p: 07 4955 0555 f: 07 4955 0993
Dr Nicole Higgins
Practice Principal
An accidental tourist who never left.
I have been a GP in Mackay since 2003 when I came to do a 6-week stint as a locum. My husband Dean started playing AFL at North Mackay Saints and we stayed and stayed, and we are still here.
Mackay is a wonderful place to bring up our family.
I studied Medicine at Monash Uni, after growing up in country Victoria where my family still live.
I love being a GP. I would like to think of myself as an ol' fashioned GP who practices traditional 'cradle to the grave' medicine.
As well as being the Practice Principal of Health on Central, I am the President of RACGP. I have held representative roles as national Chair of GPSA, and RACGP Qld,
My busiest job is being a mum and a taxi driver for 3 busy kids.
Note: Nicole is not taking new patients
Dr Mark Raines
"Huh? Oh, you mean Mark (I do prefer that rather than Dr Raines). Well for starters I am a West Australian not a Queenslander, sorry. That just where my folks got off the boat sea sick from their "luxury" migration cruise from the UK.
I am married with two young children and of course they are beautiful. One born in Nhulunbuy and the other on Kangaroo Island at the opposite side of Australia. Now don't let that worry you about my stability because my wife and I have a 10-year plan to stay in Mackay whilst the kids get educated.
What do I do? (well apart from being a doctor). If you check out my Facebook site, you may see that I enjoy wandering around taking photos. There are also some videos of close calls on my pushbike as I ride to work and home.
I go bush walking, diving and apart from an incident on Dunk Island, have never got lost. I also enjoy cooking - unfortunately my creative spirit has been dampened by having two kids who profess bland vegetarianism. I do make a very tasty wallaby and blackcurrant stew.
I enjoy being a GP, particularly the variety of challenges that may walk through the door. I got my medical degree from Flinders University in 2000. I slaved through my internship and junior doctor years at Royal Darwin Hospital. Earlier in my life I had worked there as a pharmacist. I have previously worked in Emergency Medicine, delivered babies and dabbled in surgery. Once I even had to drill a hole in someone's skull.
In some of my spare time I do a blog with a medical slant at https://rain0021.wordpress.com/
Dr Rebecca Perks
Rebecca attended her primary and secondary schooling in Andergrove, so she knows our local community well.
Rebecca graduated from James Cook University Medical School in 2005 as part of the inaugural graduating class. Rebecca achieved her specialist General Practice fellowship in 2011. Since then, she has also obtained her Diploma in Child Health through Westmead Children’s Hospital in 2016.
Her interests in General Practice are broad and include Women’s and Children’s health, chronic disease management, skin cancer management and preventative medicine. She also enjoys surgical assisting at the Mackay Mater Hospital.
On weekends she enjoys exploring our beautiful region with her family and three children.
Dr Helen Hawkins
Helen is a long loved local GP in Mackay of over 30 years' experience.
Helen joined Health on Central in September 2018.
With a wealth of experience and knowledge, Helen is a welcome addition.
Helen has an interest in complex chronic health, Womens Health and skin work.
Helen is a keen bushwalker and in her spare time she loves to sail with her family and friends.
Helen is not taking new patients
Dr Kate Bialy
I moved to Mackay in 2014 to begin my internship at Mackay Base Hospital and I've been here ever since. I mostly grew up in Brisbane but I much prefer the regional lifestyle and the weather in North Queensland and I can't imagine being anywhere else after studying at JCU Townsville and Darwin. I met and married my wonderful husband in Mackay and we've since bought a patch of dirt and (trees!) and we have been slowly transforming it into our home.
I have always loved people and empowering patients to take ownership of their own health. I find it such a privilege to journey with patients through various life stages and particularly enjoy women's health, paediatrics, skin cancer management, weight management and chronic disease management. I also enjoy educating the next generation of doctors and am enrolled to undertake further study in this area.
In my spare time I love getting outdoors; on the bike, climbing mountains, on a stand-up paddleboard, in the garden and Mackay provides ample opportunities! I also have a bit to do with my local church, they are like family and help Mackay feel like home
Areas of interest:
Skin cancer management
Weight management
Women's health
Chronic Illness
Paediatrics
Dr Kristiana Pederick
I too am a story of an accidental tourist who never left. I initially was sent to Mackay in Medical School in 2015, but I fell for Mackay's charm and built my life here. I graduated from James Cook University in 2016 and spent my first two post graduate years working in many fields at the Mackay Base Hospital, including obstetrics & gynaecology, paediatrics and general medicine & surgery, finally specializing as a General Practitioner in 2021 with the RACGP.
I have a particular interest in Women's Health (Obs & Gynae) and Children's Health, alongside preventative medicine, skin cancer medicine, lifestyle medicine, and chronic disease care. I also teach Medical Students weekly at James Cook University and thoroughly enjoy my teaching role. My interests outside of medicine vary just as much as my interests within Medicine, and I keep busy with one hobby after another.
Dr Alex Tran
Dr. Tran completed hospital training with 2 years at the Caboolture Hospital and 1 year at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane. He enjoys participating in sports including soccer and snowboarding. Dr Tran enjoys all aspects of medicine.
Dr Kate Lindegger
I’m a newbie to Mackay but have lived and worked in a few different places across the world. I’m South African, and this is where I went to Medical School and practiced my first 5 years as a doctor. Medicine in South Africa was fast paced and apart from my internship (where I worked in almost every field of medicine possible), the rest of my time in South Africa I mostly worked in Emergency Medicine. This was exciting and dynamic, and practicing medicine in Africa requires a cool head and practical thinking. In 2017 I decided to go on an adventure and became a cruise ship doctor, which I did for 2 years on various ships around the world, the most iconic being the Queen Mary 2 and Queen Elisabeth. QE was where I met my now partner, a lovely Irishman who works as Helicopter Pilot. We decided to move to the UK together as it was somewhere we could both find work, and I had always enjoyed visiting London. We then spent 6 years living in the UK (London for 1 year and Kent for 5 years) and during this time I specialised in General Practice (after the realisation that my passion in medicine was variety and not just one niche). I also worked part time in a Hospice for a year doing palliative care which was immensely rewarding and a deep privilege.
My partner and I decided to move to Australia in 2025 to find more sun and experience a new adventure. I absolutely love the outdoors and movement, and felt Australia could offer more of an active, outdoorsy life than the UK. When I’m not working, you’ll probably find me doing CrossFit, hiking, swimming, surfing or just generally outdoors. I truly hope to call Mackay my forever home. As I mentioned, I don’t have a ‘special interest’ in GP per se, I enjoy seeing all ages and presentations. I like to collaborate with my patients and will never be annoyed if patients Google their medical ailments - this is a completely rational thing to do!
Dr Avinash Krishnamurthy
Dr Sarah Zatta
Dr Htet Naing
Dr Shahira Roya
Registrar
I am a doctor from the Netherlands with a passion for providing high-quality healthcare. My medical journey began in the Netherlands, where I gained valuable insights. This experience was further enriched by my work in Mackay over the past two years.
With a patient-centered approach, focusing on the whole person that considers the physical, emotional, and social aspects of health. I stay committed to continuous professional development to provide the best possible care.
I am dedicated to building a strong relationship with my patients, ensuring they feel heard and supported throughout their healthcare journey.
Outside of my professional life, I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending quality time with my family
Dr Simone Mackrill
Nursing Team
Tess RN
Britney RN
Britney RN
Britney RN
Britney RN
Britney RN
Nikita RN
Nikita RN
Nikita RN
Kellie RN
Nikita RN
Nikita RN
Administration Team
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Megan Team Leader
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Practice Support
Terry
our friendly Sullivan Nicolaides Phlebotomist