Our Practice Team
Click on the staff category to view our staff profiles:
Doctors and Nursing Staff
Don Medical Clinic - Doctor Team:
Dr Jane Cooper
Specialist General Practitioner - Rural Generalist
Principal GP
Bach.Med.Sci. MBBS. DRANZCOG , FRACGP-RG, FARGP, FACRRM
2016 National and Tasmania RACGP GP of the Year
Dr Cooper grew up in Tasmania and she attended Spreyton Primary, Reece High School and Don College. She completed her medical degree at UTas. She is interested in all facets of general practice but has great passion supporting and advocating for young people in the community. She is also developing an interest in Sexual Health and HIV medicine and Transgender heatlh and well being and works closely with the the state Sexual Health Service.
She has worked as a medical educator, with General Practice Training Tasmania (GPTT) for 16 years and is currently a superivsor for GPTT registrars - doctors in training in general practice. Don Medical Clinic works in collaboration with UTas providing education at Don Medical Clinic for 5th Year medical students spend 4-5 week blocks to gain skills in General Practice and work readiness for their internships.
Dr Jane Cooper has completed her :
- Fellowship in Rural General Practice in 2016 ( FARGP )
- has been recognised as a Rural Generalist (FRACGP-RG)
- and became a Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine in 2021. ( FACRRM )
- Diploma in Teaching and Learning for Health Professonals at UTas in 2017
- Diploma in Clinical Redesign at UTas in 2019
- Devonport Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Business Achiever Award 2018
- Nominated for Telstra Business Women's award in 2020
Dr Cooper was awarded both National and Tasmania RACGP GP of the Year in 2016.
She is married to Ian and has three children. She loves running, gardening and spending time with her family.
An Advocate for Youth Health - MJA
Dr Meredith Stewart
Specialist General Practitioner
MBBS (Hons), FRACGP, DCH
Senior Lecturer, Rural Clinical School (UTAS)
Dr Meredith is currently doing a weekly session on Thursdays, whilst also working as a senior Lecturer with medical students at the Rural Clinical School in Burnie. Dr Meredith is a local graduate from the UTAS , having spent several years in Western Australia as part of her early training. She has a special interest in paediatrics. She is married with two children, who keep her very busy .
Dr Rebecca Shugg
Specialist General Practitioner
MBBS, DRANZCOG, FRACGP
"Dr Bec" is originally from country Victoria, studied medicine at Monash University and completed General Practice training in Geelong, Victoria, in 2018. She spent some time living and working in the Northern Territory before moving with her family to Devonport in early 2021.
Dr Bec completed a diploma in obstetrics and gynaecology early in her General Practice training, continued to foster an interest in sexual and reproductive health and is currently undertaking a certificate in this topic with Family Planning Australia. She has particular interest in contraception including IUD insertion, pregnancy and prenatal planning and gender diverse health. Rebecca also enjoys providing general medical care to people of all ages and backgrounds.
Outside of work, Rebecca loves spending time outdoors with her family, hiking, cycling, orienteering and rock-climbing among other things. She's also a keen vegetable gardener and at any given time has at least half a dozen craft projects in progress. She also works for teh UTAS Rural Clinical school as a lecturer for medical students.
Dr Peter Dewing
Specialist General Practitioner
MBBS, FRACGP, RGA, EMD
Dr Peter Dewing grew up in a small town in rural Western Australia and studied and trained in Perth, qualifying as a general practitioner in 2014.
He has also completed post-fellowship qualifications in both Anaesthesia and Emergency Medicine.
After qualifying he spent several years in the remote north-west centres of Kununurra and Port Hedland, before eventually settling in Tasmania in 2018. Initially coming for a short-term locum, he was drawn to the enviable lifestyle, friendly people and the opportunity to explore Tasmania's wilderness areas.
Peter works on Wednesdays at the Don Medical Clinic. His other working days are spent as an Anaesthetist between the Mersey Community Hospital and North West Private Hospital. He covers all aspects of general practice and has a particular interest in acute medicine, adult general medicine and men's health.
In his spare time he enjoys running, playing hockey, hiking and exploring, and spending time with his family.
Dr Jae Jang
General Practitioner - Registrar
BMED, MD
Dr. Jae, born in South Korea, grew up in Brisbane and pursued his medical education at the University of New South Wales. After graduation, he worked in various hospitals across Queensland, including around one year of experience at several rural hospitals in the state. He has completed rotations in a diverse range of departments, including paediatrics, emergency, geriatrics, orthopaedics, general surgery, gynaecology, mental health, general medicine, urology, and rehabilitation.
Now beginning his specialist GP training, Dr. Jae is dedicated to providing thorough and compassionate care to his patients. He looks forward to achieving his Specialist GP fellowship upon completing his training.
Outside of his professional life, Dr. Jae has a passion for martial arts and hiking. He also enjoys all manner of quiet stay-at-home activities, particularly reading and watching movies.
Dr Jae will be continuing his GP Specialist training at Don Medical Clinic in 2025.
Dr Upashna Madhanpall
General Practitioner - Registrar
MBBS
Dr. Upashna Madhanpall (Dr. Pash) was born in South Africa and raised in Melbourne. She earned her medical degree in China and after retuning home , successfully passed the AMC board exams in 2021.
Over the past two years she has been working across the Mersey Community Hospital and Northwest Regional Hospitals, with additional experience at Queenstown District Hospital.
She has completed various core and specialty rotations, including emergency medicine, surgery, paediatrics, and obstetrics/gynaecology. During this time, Dr. Pash developed a strong connection with the local community, which led her to choose Tasmania as the place to continue her training.
As she begins her journey in general practice, she hopes to continue providing a compassionate and holistic approach to the care of her patients. She has specific interests in mental health and women's health and plans to expand her knowledge in integrative medicine and end-of-life care as she works towards her fellowship.
Outside of work, Dr. Pash enjoys activities that help her stay grounded and connected to her purpose. She loves reflective writing, swimming, practicing meditation, and spending time in nature.
Dr Pash will be starting her training at Don Medical Clinic from January 28th, 2025
Don Medical Clinic - Nurse Team:
Janet Bell
Registered Nurse, Nurse Immuniser
Janet is new to our team in her nurse role and has extensive experience across various fields of nursing and midwifery, namely antenatal and postnatal midwifery, community nursing, Aged Care and General Practice, with a highlight of setting up an Aboriginal Community Controlled Health centre in Albury NSW in 2005.
Janet is an authorised Nurse Immuniser and has interests in assisting patients with weight loss.
Janet moved to Tasmania 2016 from rural NSW to settle near her Grandchildren. She is an active bushwalker and bike rider and lives with her partner in Moriarty.
Office Staff
Reception Team Leader: Codie Taylor
Codie grew up in Hobart & moved to Devonport where she completed year 12 at Don College.
Codie loves reading books, overseas travel & watching Disney movies. Codie has taken on the Reception leadership role at Don Medical Clinic.
Reception/Medical Practice Assistant: Anita McCall
Anita has been wtih the practice since it was establishd in 2013. Originally from Western Australia she has lived on the North West Coast with her family for over 30 years.
She completed extra certified training as a medical practice assistant in 2021 enhancing her administration role with new found clinical skills and is often seen assisting the GPs and nurses..
She loves gardening especially her vegie garden and is whiz at making decorative cakes !
Reception: Michelle Devlyn
Michelle grew up in Hobart and relocated to Devonport in 2001.
Michelle has worked as either an optometric receptionist/dispenser or medical receptionist since leaving Year 12, she is passionate about her own health and wellbeing, ergo, the health and wellbeing of others. She has a keen interest in nutrition and exercise.
Michelle enjoys Summer, bushwalking, reading cooking and learning fascinating facts.
Reception:
Business Manager
Ian Abraham
BAppSc(Optom), PGCOT
Ian grew up and studied Optometry in Brisbane before moving to Tasmania in 1987 for a "2 year" stint. Ian enjoyed the lifestyle Tasmania offered and moved to Devonport in 1990 after purchasing his own Optometry practice. He is passionate about offering personalised eyecare and healthcare in family practice. Deciding on a change of career, Ian took on the role of Business Manager at Don Medical in 2014 in partnership with Dr Jane. Ian now spends most days at Don Medical Clinic in management whilst also providing some Part time clinical Optometry at the practice. Ian is married to Dr Jane with 3 adolescent children. He enjoys spending time with the family, bushwalking and the occasional game of golf when not chauffering the children around the countryside.
Visiting Allied Health Service Providers
Erica Cunningham - Dietitian
Erica is a dietitian, food lover and coffee addict.She believes that good food is one massive piece to the puzzle of good health. Food literally becomes us! When we are eating the real, wholesome food our body needs, our mind and body can thrive. Diet is more than just about weight loss, calorie counting and fad diets. Erica's goal is to help people take on a fresh perspective of food
Erica has a range of experience, working in Hospitals, medical centres and residential aged care facilities in both Tasmania and Queensland. She has had extensive training and experience in paediatrics, allergies, intolerances, weight loss surgery and sports nutrition. She an NDIS, Medicare and DVA provider.
In her spare time you can find her sipping lattes with her hubby, trail running and trying new recipes. Skip the fad diet and come and see Erica!
Erica visits Don Medical Clinic on a monthly basis. Self referrals can be made and referrals from your doctor under an EPC program if you have chronic conditions, please talk to reception/ nurse/doctor to assess your eligibility.
To make an appointment with Erica please call reception at Don Medical Clinic on 6441 5299