Meet Our Team

Homaira Ekhlass

CDM Admin and Senior Receptionist

Homaira’s primary role will be to assist doctors with care plans, health assessments ensuring the patients attend their appts on time and follow up appts/phone calls are all arranged in advance for continuity of care.

Niharika Ahluwalia

Junior Casual Receptionist

Ichchhya Basal

Registered Nurse

Dr Rumi Liyanagamage

General Practitioner

Available:  Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri plus one Sat/mth

Rumi is an empathetic senior general practitioner with 20 years of experience in Australian general practice. She is passionate about helping patients achieve their health goals and promoting social and emotional wellbeing.

Rumi studied medicine in the University of Adelaide on a merit scholarship awarded to her based on her academic excellence in HSC. She moved to Sydney and worked in St Vincent’s Hospital and Nepean Hospital as a resident medical officer, acquiring many skills. She also completed a diploma in child health at Westmead Hospital.

She enjoys looking after children, adolescents, young adults, and elderly people alike. She treats three generations of the same family. She also inserts intra uterine devices, hormone implants and engages in women’s health. Having looked after her elderly mother with dementia, she is keen on supporting elderly patients and their families too.

In her free time, she practices mindful meditation.

Dr Hanaa Wanis

General Practitioner

Available: Mon, Wed & Fri plus one Sat/mth

Hanaa has a Bachelor of Medicine (Hons) and a Diploma of Child Health. Although she has an interest in all aspects of general practice, her special interests are in the health of women, young adults, adolescents and children as well as travel and anti-ageing medicine.

She performs procedures including the anti-wrinkle injections and fillers, and is a certified Implanon provider. In line with the practice philosophy her goal is to promote health awareness to the local community and empower everyone, especially the new generations, to achieve a positive healthier self and society. Outside of work Hanaa enjoys art, learning music and spending quality time with her children.

Care Plans with Dr Hanaa Wanis

Dr Wanis discusses the reasons why it is important to have a care plan in place and also being treated by the same doctor.

Dr Ayesha Choudhury

General Practitioner

Available:  Mon, Wed, Fri and occasional Saturdays

Ayesha undertook her internship and residency at Bankstown Hospital and Campbelltown hospital. As well as enjoying all aspects of general practice, she has a special interest in paediatrics, women’s health and aged care/geriatrics. She is also interested in medical research and has done research work in lymphoma with The Canberra Hospital.

Dr Melissa Joseph

General Practitioner

Available:  Tue, Fri plus one Sat/mth

Melissa chose to set up her practice at this location, with the support of the RFMP team, in 2019 after gathering career experience in a wide variety of areas.  Melissa is passionate about working with patients to help them achieve and maintain their best health. She enjoys the individualised challenge of meeting the needs of patients, and establishing goals that align with each patient’s unique life journey.

On work days when Melissa is not at the practice, you will find her pursuing her special interest in medical education. She works for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners as Deputy Head of Training for the Nepean, Western and Northern Sydney local area, supporting out-of-practice education and mentoring for GPs in training.

In her spare time, Melissa is a keen orienteer and enjoys travelling to all parts of the state and country to find new forests in which to run.

Dr Lize Harrison

General Practitioner

Available:  

Lize is working towards fellowship in General Practice through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. She attained her medical degree from Western Sydney University, and has worked at Northern Beaches and Hornsby hospitals along with the Children’s Hospital at Westmead. She has also worked in GP practices in the Northern Beaches and Lower Mountains areas.

Lize has completed further training in paediatrics through the Sydney Child Health Program. She enjoys all areas of general practice, and has special interests in paediatrics, preventative medicine, and women’s health. In her spare time, Lize enjoys baking and spending time with her young family.

Dr Matthew Lam

General Practitioner

Available:  Due to an unexpected family illness, Dr Lam has had to reduce his working schedule to Tuesdays only starting immediately.  If you are unable to secure an appointment with Dr Lam, please consult one of the registrars or any of the available doctors at the practice.

Dr Matthew Lam graduated from The University of New South Wales (2013) and completed residency training at Westmead and Ryde Hospitals with a focus in Emergency Care.  He then completed his GP specialty training in 2020.

Dr Lam’s interest areas are in chronic disease (esp. diabetes, cardiovascular and renal diseases), aged care and preventative care.  Outside of the clinic he also works in the assessment of GP trainees, editing clinical guidelines and advising healthcare companies.

When not at work Dr Lam enjoys spending time with his family, walking his pet greyhound and trying to survive a Crossfit WOD.

Care Plans with Dr Matthew Lam

Dr Lam discusses why care plans are so important to assist in detecting problems before they occur.

Dr Aarti Ganapathi

General Practitioner

Available:  Mon & Thu (8:00am to 6:00pm)

BSc, MBBS, Diploma of Child Health, FRACGP, Certificate of Reproductive and and Sexual Health.

Aarti is an experienced GP with a wide breadth of knowledge in all aspects of general practice. She has a keen interest in women and children’s health, mental health, management of chronic and complex illness, addiction medicine and care for LGBTQ+ communities.

Aarti completed her medical training at the University of Sydney and subsequently worked at Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Canterbury Hospital and in paediatrics at the Children’s Hospital Westmead. She has worked for a number of years as a medical officer at Silverchain Palliative Care, providing end of life care to those with terminal illness’ in Western Sydney.

Aarti is currently completing further specialist training in Addiction Medicine and is an accredited prescriber for Opiate Substitution Therapy.  

She works at Riverstone Family Medical Practice on Mondays and Thursdays.

Dr Melody Ling Chiou

General Practitioner

Available:  Mon, Thu & Fri

Dr Melody Chiou completed her postgraduate medical degree from the Australian National University. She attained Fellowship of Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2021. As a junior doctor she gained experience in wide ranging areas including Renal Medicine, Gastroenterology, Orthopaedics, Emergency, General Surgery & Medicine, Paediatrics, and Obstetrics and Gynaecology at The Canberra Hospital and St George Public Hospital.

Dr Chiou loves the breadth of knowledge required in general practice and the ability to provide continuity of care to her patients. With extensive experience in Women’s Health, she can provide antenatal shared care and insert Implanons. She also has a keen interest in skin cancer and performs minor skin procedures including biopsies and excisions. She is proficient in diagnosing and treating musculoskeletal conditions owing to her undergraduate degree in Physiotherapy.

Dr Chiou speaks fluent Mandarin. Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her young family, dancing, traveling and reading.

Care Plans with Dr Melody Chiou

Dr Chiou discusses why care plans are so important to assist in detecting problems before they occur.

Dr Jacqueline Phan

GP Registrar

Dr Jacqueline Phan is a GP registrar who graduated from the University of New England and completed her internship and residency at Westmead and Liverpool Hospitals.  During her training, she had experience in Women’s and Children’s Health, Emergency Medicine, Palliative Care and General Medicine.  She has also completed the Sydney Child Health Program.

Her focus is on holistic, patient cantered care and she has a special interest in older person’s Medicine and Palliative Care.

Dr Larry Lam

GP Registrar

Available:  Mon, Wed, Thu & alternate Saturdays

Larry is a doctor who graduated in Medicine/Surgery from Western Sydney University. From there, he undertook internship and residency training at Liverpool Hospital before choosing to specialise in General Practice with his early experience in Katoomba. As a GP registrar, he has also completed the Sydney Child Health Program (formerly known as Diploma in Child Health) and Family Planning NSW’s Implanon Insertion and Removal Training. He is almost finished his specialty training and just as enthusiastic as ever to provide high quality holistic care to patients.

Care Plans with Dr Larry Lam

Dr Lam discusses why care plans are so important to assist in detecting problems before they occur.

Dr Karen Zheng

GP Registrar

Dr Karen Zheng is a GP registrar who completed her medical degree at the University of New South Wales and underwent internship and residency training at Hornsby Hospital, Northern Beaches Hospital and Westmead Children’s Hospital with experience in Emergency Medicine, Paediatrics, Orthopaedics, General Surgery, Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology.

She is passionate about caring for patients from all walks of life and patient-centred care.  She has a particular interest in Women’s and Children’s health and is currently completing the Graduate Diploma of Child Health to further her knowledge in looking after paediatric patients.

Dr Hannah Galvin

GP Registrar

Available:  Tue, Wed & Fri

Dr Hannah Galvin is a Registrar of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and obtained her medical degree at the University of Notre Dame, Sydney. Prior to studying medicine she completed a degree in Nutrition and Exercise and Sport Science at Sydney University.

Hannah has worked for over 5 years in medicine including training in Paediatrics at Sydney Children’s hospital.

Hannah has a rural background and enjoys working with people of all ages and backgrounds. She likes all aspects of General Practice with a special interest in Paediatrics, Women’s Health, Chronic Disease and Mental Health, with a focus on delivering holistic care and health education.

Eve Van Der Weerd

Receptionist

Eve has multiple years of experience in medical reception and strives to always serve every patient with kindness and a smile.

When she is not working, Eve has multiple years of experience in medical reception and strives to always serve every patient with kindness and a smile.

Michelle Dean

Clinical Nurse Leader

Michelle has worked as a Registered Nurse since 1993. She began General Practice Nursing in 2010 as a Part-time Practice Nurse. Previously she has worked in the operating theatres in two Western Sydney Public Hospitals. In 1999 she undertook her Graduate Certificate in Child & Family Health, with a view to move into the Community setting. Michelle enjoys the one to one contact she has with her patients, and hopes she can make a positive impact on their lives.

Bronwyn Blair

Registered Nurse

Bronwyn has worked as a Registered Nurse since 1990. She began General Practice nursing in 2010 and started at RFMP in 2011 as a part time Practice Nurse. Previously, she worked for 20 years in several Emergency Departments in western Sydney, both public and private. She continues to work in a private Emergency Department on a casual basis. In 2009 she completed her Certificate IV in Training and Assessment and worked for 2 years teaching and assessing undergraduate Nurses at UWS. In 2010 she completed the Immunisation certificate. She enjoys Practice Nursing as she can use skills learned in both Emergency Nursing and teaching as well as new skills she has learned since working in general practice. She is married with 3 children and has a special interest in the local community since she grew up in the area.

Emma Tull

Registered Nurse

Emma completed her Registered Nursing Degree in 2019 and shortly after started with RFMP in the COVID Respiratory Clinic. Emma’s fun, bubbly personality and pink scrubs, bring joy to the practice as she strives to put a smile on all her patients and co-workers faces.

Emma enjoys Practice Nursing as she is able to work with people of all ages. She one day hopes to further her studies into midwifery, to be able to work in Paediatrics or Antenatal care.

Harmony Ruruku

Endorsed Enrolled Nurse

Harmony is our Endorsed Enrolled Nurse all the way from New Zealand.  She has had years of experience in Aged Care with a passion for wound care. Harmony undertook extra training in delivery of medication and immunisations. She values the opportunity to develop strong therapeutic relationships with our patients. Harmony works full-time Monday to Friday.

Rupalben Patel

Registered Nurse

Rupal has joined RFMP with more than 10 years of hospital experience, has switched to primary healthcare near her home to save travel time and accommodate her family commitments.  She’s  now integrating her hospital-based clinical skills into a new focus on community health and patient care outside of hospital settings.

Linda Chee

Physiotherapist

Linda has been a physiotherapist for over 30 years with 5 years at Prince Henry Hospital at Little Bay. The historic “Coast Hospital” is now gone due to its highly prized real estate. It was renowned for its Infectious Diseases Hospital where polio victims were isolated and treated in the 1950’s. The remoteness made it suitable for patients with leprosy, tuberculosis and other highly infectious diseases.

It followed that it also became a specialist hospital for spinal injuries and rehabilitation. Polio patients would come to stay for respite and utilise the old “iron lung” which was stored on the spinal ward.

Prince Henry Hospital also had a specialised Hyperbaric Chamber for decompression treatment for divers who developed nitrogen narcosis or “the bends”.

During the 1980s Linda worked in Epping private practice and in the early 1990s moved to the Hawkesbury area where she went into her own physio practice where she worked for 20 years.

It was during these years that she was able to delve into many aspects of her profession and continuing education. Courses included Maitland Spinal and Joint mobilisation, McKenzie Method and a number of Sports Medicine workshops.

Her favourite courses included the Feldenkrais Method which was introduced in the mid-1980s. This method of movement and therapy involved connected mind-body movements.

It was back then that she commenced her early work with Women’s Health. This interest continues to this day.

Linda introduced the Pilates Method into the Hawkesbury in the mid-1990s, setting up a small studio for the rehabilitation of her clients following many kinds of injuries like severe back conditions, hip and knee replacement recovery and general strengthening. She has combined her pelvic floor recovery after childbirth or pelvic floor weakness and prolapse with Pilates to provide a whole body approach to posture, strength and flexibility.

She is also involved with “The Wise Hippo” which is a beautiful form of teaching women “the right birth on the day”. Offering pre and post-natal massage and infant massage is an extension of her women’s’ health practices. The focus of pregnancy massage is on the relief of back pain, realignment of the pelvis and subsequent postural improvement. Linda can discuss various aspects about pre and post natal concerns such as Natural Childbirth Relaxation Techniques, Pelvic Floor Recovery Exercises, Abdominal Support, Lifting with Baby, PILATES Post Natal Packages, Infant Massage, Diastisis Assessment (separation of the rectus abdominus), Pelvitone Pelvic Floor Stimulator and the PeriCoach System.

Linda has done a number of courses with Sarah Key, physio to the Royal Family and writer of a number of best-selling books on the spine. A very yoga-based technique of looking at movement and exercise, Linda combines Sarah’s principles of treatment and mobility, together with Pilates for strengthening and lengthening of tissues. She believes that “hands-on” treatment is the basis of healing that patients seek. Patients in pain seek reassurance and settling, then they are more receptive to listening to advice on self- healing and motivation to exercise.

Linda continues her education and interest in her profession, especially with women’s health, Pilates and yoga techniques. Keeping busy within her profession is very important to her as her children and grandchildren now live overseas.

Linda is available for appointments on Mondays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Linda can also provide physio supplies like:

• CAM Boots for injured and fractured ankles
• Range of Motion, adjustable full length knee braces
• Aircast Ankle Braces
• Crutches
• Kinesio-Taping supplies
• Back Corsets
• Bassett Back Supports
• Theraband per/metre
• Pulleys
• TENS units
• Pilates and Yoga equipment
• Pelvic Floor Stimulators-Pelvitone and now the newly released Pericoach System with APP for IPhone

Linda is also able to take orders for specific equipment and supplies.

Winnie Cheung

GP Registrar

Rosy Sarao

Business Manager

Rosy Sarao serves as the General Manager of the Riverstone Family Medical Practice, Riverstone. Rosy has more than 11 years of experience in the healthcare industry and has held management positions for 9 years in her previous organisations.

Prior to joining RFMP, Riverstone, Rosy served as Practice Manager and has been recognised as an excelling leader fostering quality care, teamwork and striving for excellence. She firmly believes in finding a solution approach.

Rosy has an Advanced Diploma in Business Management and her skillset of strategic planning and coordination, expertise in healthcare operations and providing quality standards are valuable addition to RFMP.

Rosy is enthusiastic to be taking new challenges on board and aid in business development. When she is not working, she is a mum with two kids who loves to cook, play and read.

Isabelle Geeves

Admin Team Leader & CDM Admin

Belle joined the team in April 2020 and despite joining during the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, she quickly developed a love for working in general practice.  She is continuously working hard to build her leadership skills and support the administration team to provide the best quality care to our patients.

When she’s not at work she enjoys spending time with family and adventuring outdoors.

Dua Khan

Casual Receptionist

Dua

Khyati Walia

Receptionist

Khyati joined the RFMP team in May of 2023.  She is currently an undergraduate student at the University of New South Wales.

Khyati aims to provide a welcoming presence for all patients and takes pride in ensuring that every patient’s visit is seamless and comfortable.

Outside of work, Khyati enjoys spending time outdoors with family and friends.

Claire Alchin

Senior Receptionist

Claire has worked as a medical receptionist for over 13 years and endeavours to provide all patients with exceptional customer service. She prides herself on being kind, compassionate and understanding. She loves what she does and enjoys being able to assist patients during their visits to RFMP.

Debbie Buckley

Receptionist

Debbie has been working as a medical receptionist for the past 16 years and during this time she has had the privilege to deliver not only excellent customer service to patients who have booked appointments but also for those who come to our clinic in the case of an emergency.

She has a passion for treating patients with care and respect and greets people with a warm smile and a friendly chat to help brighten their day and this enables her to manage the front desk with a sense of calm.

Since joining the RFMP team in 2021 she has had the pleasure of assisting patients in their search for better health outcomes together with our clinical teams. 

When not at work she loves spending time with her six children and fourteen grandchildren, which keep her very busy.

Trisha Suresh

Receptionist

Trisha is currently a university student studying a Bachelor of Actuarial Studies at UNSW.  She joined the RFMP team in May of 2024 and enjoys welcoming patients, helping them meet their personal needs. 

Outside of work, Trisha enjoys spending time with her family and friends.

Chanchal Chanchal

Receptionist

Chanchal is currently at university studying an undergraduate program to pursue medicine afterwards.

She enjoys working as a medical receptionist to work with patients one on one to help resolve their enquires on daily basis. 

She strives to serve patients with empathy to aid healthcare at RFMP.