OUR DOCTORS AND NURSES

Dr Geoffrey Thomas

BSc(Hons), MBBS(Hons), Dip Obs, Dip Av Med, FACRRM

GP Synergy Registrar Supervisor

Dr Geoffrey Thomas is the founder of Sapphire Clinic which has been servicing the community for 20 years, providing comprehensive and patient focused care. Prior to this, Dr Thomas spent 7 years in hospital training before 8 years with the Royal Flying Doctor Service as a rural practitioner. He then settled in Merimbula with his wife Marasri, who is a great support to the Clinic.

Geoff’s experience is diverse with experience in Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, Anaesthetics, Aboriginal Health and Aviation medicine. Geoff says, “I’ve seen what medicine can and can’t cure, nowadays I’m interested in helping people achieve the best quality of life available to them”. Geoff’s interests include diabetes, obesity and lifestyle medicine and he is accredited to perform Aviation medicals.

Geoff is a GP Synergy Registrar Supervisor for both ACRRM and RACGP registrars. He has received a teaching excellence award from the Australian National University for his contribution to medical student education.

Dr Thomas is currently not accepting new patients.

Dr Yin Lee

MBBS, Dip of Child Health, DRANZCOG (Adv), FRACGP

GP Synergy Registrar Supervisor

Dr Yin Lee first came to our clinic as a student in 2010 and returned to complete her GP training at Sapphire Clinic. She is now one of our permanent Fellow GPs.

She has a special interest in Women’s and Children’s Health, having completed additional training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology with an Advanced Diploma in Women’s Health as well as a Diploma in Child Health. She works at South East Regional Hospital as GP Obstetrician in the Maternity Unit supporting our local Obstetrics and Gynaecology Service.

She undertakes shared antenatal care, Implanon, Mirena insertions and general skin excisions/biopsies at the clinic. She enjoys the breadth of rural general practice which also extends her experience to chronic disease management, preventative health, aged care and palliative care. Her goal is to look after you as a whole person in a caring and supportive way.

Yin is a GP Synergy Registrar Supervisor for both ACRRM and RACGP registrars. You will also find her supervising our medical students.

Dr Lee may accept new antenatal patients pending capacity.

Dr Corin Miller

B Sc(Exercise), MBBS, Dip of Child Health, FRACGP

Dr Corin Miller is a specialist General Practitioner with a passion for children’s health. She loves being part of the team at Sapphire Clinic in addition to her work in the Department of Paediatrics at South East Regional Hospital, Bega. In her hospital role, she provides care for neonates (newborns), plus inpatient, outpatient and telehealth care for babies and children. She also has extensive experience working in Emergency Medicine.

Corin’s special interests include providing care for children and young people with general medical problems, Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), and mood difficulties. She is also passionate about caring for children with complex and chronic illnesses and those in out-of-home care.

Corin loves teaching both junior doctors and medical students, for which she received an award for “teaching excellence in clinical supervision”. She is also a Clinical Editor for HealthPathways, an online portal for healthcare professionals.

When Corin isn’t caring for the families and children of the Sapphire Coast, she is keeping active with her young family and enjoying her vegetable garden.

Dr Corin Miller is currently not accepting new patients.

Dr Jessica Weber

BMedSc MCHD

Dr Jess Weber grew up in Canberra and trained at the Australian National University, completing her medical degree (postgraduate) in 2018 following an extended rural placement in Moruya / Bateman’s Bay for 12 months.

After graduating from medical school, she worked for 12 months as an intern at South East Regional Hospital, completing rotations in General Medicine, General Surgery, Emergency and General Practice. Over the next 2 years, she spent time working at the Canberra Hospital in Paediatrics, Emergency, Surgery and Geriatrics, followed by 12 months of locum work in various rural locations including Griffith, Mildura and Port Lincoln.

In her travels she decided that nothing could beat the South Coast and has returned to complete her Specialty training in General Practice.

She loves all aspects of General Practice but have a particular interest in procedural Dermatology, and will be working towards her Certificate of Primary Care Dermatology during her extended skills term this year.

In her spare time she enjoys mountain bike riding, hiking, and exploring the outdoors.

I’m very excited to be joining the team at Sapphire Clinic this year to finish my GP training!

Dr Jessica Weber is currently not accepting new patients.

Dr Angelina Che

Dr Angelina Che is our GP Registrar for 2024, and joins Sapphire Clinic to complete her GP training. She has joined us from Cooma where she has undertaken her early years of GP training as well as Emergency Department work. Prior to this she completed her junior medical training at Nepean Blue mountains Health district with varied specialities including Medicine, Surgery, Paediatrics, Emergency department and Obstetrics and Gynaecology.

Angelina has a wide range of skills with experience in rural and regional settings. She has a special interest in Women’s health, Obstetrics GP shared care, Paediatrics, skin excisions and family planning services. We are excited that Angelina has joined Sapphire Clinic and she is looking forward to caring for our current patients.

Dr Angelina Che is currently accepting new patients.

Dr Jaclyn Brown

MBBS (Hon), Dip Child Health, DRANZCOG, FRACGP

Dr Jaclyn Brown or Jacqui as she prefers, is a General Practitioner who enjoys meeting people of all ages and caring for them at different stages of life. Jacqui grew up in Merimbula, before graduating at Monash University with academic honors.

Jacqui perused her love of travel by completing her internship in Western Australia, and obtaining the Westmead Child Health Diploma. Jacqui holds a Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynecology and was practicing as a GP obstetrician in Bunbury Western Australia for several years.  The desire to start her own family drew her home to Merimbula after working her way around Australia as a locum.

Jacqui spent time in the Kimberley, working in emergency departments, general practices and Aboriginal medical services. Here she developed an interest in chronic disease management and has completed further training in mental health -focused psychological strategies, drug and alcohol counselling and is currently undertaking a diploma of diabetes.

Jacqui also works part time for the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners where she is a medical educator and examiner, assisting local and international doctors to become qualified general practitioners. 

Jacqui enjoys all that general practice throws at her from pregnancy planning to palliative care and everything in between. She really enjoys working in partnership with patients to optimise their health and wellbeing.

Dr Jaclyn Brown is currently not accepting new patients.

Leanne O’Brien, Robin Lightfoot and Ashley Brennan

Practice Nurses

Leanne was born and raised in the Bega Valley, she is an Endorsed Enrolled Nurse and a true local! She has worked in general practice for over 20 years and brings a wealth of knowledge, skills and experience to the position. She is an enthusiastic and cheerful nurse who is always at hand to help our doctors and care for our patients.

Robin comes to us as a Registered Nurse and Midwife having decades of experience working in public and private hospitals all over NSW. She has worked in Emergency Medicine, as a Midwife and Midwifery Unit Manager in tertiary level settings, and joins us after her last role as Nurse Manager at Bowral Hospital. It is an added bonus that she can help provide antenatal and postnatal care, along with lactation support to our new mothers.

Ashlee was born in the Bega Valley and spread her wings to Western Australian before coming back home to the East again. Ash has worked at The Canberra Hospital for 5 years specialising in Oncology, Geriatrics and Operating Theatre/Recovery nursing. For the next stage of Ash’s career she will be focusing on General Practice nursing at Sapphire Clinic.

All of our nurses provide extensive support in the collaborative care of our patients. They are specialists in coordinating chronic disease care through Care Plans and Health Assessments, wound management, preventive medicine and assist in and perform procedural work. We are grateful for their contribution to patient care at Sapphire Clinic.