Practitioners
General Physicians
Our approach is to deliver the best service every single time you visit us at Shire Doctors and Dentists. We have brought together a highly experienced and very passionate team who share the same vision towards healthcare and patient wellbeing.
Physicians
Dr Maz Gorjipour
Managing Director
After graduating from UTMS in 2001, I have been practicing medicine for almost twenty years. I am currently practicing as an emergency medicine specialist in Sutherland and Liverpool hospitals. I have a special interest in geriatric medicine, cardiology, trauma, and point-of-care ultrasound. Practicing as a GP (overseas) and an emergency medicine specialist in Australia provided me with a great opportunity to understand the value of high-quality primary care services. My focus at Shire Doctors and Dentists is to offer a wide variety of services to address a broad range of medical and health-related issues, helping avoid unnecessary hospital admission where appropriate.
Dr John Rizzuto
Principal Medical Practitioner
I graduated from the University of Sydney in 1975, then followed three years of hospital residency at Concord Repatriation General, Prince of Wales, Bankstown, Westmead and Sutherland Hospitals.
I managed my well respected and accredited solo family medical practice in South Hurstville for over 40 years. My medical interests include general medicine, paediatrics, nutritional medicine, and preventative health.
My wife and I raised and educated our now adult children in the Sutherland Shire and we both still enjoy the outdoor activities on offer here – the beach and the bush, swimming, surfing and walking.
Dr Reinier De Villiers
General Practitioner
I graduated from the University of Pretoria, South Africa in 1987. I moved to Australia in 2008 and attained full Australian specialist family physician registration in 2012. I practised as a GP proceduralist until 2015 in Narrogin, WA and have extensive experience in obstetrics, anaesthetics, and emergency medicine. I moved to the Shire in 2016 and have been practising in Southeast Sydney as a GP since then.
I enjoy all aspects of general practice and my major interests are ear, nose and throat, orthopaedics (sports medicine), and obstetrics (ante-natal, post-natal and shared care, and Implanon and Mirena insertion and removal).
When I am not attending to my patients, I am spending time with my wife and children. I have a passion for music, wine, and travel.
Dr Lana Celi
General Practitioner
Prior to completing my medical degree in 2013, I completed a Bachelor of Health Science at the University of Wollongong. I have a certificate in Women’s Health provided by The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists.
I have a special interest in family medicine and women’s health.
I grew up in the local area and continue to live locally. I have three children and in my spare time I like to water-ski and swim.
Dr Dien Nguyen
General Practitioner
I graduated from the University of Sydney, and then continued my training at Westmead Hospital and the Children’s Hospital at Westmead during my residency. Following completing my residency program, I joined the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). I completed the specialist GP training program and received the fellowship of RACGP in 1998.
I have special interests in paediatrics, preventative medicine, and the management of chronic illnesses. With my comprehensive experience in practicing as family physician, I enjoy assisting my patients in management of all their general health and medical issues.
Dr Yana Martynova
General Practitioner
I graduated as a medical doctor in 1995 in Russia and specialised in respiratory medicine and cardiology before moving to Australia in 2005.
With extensive experience working in Sydney-based and rural hospitals, emergency departments, and General Practices, I am particularly interested in internal medicine, elderly care, paediatrics, women’s health, and family planning. I believe that patient education, preventive care, and a holistic approach to complex conditions are the key to successful treatment.
Outside of work I enjoy experimenting around the kitchen with various international cuisines, confectionary, chocolate craft and baking. I also enjoy tailoring and am keen to discover and design new garment patterns.
Dr Sherif Francis
Skin Cancer Physician
With close to 30 years of experience in Skin Cancer Treatment and General Practice, I specialise in Skin cancer diagnosis & treatment and Minor procedures.
Throughout my career, I have developed a strong focus on delivering comprehensive skin cancer care, offering both surgical and non-surgical treatments tailored to patients’ needs. In additional to my clinical practice, I have been actively involved in medical education. I served as a Clinical Supervisor for GP registrars and an examiner with the RACGP. I was also a General Practice Clinical Supervisor for the University of New South Wales medicine program, contributing to the training of Year 5 and 6 medical students.
Before transitioning to a more patient-centred role, I was a doctor and medical director at my own group practices. In 2022, I decided to focus entirely on patient care and moved to the Shire to achieve this goal.
Outside of work, I enjoy nature, spending time at the beach, caring for my two dogs, and playing jazz piano.
Dr Christene Mikhail
Skin Cancer Physician
I completed a Bachelor of Pharmacy before pursuing my Medical Degree at the University of Newcastle, graduating with distinction. Afterward, I undertook hospital training at St George and Sutherland Hospitals before completing post-graduate training in general practice through the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
In 2021, I began specialising in skin cancer medicine and surgery, and in 2024, I completed my Master of Medicine in Skin Cancer from the University of Queensland. I also have a strong interest in medical research and have published in the British Medical Journal on a hospital patient safety project.
Qualifications and Certificates:
- Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) – University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Medicine (BMed, Distinction) – University of Queensland
- Master of Medicine (MMed, Skin Cancer) – University of Queensland
- Professional Certificate in Skin Cancer Medicine – Healthcert/University of Queensland
- Professional Certificate in Dermatoscopy – Healthcert/University of Queensland
- Professional Certificate in Dermatology – Healthcert/University of Queensland
- Fellowship (FRACGP) – Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Dr Dalia Henss
General Practitioner
I graduated from the University of Western Sydney in 2015 and completed my internship and residency years at St George and Sutherland hospitals, during which time I worked across different specialities including aged care, oncology, and emergency medicine.
I did 6 months of clinical paediatrics at St George Hospital during which time I completed my diploma in child health through Sydney Children’s Hospital.
I have a great interest in skin cancer management including performing skin checks, skin biopsies, and minor excisions for which reason I completed my professional certificate of skin cancer.
My other medical interests include paediatrics, women’s health and antenatal care, mental health, and preventative medicine.
I obtained my fellowship from the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2022.
Dr Nicole Hall
General Practitioner
I graduated from the University of New South Wales in 2010 and after time in emergency medicine, have worked as a GP in Southwest Sydney since obtaining fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2015. I am interested in all areas of general practice and really enjoy helping patients achieve their health goals.
Women’s health is my passion, including pregnancy care, contraception (Implanon insertion/removal and Mirena removal), fertility and menopause management. I obtained the Certificate of Women’s Health from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in 2024 and continue to work in high-risk antenatal care in a hospital setting.
As a Mum of 2 children, I enjoy all aspects of paediatric care and have previously worked in paediatric emergency care. Weight management and lifestyle medicine are my other areas of interest, in addition to empowering patients to manage chronic disease.
After growing up in the Shire and continuing to live locally, I enjoy bushwalking, swimming, good coffee and the lifestyle that comes from living in this beautiful area with my husband, children, and our dog.
Dr Naim Samaan
General Physician
I graduated from the University of Alexandria, Egypt in 1986 with MBBS and have been practicing in Australia since 2013. I am a Fellow of the Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) and I have also completed a Diploma in Child Health.
My areas of interest include skin cancer checks and management, sexual and reproductive health, children’s health and sports medicine.
Alister Hodge
Nurse Practitioner
I’m a Nurse Practitioner with two decades of experience in both the UK and Australian health systems and am a member of the Australian College of Nurse Practitioners. I’ve worked as a Nurse Practitioner at the Sutherland Hospital emergency department for over ten years, where I managed a diverse range of urgent medical issues, such as:
- Fractures, dislocations, and soft tissue injuries
- Wounds, lacerations, and foreign body removal
- Ear, nose, throat, and chest infections
- Stomach and abdominal pain
- Diarrhea and vomiting
- Acute eye problems
- Back or flank pain
- Urinary tract and genital infections
- Skin infections
I continue to see similar presentations at Shire Doctors and Dentists. I have provided a new injury clinic to manage fractures, wounds, and soft tissue injuries – helping our patients to avoid long hours in the emergency department or urgent care centre.
