Choosing a family doctor is never an easy decision.

We are a service company to the health providers at our practice. The doctors are all specialist GPs (Fellows of the Australian College of GPs or Fellows of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine), or training to achieve these qualifications (Registrars). Some of the doctors offer a special interest or have skills in a different area of Primary Care. Most of the doctors also provide services outside the practice to the general public.

They have antenatal and Women’s Health, Palliative care, Defence Veterans health, Mental Health, Skin Medicine, Antenatal care, Skin allergy Patch testing , and more.

Patients might have one primary doctor, and the expertise of the other doctors added in when needed. We work together, using the strengths of each doctor to benefit the patients.

Dr Peta Cornwall

MBBS, FRACGP, FACRRM

Peta has been at South Side Medical since its opening in 2007. She has a drive and enthusiasm for all aspects of family medicine.

She is committed to educating medical students from James Cook University and will often have them assisting her during consultations.

She also mentors GP Registrars in rural and remote locations and is an examiner for JCU, RACGP, ACCRM and RVTS. Peta is also a GP Supervisor for James Cook University.

Dr Peter Gaden

BSc, MBBS, FRACGP, DCH

Peter joined us in July 2015 after serving in the Royal Australian Navy. As a former serving member he has a passion for caring for those who have served and is familiar with navigating the Department of Veterans Affairs.

He is accredited to perform recreational and commercial dive medicals and is a member of SPUMS.

Peter loves all aspects of family medicine and has a particular interest in paediatrics, skin cancer detection / management and in providing Palliative and Supportive care to patients with a life limiting illness.

Peter is also a supervisor for James Cook University Medical students and GP Registrars.

Dr Stephen Lambert

MBBCh,BSc, DCH,FRACGP

Stephen is a GP working part time in medical education in addition to clinical practice. His passion is about maintaining health and preventing disease. He has an interest in lifestyle management and its effect on mental health, weight management and child development.

Stephen has a special interest in Low Carb, Healthy Fat and Ketogenic eating. Stephen is available for appointments on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday afternoons.

Stephen has been appointed the position of Director of Medical Training at Mackay Health Service. Stephen is also an accredited supervisor for GP Registrars through James Cook University and Interns under the John Flynn Prevocational Doctor Program.

Dr Neil Kroeger

MBBS, FRACGP

Neil has a gentle nature and is excellent with all walks of life. He is particularly interested in lifestyle medicine.

He is a dedicated teacher of medical students and interns.

Neil is available for appointments 4 days a week.

Dr Sarah Delahaye

MBBS

Dr Sarah Delahaye is a GP Registrar at South Side Medical. He has special interests in all areas of general medicine.

Sarah has previously trained as a Pharmacist before commencing Medicine.

Dr Kate Jackson

MBBS, CWH, FRACGP

Kate is a Mackay local who joined the practice in 2019.

She enjoys all aspects of family medicine and loves getting to know each of her patients. She believes in following patients throughout the life stages and particularly enjoys getting to care for families as a whole.

Kate is experienced in Women’s Health, having completed a Certificate of Women’s Health (CWH). She has a special interest in pre-natal, antenatal and postnatal care, extending through to Children’s Health.

Dr Ciara Ross

MBBS, Dip CH, FRACGP, NFPMC

CURRENTLY ON MATERNITY LEAVE

Ciara is a born and bred Mackay local. She has been a GP for 7 years servicing the Mackay region. Ciara has a special interest in child health and has completed a Diploma through Sydney University / Westmead Children’s Hospital. She is a Natural Family Planning Medical consultant and was trained through Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska. Ciara offers NAPRO (Natural Procreative) Technology which is an alternative to using contraceptive medications and artificial reproductive technologies in the treatment of women’s health issues and infertility.

She is also a GP Academic for James Cook University (since 2014) and helps deliver teaching for the year 5 general practice program. Ciara is the Lead Medical Educator in Mackay for James Cook University GP Training who delivers GP Registrar training throughout Queensland.

Dr Elissa Hatherly

MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Elissa Hatherly has worked in Mackay since 2002 (with Southside Medical Centre since 2010), primarily in General Practice with a focus on Women’s Health.

Elissa’s particular interest is in providing:

– Contraception (including intrauterine devices, such as Mirena and copper coils)

– Implanon insertion and removal

– Managing concerns with menstrual periods

– Menopausal symptom management

– Breast health

– Antenatal and postnatal care

– STI screening

– Medical termination of pregnancy

Elissa was a founding doctor of the Family Planning clinic in Mackay, enjoying work there for 18 years. She was also a visiting medical officer with the BreastScreen service for 12 years. She continues to work closely with the multidisciplinary teams in community health and the Mackay Base Hospital and the ICON Cancer Centre. She provides training for doctors across the state in her field of expertise, improving the clinical skills of interested doctors.

Elissa is also Head of James Cook University’s Mackay Clinical School, overseeing the delivery of Medicine and Pharmacy locally. She is active in the community, speaking regularly for local organisations and supporting healthcare and wellness in the region.

Dr Lih Ling Low

MBBS, FRACGP

Dr Lih Ling Low graduated from Medical School in Malaysia in 2009.

She has gained clinical acumen in Internal Medicine, Emergency medicine, Surgery, Mental Health, Obstetrics & Gynaecology as well as Paediatrics.

She has a keen interest in Adult as well as Child & Adolescent Mental Health. Like most primary care physician, she is also experienced in the treatment and management of various chronic medical conditions.

Dr Low is also qualified in IUD insertion and management and all aspects of family planning.

Dr Low has recently commenced Patch Testing for Allergic contact dermatitis. Please contact the reception for more information on this.

Dr David Ewing

BSc, MD

Dave is a GP registrar that joined the practice in February 2023. He has a passion for all things general practice, with a special interest in mental health and lifestyle medicine.

Dave grew up in Canada and moved to Mackay in 2020. Outside of work, he likes spending time with his wife, twin boys and their new baby, following North American sports, golfing, and leathercrafting.

Dr Emily O’Dea

BMSc(Hons) md

Dr Emily O’Dea has joined the practice as a GP Registrar after completing a rotation with us in her Intern year. Emily loves the concept of caring for patients from cradle to grave and across generations. She thrives on the continuity of care that General Practice offers her. Particular interests include Mental Health, Sexual Health and all manners of medicine.

In her downtime she loves spending quality time with her husband and young son.

Kath O’Brien

Practice Manager – BHlth (Nsg)

Kath is a Registered Nurse with a vision of delivering high quality, effective healthcare. She is the sole owner and Practice Manager of South Side Medical.

Kath comes from a firm customer service background and is passionate about ensuring patients have the best experience possible when visiting the practice.

Kath is actively involved in other areas of health which enhances her management of the practice. She works closely with the North Queensland Primary Health Network and Mackay Base Hospital in developing improvements to the patient journey from general practice through to the public health system and home again.

Kath was the regional winner for the Australian Institute of Management Owner/Manager Award in 2009.

Admin

Renae, Jess, Julie, and Megan are our delightful “Directors of First Impressions”.

They are the friendly voices on the end of the phone and love being able to assist with all of your needs.

They aim to assist as many people as possible and come up with solutions to any problems. They are the true frontline of our general practice.

Nurses

Michelle, Richard and Sheree are the very experienced Nursing team at the practice. Michelle has over 40 years of experience in nursing in the community, hospital and general practice. She is an expert on childhood immunisations and chronic disease management.

Richard has been with us since graduating from Central Queensland University. He is actively involved in assisting other general practice nurses within Mackay. Richard is involved in chronic disease management and all aspects of general practice nursing. Richard is currently studying to become a Nurse Practitioner.

Sheree is an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse who is currently studying to become a Registered Nurse.

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Keeping up with regular health checks at a professional GP clinic is one of the best ways to safeguard you and your family’s health.