Meet our Doctors
Dr Amani Bishai
Amani is the sole principal GP of South Hurstville Family Practice. She graduated in 1992 from the University of Sydney. She worked as an intern and a resident medical officer at St George, Canterbury, and Sutherland Hospitals. In 1994, she was a senior resident at the Westmead
Children's Hospital where she completed a Diploma of Child Health (D C H). Dr Bishai has been in General Practice since 1996 and has completed the training for the fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, and is now an examiner. She is married with two adult children, and is committed to church service.
Dr Divya Vaswani
Divya is also a graduate from the University of Sydney, having completed her degree in 2011. Divya has worked in St George, Sutherland, Wollongong and Griffith Base Hospitals. She is a fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners
. Divya can also speak Hindi fluently. Her special interests are Chronic Disease, Skin cancer and Mental Health.
Dr Fiona Elliott
Fiona also graduated from the University of Sydney in 2011. Hospital years spent at St George, Sutherland and Calvary Hospitals. She is a fellow of the Royal College of General Practitioners. Dr Elliott enjoys all aspects of General practice but particularly Women and children's health. Has a young daughter who keeps her busy but tries to fit in some yoga each day.
Dr Andrew Ung
Dr Ung joined our team in August 2020. Dr Ung completed his medical degree at Western Sydney University in 2016. Prior to this he completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy (Honours) at the University of Sydney. He has worked at St George, Sutherland and Calvary Hospitals during his internship and residency. He is currently working towards fellowship recognition with the RACGP. Dr Ung enjoys all aspects of general practice from paediatrics through to geriatrics and chronic disease management.
Dr Lillian Zhang
Dr Lillian Zhang joined our growing practice in April 2023. Lillian initially completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy before graduating from Medicine with Honours at the University of Sydney in 2014. She then trained at St George and Sutherland Hospitals before becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. Dr Lillian enjoys all aspects of general practice and has special interests in women's' and children's health as well as perinatal care. Dr Lillian can speak Mandarin and Shanghainese. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her young family and friends at church.
Dr Demi Guirguis
Dr Demi Guirguis graduated from Bond University MD in 2017.
She obtained her general practice fellowship of The Royal Australian College of General Practitioner (FRACGP) in 2023 and completed the Sydney Child Health Program in 2024. Demi completed her hospital training at Blacktown, Mt Druitt and Canterbury hospitals where she gained experience in Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Geriatrics, Cardiology and Respiratory Medicine.
Her special interests include women's' health, pediatrics and chronic disease management but enjoys all aspects of general practice.
Outside of work she enjoys travelling and spending time with family and friends.
Dr Shelley Pearson
Dr Pearson completed her postgraduate medical degree from the University of Sydney in 2020. Prior to this, she received her undergraduate science degree from Sydney University and also worked as a clinical research assistant in diabetes and heart disease research at Westmead Hospital. She has previously worked at St George and Sutherland Hospitals as well as Calvary Rehabilitation hospital.
Shelley has returned to our practice after receiving her fellowship with the RACGP in 2024. Shelley has a special interest in women's health and paediatrics, and in her spare time she enjoys travel, reading and hiking.
Dr James Allen
Dr Allen is joining out team of doctors in Feb 2025. Dr Allen is a graduate of Flinders University in his hometown of Adelaide in 2018.
He subsequently took the opportunity to explore Australia by moving to Darwin to complete his hospital-based terms, and then around rural NSW to build skills in palliative medicine.
After commencing his training in general practice in Bathurst, he has since relocated to Sydney to complete his fellowship training, and has a particular interest in chronic disease management and preventive health. Outside of medicine, James is a keen traveller and enjoys planning his future adventures abroad.
Meet our Nurses
Donna Devine - Practice Nurse
Donna graduated from Edinburgh Napier University, Scotland with a Bachelor of Science in Adult Nursing. Donna has extensive nursing care experience from the U.K. to Australia over over 20yrs in pre and post acute invasive surgery including areas such as Upper Gastrointestinal, Liver, Colorectal, Bariatric and general surgery/medicine. Donna specialises in acute and basic wound care, post operative ongoing care, stoma therapy, oncology, men's/woman's and babies health, bariatrics and all areas of general nursing care. She is a passionate nurse who takes great care and pride in all patients care pathways and experiences with the allied team to ensure a positive outcome with all care delivered.
Donna consults at South Hurstville Medical Centre on Monday, Tuesday, Thursdays.
Diana Swift - Practice Nurse
Diana is a dedicated nurse with a solid academic foundation and a compassionate approach to patient care.
Diana graduated from Sydney University in 1992 with a Diploma of Applied Science Nursing , and since 2001 she has been proud to serve the community at St George Public Hospital. Her work is driven by a commitment to holistic, effective communication, and community well-being.
Working closely with the interdisciplinary team has allowed Diana to bring comprehensive care solutions to each patient. Away from work, she values a balanced life enriched by family and compassion to animals.
Diana is married with two children, where her commitment to nurture and care extend beyond her workplace. She is also the proud guardian of four rescue fur babies, which reflect her passion for making a difference to every life.
Jenine Russell – Practice Nurse
Jenine is a highly experienced joyful member of our medical team. She completed her General Nurse Training at St George Public Hospital in 1986. She has a Bachelor of Health from UWS and Cardiothoracic training from Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.
She has worked for the St George Public and Private Cardiothoracic for many years as the Nurse manager, Nurse Educator and After Hours manager. Jenine also has 10 years of experience working in Aboriginal Health and Chronic Disease in the Northern Territory.
Jenine loves sailing, camping, bike riding and bushwalking and is married with two young adult daughters and a Kelpie. Jenine works on a casual basis at this stage in between her travels.
Zohie Nassif - Practice Nurse
Zohie is a dedicated Registered Nurse and Registered Midwife. She completed her Bachelor of Nursing at the University of Western Sydney in 2011 and earned a Graduate Diploma in Midwifery from the University of Technology Sydney in 2014.
Zohie is passionate about providing comprehensive antenatal care and has a strong interest in wound management and health education. Her nursing specialties include stroke care, plastics, ear, nose and throat (ENT), ophthalmology, and paediatrics.
Ashleigh Langham - Practice Nurse
Ashleigh graduated from the University of Notre ame, Sydney with a Bachelor of Nursing. She has also completed a Graduate Certificate in Critical Care Nursing. Ashleigh has 5 years' experience as a critical care nurse working at the Emergency department of St George Hospital where she continues to work.
She specialises in acute and basic wound care, men's,women's and babies health, immunisations, aged care and all areas of general nursing. Ashleigh Is a passionate nurse who takes great care and pride in all patients care pathways.
Ashleigh lives locally with her husband and little girl. She loves to be outdoors going on walks, runs, boat rides and relaxing with some yoga. Ash is on maternity leave at the moment and hopes to return later in 2025.
Our Admin Team
Therese - Practice Manager/ Pharmacist
Therese holds the unique dual role of Practice Manager and Consultant Practice Pharmacist. She came on board in 2019 and now manages the day to day running of South Hurstville Practice from behind the scenes while also conducting Home Medicines Review both in-house and in the practice.
Therese holds a Bachelor degree in Pharmacy from the University of Sydney along with fifteen years of experience working in and managing community pharmacies around the Sydney metro area. She otherwise loves reading, riding, travel and winding down to a session of yoga.
Since joining the practice Therese achieved AACP accreditation to conduct medication reviews. So if you have any medication related queries, come in and have a chat or organise a call back.
OUR PRACTICE STAFF
Practice Manager/ Practice Pharmacist :
Therese Karas
Senior Receptionist:
Linda Rodrigues, Pamela Airey
Receptionist:
Erin Ni, Martina Malek, Mafey Matthew
