Comprehensive Neurosurgical Expertise
A collective of Neurosurgeons
We are a collective of qualified Neurosurgeons who collaborate and work together within our various subspecialties to ensure the highest standards, and the best outcomes for our patients.
Across our shared breadth of experience, we aim to provide a world class, comprehensive, cutting edge and evidence based neurosurgical service that puts the patient’s well being and outcome at the centre of all decisions about clinical care.
Our Surgeons
Associate Professor Andrew Danks
MBBS, MD, FRACS
A/Prof Danks is an experienced and expert adult and pediatric neurosurgeon. He trained in the The Australian training system, working in all major Victorian neurosurgical units ...
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before completing a doctorate by thesis in the field of brain tumour biology. He then completed a joint fellowship at The Brigham and Women's Hospital in Boston and Boston Children's Hospital in neuro-oncology and paediatric neurosurgery, with the development of an interest in movement disorder surgery.
A/Prof Danks has worked in public and private practice at Monash Medical Centre and Jessie McPherson Private Hospital for 23 years, and as the head of the neurosurgery unit there for 19 years. He is heavily involved in the training and supervision of junior staff and has been an examiner for the FRACS in neurosurgery for the past six years.
A/Prof Danks believes in an open and candid style of practice, where the proposed therapies are discussed at length, to allow patients to come to a joint decision with the surgeon. Some conditions may be better managed non-operatively rather than with surgery, whilst the two options might both be reasonable in other situations. In those situations where there is a clear advantage to surgery, then this will be clearly recommended, explained, and discussed to the level of detail required by the individual patient.
A/Prof Danks has considerable experience and expertise in brain tumour surgery and management, hydrocephalus and its surgical management, and medical and surgical treatment for trigeminal neuralgia, Chiari malformations, and spinal dysraphism. Expert in the management of elective and emergency neurovascular conditions; and in the management of spinal disorders including cord compression, spinal tumours, radiculopathy, syringomyelia, and degenerative spinal conditions. A/Prof Danks is an expert in peripheral nerve disorders and their treatment and performs deep brain stimulation surgery for movement disorders.
Professor Tony Goldschlager
MBBS, DCH (London) PhD, FRACS
Professor Goldschlager is a Neurosurgeon with extensive training in the management of brain tumors, pituitary tumors, and complex spine conditions ...
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He specialises in minimally invasive techniques for surgery of the brain and spine with a focus on patient centered care. He is the Head of Endoscopic Skull Base Surgery, and the Head of Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery at the Department of Neurosurgery, Monash Health and an adjunct Professor, Department of Surgery, Monash University.
Tony has a strong research focus with a special interest in the enhancement of current neurosurgical techniques through evolving biotechnology. He has led both preclinical and clinical trials and has presented at numerous international meetings. He has been honoured with several prestigious awards, appointments and prizes.
Tony completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at Monash University in 1999. He successfully completed his Neurosurgical fellowship examinations by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2011. He completed his neurosurgical training at hospitals including the Alfred, the Royal Children’s, the Royal Brisbane and Monash Medical Centre. He completed his PhD in 2010, and was awarded the prestigious Monash University Vice Chancellor’s Award and the Senator Kay Patterson Award.
With a special interest in complex spinal surgery and base of skull surgery, Tony completed a complex spine fellowship at the Vancouver General Hospital and the University of British Columbia. This is a world-renowned combined Neurosurgical and Orthopaedic Spine Centre, and is regarded as one of the best North American spine fellowships. He followed this with a minimally invasive endoscopic skull based fellowship in New York at Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical College.
Tony operates at Cabrini and Monash Hospitals. He has appointments as Consultant Neurosurgeon at Monash Health and the Austin Hospitals. He is on the Research and Examination Committees of the Neurosurgical Society of Australia, involved in training neurosurgeons and medical research.
His rooms are located in Malvern, directly opposite Cabrini Private Hospital, and in the new Monash Specialist Centre on Clayton Rd.
Dr Jeremy Kam
MBBS, FRACS, PFET (Spine)
Mr Jeremy Kam, is a highly trained Neurosurgeon. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons after completing the Australian Neurosurgical program…
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He is a consultant Neurosurgeon at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, Austin Hospital, Monash Health and Cabrini Hospital and specialises in endoscopic pituitary surgery and complex spine surgery.
Mr Kam obtained his MBBS at Melbourne University and was awarded a Masters of Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology. He has a strong focus on spine oncology. He is the supervisor for non-accredited trainees at Monash Health. He is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for his patients, he presents all the options and is focused on patient centred care.
Mr Kam has expertise in minimally invasive neurosurgery both to the spine and skull base. He has undertaken post fellowship training in complex spine surgery and endoscopic skull base surgery. He utilises the latest technology and techniques, providing high level care for his patients.
Associate Professor Leon Lai
MBBS, PhD, FRACS
A/Prof Lai serves as the deputy Chairman of the Department of Neurosurgery
and Director of Cerebrovascular Training at Monash Medical Centre, Melbourne…
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He specialises in the surgical treatment of cerebrovascular diseases (aneurysms, AVMs, cavernomas, brain bypass), brain tumours, and skull base tumours (acoustic neuroma, meningioma).
Dr. Lai graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Melbourne and was awarded a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) for his work that focused on surgical management and innovations in the treatment of brain aneurysms. He holds an Academic Professorship at the Department of Surgery at Monash University.
With a commitment to providing academic practice, Associate Professor Lai actively engages in clinical and laboratory-based research that pushes the envelope in general, cerebrovascular and skull base neurosurgery. His research has resulted in numerous peer-reviewed publications, book chapters, and editorials.
Associate Professor Lai is the Editor in chief for a recently published book on Neurosurgical Diseases - An Evidence-Based Approach to Guide Practice (contributed by some of the world’s leading neurosurgeons), and is regularly invited to be a keynote speaker at prestigious national and international conferences in his research areas.
Professor Justin Moore
MD, JD (LLB), PhD, MPH, MBA, FRACS Chair/Director of Neurosurgery, Monash Health
Professor Moore is Chair of Neurosurgery at Monash Health. Previously he was a A/Professor at Harvard Medical School ...
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and was section director of cerebrovascular and skull base neuro-oncology at BIDMC in Boston, USA. Professor Moore specialises in Neurovascular and Skull Base Neurosurgery
Dr Reece Sher
BAppSc (MRS), BMedSc, MBBS (Hons) FRACS (Neurosurgery), PFET (Spine)
Mr. Reece Sher is an Australian trained Neurosurgeon with specialised interest in spinal surgery and neuro-oncology (brain and spine tumour). . .
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Mr. Sher has trained with over 30 Australian and overseas fellowship trained neurosurgeons and over half a dozen orthopaedic spinal surgeons.
He has received extensive training in traditional techniques as well as modern minimally invasive neurosurgical and spinal surgical techniques along with surgical adjuncts such as stereotaxy and robotics.
If surgery is necessary, Mr. Sher uses a combination of all these techniques to tailor surgical plans for his patients.
The focus of Mr. Sher’s practice is to maintain mobility and improve functional outcomes for his patients whilst minimising surgical and non-surgical complications.
He routinely collaborates with other physicians, surgeons and allied health professionals including spinal physiotherapists to tailor treatment plans specific for his patients.
Mr. Sher has public appointments at the Austin Hospital and Northern Hospital.
He has private hospital appointments at Cabrini Hospital (Malvern), Epworth Hospital (Richmond), John Fawkner Private Hospital (Coburg) and Warringal Private Hospital (Heidelberg).
His main consulting suites are at Cabrini Specialist Centre (Hawthorn East), Epworth Freemasons (East Melbourne) and John Fawkner Private Hospital (Coburg).
Dr Piers Thomas
MBBS MSc MRCP DTMH FRACS
Piers read medicine at Imperial College London, graduating in 2006, with subsequent academic studies in London, Melbourne and Oxford…
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Piers read medicine at Imperial College London, graduating in 2006, with subsequent academic studies in London, Melbourne and Oxford. He completed specialist neurosurgery training across a variety of units through the Australasian training system, followed by a sub-speciality fellowship in functional neurosurgery in Oxford- a pre-eminent clinical and academic centre in this field.
He holds appointments as consultant neurosurgeon at Monash Health and as visiting specialist to Royal Darwin Hospital. Thus, he offers services across general cranial and spinal neurosurgery to a diverse range of Australians. This is alongside his specialist interest in the surgical management of movement disorders (such as Parkinson’s Disease and tremor), working closely with expert neurologists in this regard.
He promotes a responsible approach to the application of surgery, prioritising clear articulation of the rationale behind management options, with the prudent use of contemporary evidence. He places particular emphasis on distilling the complex situations that arise within neurosurgery into understandable, sensible steps.
Alongside his public hospital appointments, he consults privately at Monash Specialist centre.
Senior Physiotherapist and Practice Nurse
Peter Allen
B.SES, M.Physio
Peter graduated in 2013 and worked in the NHS as well as private practice in Edinburgh for 3 years.
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Upon moving to Melbourne in 2016 he has worked in private practice with specialisation in neck and back pain clients. During this time Peter has also worked with sports clubs and as a clinical Pilates instructor. Peter has worked with Melbourne Brain and Spine Group for the past three years, seeing surgical and conservatively managed clients. The initial focus is symptom management through a range of treatment techniques, with a progressive focus on exercise and strength training. This approach allows clients to take ownership of their conditions and return to activities they enjoy.
Kylie Fryer
Registered Nurse
Registered Nurse; Research Trials Co-ordinator Nursing, Post Grad Dip Advanced Clinical Neurosciences...
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Kylie has worked for Monash Health for 23 years in the Department of Neurosurgery, Neurology, and Stroke. With a wealth of medical and surgical clinical knowledge, Kylie has held positions of Associate Nurse Unit Manager and Clinical Nurse Specialist nursing patients following neurosurgical procedures in the High Dependency Unit on the Neurosciences Ward at Monash Health, has mentored many undergraduate and graduate nurses, and has lectured on the Transition to Specialty Practice Program and Graduate Nurse Program for many years before transitioning into the current position of Clinical trials Co-ordinator in Neurology and Neurosurgery with key areas or interest being neck and spine in particular discogenic back
pain, pituitary outcomes and spinal oncology and microdiscectomy surgery outcomes. Kylie contributes to the attainment and sharing of professional research expertise by networking with local, national, and international stakeholders. Kylie has been recognised on a multinational collaborative study to have the highest follow-up and compliance rate of any study centre. Alongside Associate Professor Tong Goldschlager Kylie co-ordinated and oversaw the Australian arm of an international Phase III trial of MSC to treat discogenic back pain which has since been completed and is in preparation for publication.
At Melbourne Brain Spine Kylie demonstrates a commitment to person-centered care and best practice standards, using her diverse specialist skills and knowledge to work collaboratively with the team. Kylie’s commitment to care is engaging with all patients and being actively involved in their care coordination, and support them through their journeys, be it nonoperative or surgical management.
Our colleagues
We work with qualified, highly skilled colleagues who share our values for clinical patient care.
Dr Adam Feldman
Melbourne University MBBS, FANZCA
After completing medical training at the University of Melbourne, Dr Feldman worked at a number of hospitals around Melbourne.
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Formal Anaesthesia training was done through the St Vincent’s hospital program, which included placements at the Royal Children’s, Royal Woman’s and Royal Eye and Ear Hospitals. Dr Feldman works in a mix of public and private hospitals. Dr Feldman has a broad practise and provides anaesthesia regularly for ophthalmic (eye) surgery, ENT surgery, Neurosurgery, Colorectal surgery, Bariatric surgery, Plastic and Cosmetic surgery, Urology and Endoscopy. Dr Feldman sits on the Linacre hospital committee and is a guest reviewer for a peer reviewed journal of Obesity surgery. In addition Dr Feldman regularly participates in teaching both Anaesthetic trainees and medical undergraduates.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION
Ophthalmic (eye) surgery, ENT surgery, Neurosurgery, Colorectal surgery, Bariatric surgery, Plastic and Cosmetic surgery, Urology and Endoscopy.
QUALIFICATIONS
Melbourne University MBBS FANZCA
Dr Martin Kim
MBBS (Hons) FANZCA
Dr Martin Kim graduated from the University of Western Australia. He trained in anaesthesia at Monash Medical Centre.
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Overseas he completed a year in Canada at the end of his training, specialising in neuro anaesthesia. When he returned from overseas he commenced full-time work at Monash Medical Centre. He continued there until 2005, when he entered private practice. At present he does one day a week at Monash Medical Centre, and the rest in private practice.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION
Dr Platt specialises in Anaesthesia for spinal surgery, gynaecological surgery, vascular surgery and neurosurgery. He is also able to anaesthetise children, and for many other surgical specialties. He participates in the teaching of trainees at Monash medical Centre and he is an examiner for the College of Anaesthetists final exam.
QUALIFICATIONS
MBBS, FANZCA,Post Grad Diploma in Clinical Ultrasound
Dr Hugh Platt
MBBS, FANZCA
Dr Hugh Platt graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1991. He trained in anaesthesia at the Monash Medical Centre.
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At the end of his training, he completed 2 years of speciality training in Toronto, Canada, and Royal Perth Hospital. His specialty training was in the field of Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia including Heart and Lung Transplant and 3-D Echocardiography. He is presently Chair of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists Cardiac Special Interest Group and a Fellowship Examiner for the anaesthesia college examinations. He is currently a Visiting Specialist Anaesthetist at the Victorian Heart Hospital with a special interest in Heart and Lung surgery. He also holds an appointment as a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Melbourne.
AREAS OF SPECIALISATION
Cardiothoracic surgery, Neurosurgery, Interventional Cardiology
QUALIFICATIONS
MBBS(Hons) FANZCA Master of Clinical Ultrasound NBE PTEeXAM Specialist Cardiac Anaesthetist
Dr Tuan Pham
MBBS, FANZCA
Dr Hugh Platt graduated from the University of Melbourne in 1991. He trained in anaesthesia at the Monash Medical Centre.
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Dr Tuan Pham graduated medicine from Monash University, before pursuing Anaesthetics training via the Monash Anaesthetics Training Scheme. After working as a consultant at Monash Medical Centre and Casey Hospital, he pursued further specialisation in Cardiothoracic Anaesthesia and Transoesophageal Echocardiogram at St Michaels Hospital in Toronto before returning to Melbourne and full-time private practice, where neurosurgery now forms a large part of his work.
Areas of Specialisation
Neurosurgery, Cardiothoracics, Interventional Cardiology, Orthopaedics
Qualifications
MBBS, BMedSc (Hons), PGDipClinUS, FANZCA, NBE PTEeXAM
Locations
Consultations
Berwick
75 Kangan Drive Berwick VIC 3806 (St John of God- Specialist consulting suites)
Clayton
Monash specialist centre Suite 12, Level 1 212-220 Clayton Road Clayton, VIC, 3168
Coburg
John Fawkner Private Hospital 275 Moreland Road, Coburg, VIC, 3058
East Melbourne
Suite 8.2, Level 8, 124 Grey Street, East Melbourne, VIC, 3002 (Epworth Freemasons)
Hawthorn East
Cabrini Specialist Centre Level 2, 141 Camberwell Road, Hawthorn East, VIC, 3123
Malvern
Specialist Consulting Suites 198 Wattletree Road Malvern, VIC, 3144 (Opposite Cabrini Hospital)
Cabrini Hospital Suite 53, Level 1, Surgical and Movement Precinct (Between building 1S and 1C), 183 Wattletree Road Malvern, VIC, 3144
Surgery
Berwick
St John of God Hospital 75 Kangan Drive Berwick, VIC, 3806
Clayton
Jessie Mcpherson Private Hospital 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168
Malvern
Cabrini Hospital 181/183 Wattletree Rd, Malvern, VIC, 3144
Richmond
Epworth Hospital 89 Bridge Rd, Richmond, VIC, 3121