient’s GP as a core part of the team will help to achieve the best possible long-term outcomes for patients, and is happy to be contacted at any time for advice.

Mr Khaleel is a General Surgeon with clinical interests in Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary (HPB) and Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) surgery.

Mr Mohammed Khaleel completed his general surgical training at Western Health and subsequently undertook three significant fellowships in Hepato-Pancreatico-Biliary (HPB) and Upper Gastrointestinal (UGI) surgery. He began his advanced training as an HPB Fellow at The Alfred, further developed his expertise as an HPB & Liver Transplant Fellow at the Austin Hospital, and refined his general surgical and endoscopic skills at Ballarat Base Hospital. His commitment to minimally invasive techniques is highlighted by a Master's degree in this field from the University of Adelaide.

Mr Khaleel’s experience across tertiary, regional, and rural health services, including South Australia, has contributed to his clinical skills and the capacity to deliver patient care across a variety of healthcare settings.

Ms Lai is a General Surgeon with interests in endocrine and laparoscopic surgery. Clinical interests include gallbladder surgery, open and laparoscopic hernia surgery, thyroid, parathyroid and parotid surgery. She also performs gastroscopy and colonoscopy with a GESA accreditation.

She completed her medical degree at the University of Melbourne in 2002, and her surgical fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2011. She then furthered her training in General and Endocrine Surgery. Ms Lai was appointed as a Consultant Surgeon in 2013 at The Northern Hospital and Epping and Werribee Mercy Hospital, Werribee.

Dr Betty Lai has a wide breath of experience in treating and managing surgical conditions. She has performed hundreds of general surgical and Endocrine cases such as gallbladder surgery, hernia surgery, thyroid, parathyroid and parotid surgery.

She is committed in providing excellent patients care by providing prompt review of patient, excellent communication ensuring patients are well informed.

She has been appointed as the Head of Acute Surgery Unit at The Northern Hospital, Epping since 2015. This has allowed her to work closely and teach junior doctors and registrars. She also participates in the teaching program for local General Practitioners and is amongst a few female surgeons in Melbourne.

Ms Lai is fluent in written and spoken Mandarin, Cantonese, Hakka and Malay.

Main interests include:

• Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy: management of gastric ulcer, reflux, colonic polyp, positive FOBT, iron deficiency anaemia.
• Laparoscopic Surgery: cholecystectomy, hernia and adrenal Surgery, management of gallstone /gallbladder polyps, hernia surgery.
• Perianal Diseases: haemorrhoid, fistula, fissure surgery.
• Minor Surgery: skin lesion excision, vasectomy, ingrown toenail, pilonidal surgery, Carpal tunnel surgery, circumcision, varicose vein surgey.
• Endocrine Surgery: management of thyroid nodules, thyroid cancers and neck dissection, management of Hyperparathyroidism, Parathyroid adenoma, minimally invasive Parathyroid surgery, salivary gland surgery, management of submandibular stones and Parotid urgery, management of Parotid tumour, Thyroglossal cyst and Branchial cyst surgery.

Dr Irena Laska completed her basic physician training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. She did her specialist training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at the Royal Hobart Hospital, Western Health and Melbourne Sleep Disorders Centre.

During her medical training, Dr Laska gained experience in the fields of intensive care medicine at Monash Health and palliative care medicine at Alfred Health. Additionally, in 2018 she completed a Clinical Diploma of Palliative Care Medicine.

In 2019, Dr Laska undertook Clinical Research Fellowship in Bronchiectasis in Scotland. She had the opportunity to work with internationally distinguished bronchiectasis specialists. Her research was published in internationally renowned journals, including the Lancet Respiratory Journal. Her work in this field is quoted in the international bronchiectasis guidelines.

Dr Laska likes all facets of respiratory and sleep medicine, with interest in bronchiectasis, COPD, obstructive sleep apnoea and insomnia.

She is a member of the Thoracic Society of Australia and New Zealand (TSANZ), European Respiratory Society (ERS), Australasian Sleep Association (ASA), American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) and the World Sleep Society.

Irena enjoys playing music in her spare time. She also performs professionally with the Corpus Medicorum orchestra raising money for multiple charities

Dr Joanna Lenaghan is a consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, subspecialising in Foot and Ankle Surgery. She holds dual public appointments, at Maroondah and the Northern Hospitals. Dr Lenaghan treats all patients with care and consideration, as well as technical excellence and knowledge from over ten years of clinical experience.

After graduating from Medicine at The University of Melbourne in 1999, she pursued academic interests alongside her clinic work, being awarded a Masters of Surgery by Research from University of Melbourne in 2005, as well as her Diploma of Surgical Anatomy from Melbourne University Private in 2004. Dr Joanna Lenaghan achieved her Fellowship in Orthopaedic Surgery through the Royal Australian College of Surgeons in 2011. Throughout her training she has had roles working at hospitals across Melbourne, regional Victoria, Tasmania, Portland USA and Nairobi, Kenya.

Her interest in education and teaching has continued with roles as Anatomy Tutor at University of Melbourne, Senior Lecturer Monash and Deakin Universities and Honorary Senior Lecturer at University of Melbourne.

She is an Orthopaedic trainee supervisor at both Maroondah Hospital and The Northern Hospital.

Dr Joanna Lenaghan spent the last ten years committed to her work in Foot and Ankle Surgery, regularly attending conferences, workshops and collaborating with colleagues to offer patients the highest level of care. She has an interest in arthroscopic and minimally invasive foot and ankle surgery, forefoot reconstruction, trauma and sports injuries, foot deformity and reconstruction.

Dr Joanna Lenaghan is a second-generation Orthopaedic Surgeon and is one of five Lenaghan surgeons.

Dr Teresa Leung is a general haematologist with a broad range of clinical Haematology experiences. She obtained her Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Melbourne and undertook her haematology training at institutions including Austin Hospital, (clinical and diagnostic laboratory haematology), as well as the Royal Melbourne Hospital (clinical haematology and bone marrow transplant service).

Dr Leung is the Head of Clinical Haematology Department at Northern Health. She is also a visiting haematologist at Alfred Health. Her interest is in multiple myeloma, lymphoma and chronic lymphocytic leukaemia and their first line treatments.

Dr Leung has a passion for teaching and clinical research, and has produced several publications together with her trainees, as well as serving as a mentor for junior medical staff and medical students from University of Melbourne.

Dr Leung is pleased to see referrals on both malignant and non-malignant blood disorders, as well as provide advice on abnormal haematological investigations.

Dr Diana Lewis completed her Advanced Gastroenterology training at Eastern Health in Melbourne. During this time, she was exposed to a wide spectrum of gastroenterological conditions and endoscopic procedures.

On completion of her specialist training, Diana completed her PhD through Monash University in viral hepatitis, with a focus on community screening and improved health outcomes.

Dr Diana Lewis has a broad range of interests in all areas of gastroenterology, including:

• Chronic liver disease
• Hepatitis B and C
• Fatty Liver disease
• Gastro-oesophageal Reflux Disease
• Coeliac disease
• Irritable Bowel Disease 
• Polyp Surveillance and Bowel Cancer Screening
• Endoscopy (gastroscopy and colonoscopy)

She strongly believes that a patient-centred and collaborative care approach is key, as well as open communication between herself, the primary care health provider and the patient.

Dr Diana Lewis currently holds a public appointment as Consultant Gastroenterologist at Northern Health and consults privately in Bundoora. Diana is available for urgent consultations. She performs procedures at the Victorian Day Procedure Centre. 

Dr Diana Lewis can be contacted by referring clinicians to discuss referrals or clinical concerns via email (dr.lewis@gastronorth.com.au) or phone.

Han obtained his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University of Melbourne and completed his Cardiology training at the Austin Hospital, before undertaking training in the area of cardiac electrophysiology and device implantations. Han’s PhD thesis was onin stroke prevention in atrial fibrillation (AF).

His overseas advanced cardiac electrophysiology fellowship, saw him train train with Professor Michel Haissaguerre in Bordeaux, France, a pioneer in the technique of catheter ablation for AF.
Han has extensive experience in catheter ablation for complex arrhythmias, including the latest ablation techniques for AF, supraventricular tachycardia and ventricular tachycardia, as well as pacemaker and implantable cardioverter-defibrillator implantations.

Han is a recipient of the NHMRC (National Health and Medical Research Council) Medical Postgraduate Scholarship for his PhD, and the Parmley Prize from the American College of Cardiology in 2012. He was also a Finalist in the American Heart Association Samuel Levine Young Investigator Award in 2014 and a recipient of the NHMRC Neil Hamilton Fairley Early Career Fellowship. Han has a strong track record of peer-reviewed journal publications in major international cardiology journals in Cardiac Electrophysiology and Cardiology .His research areas focus on catheter ablation for AF, stroke prevention in AF and sudden cardiac death.

Qualifications
• MBBS (University of Melbourne)
• PhD
• FRACP
• FESC
• Postgraduate Advanced Electrophysiology Fellowship: Bordeaux, France

Dr Laura Maddy obtained her medical degree from Deakin University in 2011 and completed her training in haematology in Victoria at Barwon Health, St Vincent’s Hospital, Austin Health, and Northern Health. She obtained dual fellowships from the Royal Australasian Colleges of Physicians and Pathologists in 2020 and cared for patients in regional Victoria throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.Laura enjoys seeing a breadth of haematology cases, both malignant and benign, with a focus on compassionate and patient-centred care.

Dr Usman Mahmood is a General Physician with broad knowledge of Nephrology and its related areas, providing kidney care and treatment of kidney disease. He is also a General Physician. After graduating in 2006, Dr Mahmood underwent post-graduate training in public hospitals across Victoria, Northern Territory and Queensland. In 2017, he was awarded a fellowship of Royal Australasian College of Physicians.

Dr Mahmood has public appointments at Northern Health and Western Health. He also consults privately in Epping and Gisborne He has published publications in various peer-review journals. He is a current Editor with Intech Open, world's biggest publisher of open access books. Dr Mahmood is passionate about teaching junior medical staff including residents and medical students. Dr Mahmood also look after peri-operative patients and holds a certificate in Perioperative Medicine from the Alfred Hospital. He regularly attends local and international conferences and has a certification in Clinical Nephropathology from the Harvard University, USA.

When Dr Mahmood is not treating patients, he loves teaching junior medical staff, including residents and medical students.

Dr Mahmood can speak four languages including English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi and can consult in these languages. Outside work, he is a cricket lover and enjoys spending time with his family.