Praveen Thankachen
Nurse Practitioner
Praveen Thankachen is a highly skilled Nurse Practitioner with extensive experience in primary care, urgent care, and telehealth services. Known for his patientcentered approach, Praveen specializes in managing chronic and acute conditions, minor mental health issues, and preventative healthcare. His expertise extends to wound management, suturing, and collaborative care in multidisciplinary settings.
Praveen is passionate about advancing telehealth practices, mentoring junior healthcare providers, and contributing to research and quality improvement initiatives.
Dr. Ramu is the Founder and Clinical Director of Abby Health, bringing more than 35 years of experience as a Specialist GP. He graduated with his MBBS from the University of Queensland in 1989 and completed specialist GP training in Broken Hill under Dr. Donald Howarth and Dr. Peter Belbin, achieving his FRACGP in 1996 and FACRRM in 1998.
In continuous practice in Broken Hill since 1991, Dr. Ramu has been serving the community as a GP since 1992, making him the longest-serving GP in Broken Hill. He further broadened his expertise by completing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of New England in 2001, adding legal insight to his medical practice.
Dr. You Sheng Chong is an accomplished General Practitioner specializing in family medicine, emergency care, and chronic disease management. With comprehensive experience across diverse medical settings, including emergency departments and general practice clinics, Dr. Chong is dedicated to providing holistic, patientcentered care. His multilingual abilities and dedication to mentoring medical students further enrich his practice.
Vara Perikala is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner with over three decades of expertise in critical care, advanced general practice, and leadership roles. Her clinical proficiency spans cardiothoracic ICUs, emergency medicine, and dermatology. Known for her dedication to patientcentered care, Vara excels in managing complex cases and fostering multidisciplinary collaboration.
Vanessa Smith is an accomplished Nurse Practitioner with over three decades of experience in emergency medicine and advanced practice. She has worked in both clinical and telehealth settings, providing comprehensive and patientcentered care. Vanessa is highly skilled in diagnostics, minor procedures, and managing acute conditions. Her extensive teaching background demonstrates her commitment to advancing the nursing profession and improving patient outcomes.
Dr. Vaishali Bhalerao is a dualtrained General Practitioner and ObstetricianGynecologist with over three decades of experience in comprehensive healthcare. Specializing in women’s health, she has provided highquality care in urban, rural, and remote settings in Australia and internationally. Dr. Bhalerao excels in advanced gynecological surgeries, family planning, and chronic disease management, with a focus on holistic, patientcentered care.
Thomas Vezhakkad Sebastian is a highly experienced Nurse Practitioner specialising in mental health and emergency care. With over 13 years of diverse nursing experience, including roles in aged care, medical ICUs, and psychiatric services, Thomas excels in conducting comprehensive mental health assessments and providing urgent care through telehealth services. He is passionate about fostering clinical leadership, educating healthcare teams, and advancing evidencebased mental health practices.