Our Doctors
Dr Effat FARAG – (General Surgeon)
Professional statement
Dr Effat Farag is a General Practitioner with 30+ years experience. His special interest is minor surgical procedures including: Circumcisions of children & adults, Vasectomies, Pilonidal Sinuses & Abscess, Removal of Skin Cancers and subcutaneous lumps like cysts and Lipomas
Special Interests
- Surgical procedures
- Child & Adult Circumcision
Mr Paul SITZLER – (Colorectal Surgeon)
Major Surgery: Paul performs most major and minor colorectal surgery with the exception of gracilis neo-sphincter surgery at present. Major colon and rectal resections performed for cancer, inflammatory bowel, diverticulitis and other conditions are often performed in hospitals with intensive care unit back-up such as the Epworth, and Box Hill Hospitals. He also performs general abdominal surgical operations such as hernia surgery, cholecystectomy, and other gastro-intestinal surgeries.
Special Interests
- Consultation and sigmoidoscopy
- Treatment of Haemorrhoids
- Minor Operations
- Endoscopy
- Anorectal investigation unit
- Major Surgery
Dr Anil ASTHANA – (Gastroenterologist / Hepatologist)
Dr Anil Asthana is an accredited specialist Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist and Endoscopist who specializes in all fields of gastroenterology and liver disease. He is fully accredited in diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal procedures.
Originally from the UK, he attended the prestigious medical school at Kings College London and then completed his Membership of the Royal College of Surgeons of England (MRCS) at Guy’s Hospital and Queen’s Hospital in London. He trained as a general physician and as a Gastroenterology Specialist at The Alfred and Box Hill Hospitals, Melbourne.
Dr Brindi RASARATNAM – (Gastroenterologist / Endoscopist)
Dr Brindi Rasaratnam is a fully accredited Gastroenterologist and Endoscopist. Having completed his Medical degree with Honours at Monash University, Melbourne, he proceeded to Internship and Residency at The Alfred Hospital, Commercial Road Prahran. He then subsequently completed his Physicians training exam and receiving FRACP recognition. Subsequent Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Endoscopy training continued at The Alfred Hospital where he continues to work as a senior visiting consultant, to date.
Dr. Mark ATTALLA – (Cosmetic Surgeon)
Dr. Mark Attalla is a dedicated Cosmetic Surgeon with years of experience in cosmetic surgery. He is continuing interest in cutting edge technologies. Dr Attalla has completed his MBBSa from Alexandria University of Egypt in 1987 then completed his general surgery training in a teaching hospital in Egypt. After completing his Master Degree in General Surgery, he then made the decision to move to Australia where he had his intensive training in various types of cosmetic surgery procedures guided by best cosmetic surgeons from Australia and overseas.
Special Interests
- Stem Cells (Fat Transplant)
- Slim Lipo / Liposuction
- Blepharoplasty
- Abdominoplasty
- Mini – Abdominoplasty
- Breast Augmentation
- Gynaecomastia
- Thread Lift
- Cosmetic Mole Removal
Dr Edward TSOI – Gastroenterologist/Hepatologist)
Having completed his medical degree from Monash University in 2006, Dr Edward Tsoi undertook his postgraduate specialty training in Gastroenterology and General Medicine at Monash Health, Austin Health and Northern Health in Victoria. He then completed his Master of Public Health from University of Newcastle in 2015 and was awarded a Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians later that year. Dr Tsoi is now working at Northern Health while continuing his research though his Doctor of Philosophy (PhD.) and subspecialty training in advanced endoscopy at the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital. He has a special interest in Barrett’s oesophagus, endoscopic ultrasound, endoscopic mucosal resections,evaluation of small bowel luminal disease through double balloon enteroscopy and capsule endoscopy.
Dr Tsoi manages problems in all areas of gastroenterology including liver disease, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and bowel cancer screening. He is involved in ongoing teaching of medical students and has published widely in international journals and presented at numerous national and international meetings. Dr Tsoi bulk bills for his clinic consults. He also speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese and is available for consultation and endoscopies at Chelsea Heights Day Surgery & Endoscopy Centre.
Dr Ashley Granot
MBBS, FFMACCS, FACP, FACNEM, ABAARM, MA5M
Cosmetic Surgeon)
Dr Ashley has received extensive training in the United States, Europe, South America and Asia in Cosmetic Surgery techniques since the 1980’s and is himself a renowned trainer of Cosmetic Surgery techniques and procedures for other surgeons.
He has pioneered advancements in Liposuction techniques and Scarless Breast Lifts and other Scarless Lift procedures.
Dr Ashley has been performing cosmetic surgery for over 35 years and continues to be recognised as one of the leading surgeons for Liposuction in Melbourne Australia and Vein treatments in Australia and performs a wide variety of Surgical and Non-Surgical procedures.
Dr. Ashley’s training
• liposuction/body sculpting
• scarless breast lift
• breast reduction
• breast surgery
• eye area surgery
• face lifts
• facial lines & wrinkles
• male breast surgery
• laser cosmetic surgery
• cosmetic ear surgery
• skin conditions
• mole removal
• vaginal enhancement
• vaginal surgery
• non surgical double chin reduction
• fat transfer for your face
DR QURAT-UL-AIN (ANNY) RIZVI – Gastroenterologist
M.B.B.S., BMedSci, FRACP
Dr Anny Rizvi is part of the team at the Melbourne Digestive Centre. Dr Rizvi underwent training in Gastroenterology and hepatology at the Lyell McEwin hospital, Royal Adelaide hospital and The Queen Elizabeth hospital, Adelaide. She did a dedicated year of inflammatory bowel disease fellowship at the Eastern Health Melbourne. She has been actively involved in the teaching, research and presented in numerous national meetings.
Other than Inflammatory bowel disease, her other special interests within gastroenterology include bowel cancer screening, Gastroesophageal reflux disease, Functional gut disease and food intolerances, resistant h pylori infections and liver abnormalities.
Dr Rizvi is fluent in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Hindi.
Dr Soleiman Kashkooli – Gastroenterology, General Medicine, Hepatology
MD, FRACP
Dr Kashkooli received his internal medicine training at Eastern Health in Melbourne, and completed his gastroenterology and hepatology training at Concord Hospital in Sydney. Then he undertook a fellowship in inflammatory bowel disease in an excellent IBD centre in Toronto, Canada where he was also involved with the management of colorectal anastomotic strictures using endoscopic Balloon Dilation.
His specific interests in Gastroenterology are Inflammatory Bowel disease, Colon cancer screening, diagnostic and therapeutic Gastroscopy and Colonoscopy. Dr Kashkooli manages diffrent aspects of Gastroenterology & Hepatology including oesophageal disease, GORD, Stomach ulcer, abnormal liver tests, NAFLD, Hepatitis B and C, GORD, Coeliac disease, IBS, and Functional Gastrointestinal disorders.
Dr Kashkooli would be pleased to discuss the clinical cases with the referring medical practitioner. He is happy to see patients across the broad spectrum of gastroenterological disorders and is able to see urgent referrals, either for consult or directly for gastroscopy/colonoscopy.
Dr Kashkooli speaks Farsi (Persian) and Turkish.
Dr John Ding – Gastroenterologist
John Ding is a Melbourne based gastroenterologist. Having completed his post-graduate research at one of the world’s leading centres in IBD care, St Mark’s Hospital, London, he now divides his time between private practice and a senior medical specialist appointment at St Vincent’s Hospital where he is a part of the gastroenterology and inflammatory bowel disease units.
Currently the holder of a prestigious international grant awarded by the European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation (ECCO), John’s extensive work in the field of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) has led to his appointment onto the ECCO committee as the first non-European member, and is regularly invited to speak at international and national conferences. He is also the founding member of the Young Australian Crohn’s and Colitis Network. His PhD research investigating the personalization of medical therapy for patients with IBD using microbiome and metabolic profiling has led to numerous publications and been cited internationally.
John has an interest in luminal gastroenterology (IBD and irritable bowel syndrome) and engages and leads on research projects in these areas through International consortium (GETAID), St Vincent’s Hospital and the University of Melbourne. He additionally holds the position of head of the IBD Clinical trials Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital and lead for the National Bowel Cancer Program. His other interests include bowel cancer screening, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome and gastro-oesophageal reflux disease among others.
John offers endoscopy services at St Vincent’s Private Hospital and Jolimont Endoscopy, where open access endoscopy is also available as well as weekly endoscopy lists at St Vincent’s Public Hospital and Werribee Mercy Hospital. John works from a patient-centered approach and enjoys working collaboratively with GPs and other health professionals to ensure cohesive treatment. He can also converse in Mandarin.
Dr Puneet Mahindra – Gastroenterologist / Hepatologist
Special Interests
Barret’s Oesophagus, Irritable Bowel syndrome (IBS), bowel cancer prevention and screening, Crohns and ulcerative colitis, liver disease including Viral Hepatitis, Video Capsule Endoscopy (PillCam)
Skills
• Endoscopy – Gastroscopies, Colonoscopies in routine and emergency setting. These include PEG insertions, oesophageal stenting, dilatations, complex polypectomies, OTSC and variceal banding.
• Management of all acute gastroenterological emergencies through ED and ward referrals
• Weekly Liver, IBD and General Gastroenterology clinics.
• Part of H& M team in St Vincent’s Hospital for management of acute bleeders
• ERCP,EUS and oesophageal manometry
Training
Dr Puneet Mahindra did his initial training at University Hospital Aintree (Liverpool, UK) and University Hospital Coventry (UK). He then finished his fellowship in Gastroenterology at BoxHill Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital (FRACP).
He continues his medical research on oesophageal disorders (Barretts, Reflux) and interventional endoscopy at St Vincent’s Hospital and University of Melbourne.
Personal Profile
I am ambitious, diligent and reliable with good communication skills. I have always shared a good camaraderie with the other staff and the society I live. I am confident whilst making decisions. I am motivated, ever ready to learn anything new and adapt well to changes. I am always at the forefront to achieve my aims.
Dr Manjeet Sandhu – Gastroenterologist
Dr Manjeet Sandhu graduated from Melbourne University with honours in 2009 . She did her specialist training at St Vincent’s Hospital and Monash Health. Manjeet obtained her FRACP in 2016. She then undertook a PhD in Inflammatory Bowel Disease, evaluating new therapeutic targets.
Manjeet is patient focussed and committed to delivering high quality care. She currently has a public appointment at Monash Medical Centre and Casey Hospital.
Her interest includes inflammatory bowel disease, colorectal cancer screening and prevention, irritable bowel syndrome, coeliac disease and liver diseases
Mr Gaurang Shah – COLORECTAL & GENERAL SURGEON, MBBS, MS (General Surgery), FRACS
Mr Gaurang Shah offers a variety of minimally invasive and minor day surgeries at Chelsea Heights Day Surgery Centre. He is certified by GESA to perform diagnostic and therapeutic gastroscopy and colonoscopy.
Gaurang graduated from the prestigious M.S.University of Vadodara, India in 2000 and the completed his General Surgical training in 2006. He was awarded Gold Medal for ranking first in General Surgery in the university.
Upon moving to Melbourne, Australia for further training he worked at the Austin Health, Heidelberg for three years and Ballarat Health for two years. He then completed his FRACS in General Surgery from Alfred Health, Melbourne.
After completion of FRACS, Gaurang worked at Townsville University Hospital in North Queensland for further training. He enjoys teaching medical interns and registrars via an honorary appointment at the University of Melbourne, Shepparton.
Gaurang speaks English, Gujarati and Hindi
Surgeries performed at Chelsea Heights Day Surgery include:
• Gastroscopy & colonoscopy procedures
• Anorectal conditions for hemorrhoids, fissure, fistula and prolapse
• Skin and subcutaneous lesions excision, Carpal Tunnel Release and Ingrowing toenails
• Vasectomy and Hydrocele surgery
