Highly Qualified Healthcare
Professionals in Townsville
Practitioners – Medical
Dr Sidney Calder
General Practitioner – Registrar
After growing up in Townsville, Dr Sidney Calder completed her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery at James Cook University. She completed her residency at Townsville University Hospital and is excited to be undertaking her training with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Dr Sidney is passionate about Antenatal care, Women’s health and Paediatrics and is currently completing a Certificate in Women’s Health through RANZCOG. Dr Sidney is passionate about working together with patients to help provide support and education regarding all aspects of health care.
Dr Joanne Bell
General Practitioner
Dr. Joanne Bell, MBChB (2001), MRCS (London), DO-HNS (Diploma Otorhinolaryngology), S100 Prescriber (HIV/Hepatitis B), FRACGP
Joanne is a Fellow of the Royal College of General Practice and takes pride in her work as a specialist in General Practice, enjoying all aspects of it.
She has advanced certification including being an authorized s100 prescriber of hepatitis B and HIV medications. She also prescribes medical therapy for hepatitis C and HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (PREP).
She has a special interest in sexual health including screening for sexually transmitted infections and contraceptives – she is fully qualified to insert the IUD and Implanon device.
Dr Natasha Ratabakau
General Practitioner
Natasha completed her MBBS at the Fiji School of Medicine University of the South Pacific in 2010. After a few years working in the Fiji hospitals, she moved to Rockhampton and continued her studies working in General Practice as a GP Registrar with James Cook University.
Natasha is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and enjoys all aspects of General Practice. Now recently relocated in Townsville with her young family, she is very excited to be joining the Nurture Family team.
Dr Catherine Bassett
General Practitioner – Registrar
Dr Catherine Bassett (MBBS, BN, BSc, DRANZCOG) is originally from Brisbane and studied at the University of Notre Dame in WA, completing her residency at the Royal Perth and King Edward Memorial Hospitals. She came to Townsville for an advanced skill in obstetrics and gynaecology as part of the Rural Generalist program and is excited be undertaking training with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Dr Catherine has a passion for women’s health, antenatal care and paediatrics and performs implanon and Mirena insertion. She has a keen interest in all aspects of general practice.
She is a mum of two very busy boys, and spends weekends outdoors, bike riding, hiking and finding new ways keep her little ones active.
Dr Trefyn Francis
General Practitioner – Registrar
Dr Trefyn Francis has a Bachelor of Medicine from the University of Newcastle and a Bachelor of Public Health – Paramedics from Queensland University.
Trefyn worked as a Paramedic for QAS prior to studying medicine. As a doctor Trefyn has worked in Teamwork and Coffs Harbour before relocating to North Qld. Trefyn has an interest in Women’s health and Palliative care.
When not at work Trefyn enjoys playing soccer and cricket and singing.
Karen Kemp
Practice Nurse
I finished my Bachelor of Nursing in Science at the University of Canberra in 1995. Prior to Practice Nursing I had 8 years nursing in a Private Hospital in the ACT and 1 year in Aged Care in Management.
In 2004 -I started General Practice Nursing for better work/life balance and still love it 19 years later. I love working with families providing support, immunisations, assisting with chronic disease management and have recently started my Masters in Nursing this year.
For 2 years, while I had a hiatus from practice nursing (during COVID), I worked in Defence Recruitment and for Insurance companies doing medicals and venepuncture. I also was a Osteoporosis Nurse Educator travelling between Mackay and Cairns last year.
I have 3 children, 2 in their 20’s living in Canberra and a daughter currently in high school.
In my spare time I enjoy tennis, scuba diving, playing the ukelele, painting and Latin/ballroom dancing.
Practitioners – Allied Health
Sherryn Silverthorne
Director/Chiropractor/Midwife
Townsville-born Dr Sherryn Silverthorne (chiropractor), completed her Bachelor of Nursing Science at JCU and worked as an RN in Townsville until she moved to England to work and study Bachelor of Science in Midwifery. After living, studying and working in the UK for 3 and a half years, she returned to Australia. Working in Toowoomba as a Midwife for a few years, she returned to study Bachelor of Chiropractic Science followed by a Master of Clinical Chiropractic at RMIT in Melbourne, while continuing to work as a midwife. Upon completion of her chiropractic studies and after working as a chiropractor for a few years, she then continued her studies through the New Zealand College of Chiropractic and the International College of Chiropractic Paediatrics (USA), completing a 3-year diploma in Clinical Chiropractic Paediatrics.
Sherryn utilises a wide range of chiropractic (including Diversified, Thompson Drop Piece Table, Activator and SOT) and soft tissue techniques, tailoring her treatments to meet the individual needs of the client. Sherryn has completed the SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis) training and accreditation. She has also studied cranial sacral therapy through Upledger Institute, including paediatric and advanced paediatric cranial sacral therapy courses and incorporates this technique into her treatments.
As a part of her role at Nurture Family Health Centre, Sherryn enjoys working with families, utilising all of her qualifications and skills to assist them through the difficult time that they may be experiencing. Sherryn is also the mother of three amazing children.
Joshua Smith - "Talk With Josh"
B.Sp.Path, MSPA CPSP
Speech Pathologist
Talk with Josh provides Speech Language Pathology services to clients of all ages, and across most areas of Speech Pathology Practice.
Joshua Smith graduated from James Cook University in 2014 and began practicing Speech Pathology in 2015. He has a broad experience base including complex communication, working with people who have multiple impairments, early intervention and swallowing and mealtimes. He is also experienced at working within multidiscipline teams, and across multiple service providers including health, education, residential care and lifestyle support providers.
Joshua believes that the foundation of SLP practice is client engagement and building the therapeutic alliance.
Joshua has been a member of Speech Pathology Australia since 2012, as a student, new graduate and as a Certified Practicing Speech Pathologist.
Currently Recruiting
Occupational Therapist
Nurture is currently advertising and seeking a experienced Paediatric Occupational Therapist, if you are interested in this position please contact the Practice Manager via email: admin@nurturehealthcentre.com
Currently Recruiting
Physiotherapist
Nurture is currently advertising and seeking an experienced Physiotherapist. If you are interested in this position, please contact the Practice Manager via email: admin@nurturehealthcentre.com
Currently Recruiting
Psychologist
Nurture is currently advertising and seeking an experienced Physiotherapist. If you are interested in this position, please contact the Practice Manager via email: admin@nurturehealthcentre.com
Dental
Dr Sarah Wilkinson
Dr Sarah Wilkinson grew up in the UK and graduated in dentistry from the University of Birmingham in 1997. After 3 years working in both hospital and private practice, she emigrated to Australia in 2001, initially to Wagga Wagga in New South Wales, and then to Townsville in 2004.
Since moving to Townsville, Sarah has worked in a variety of roles in both the public and private sectors. In addition to her clinical dental practice, she also works as an Assessor for the Australian Council on Healthcare Standards, assessing hospitals and other healthcare facilities for accreditation against the National Standards.
Sarah is a keen long distance runner and in her spare time can often be found training for her next event on the trails of Castle Hill.
We are excited to announce that we have Dr Lindsay J Smith joining our team at Nurture on February 8th
Dr Lindsay has been a dental surgeon for 22 years and lived in Townsville with her family for 22 years.
She has a special interest and post graduate education in the following:
-Tongue tie and oral restriction treatment in all age groups, especially babies.
-early intervention orthopaedics and jaw expansion in children under 10
-optimal function and development of the orofacial respiratory complex
-sleep medicine and sleep apnoea diagnosis and treatment
-adult fixed and aligner orthodontics
-craniofacial pain and TMJ issues
-comprehensive facial aesthetics and rejuvenation
Dr Lindsay is passionate about treating her patients holistically so that they can attain optimal function and development and achieve an improved long-term health span.
Directors
Sherryn Silverthorne
Director/Chiropractor/Midwife
Townsville-born Dr Sherryn Silverthorne (chiropractor), completed her Bachelor of Nursing Science at JCU and worked as an RN in Townsville until she moved to England to work and study Bachelor of Science in Midwifery. After living, studying and working in the UK for 3 and a half years, she returned to Australia. Working in Toowoomba as a Midwife for a few years, she returned to study Bachelor of Chiropractic Science followed by a Master of Clinical Chiropractic at RMIT in Melbourne, while continuing to work as a midwife. Upon completion of her chiropractic studies and after working as a chiropractor for a few years, she then continued her studies through the New Zealand College of Chiropractic and the International College of Chiropractic Paediatrics (USA), completing a 3-year diploma in Clinical Chiropractic Paediatrics.
Sherryn utilises a wide range of chiropractic (including Diversified, Thompson Drop Piece Table, Activator and SOT) and soft tissue techniques, tailoring her treatments to meet the individual needs of the client. Sherryn has completed the SEAS (Scientific Exercise Approach to Scoliosis) training and accreditation. She has also studied cranial sacral therapy through Upledger Institute, including paediatric and advanced paediatric cranial sacral therapy courses and incorporates this technique into her treatments.
As a part of her role at Nurture Family Health Centre, Sherryn enjoys working with families, utilising all of her qualifications and skills to assist them through the difficult time that they may be experiencing. Sherryn is also the mother of three amazing children.
Cheryl Laing
Director
Cheryl started her career in 1971 when she qualified as a Dental Assistant in Melbourne. After Moving to Townsville and raising a family, Cheryl and Her late husband (Dr Lachlan Laing) started a private Medical Centre in 1995. Cheryl continued to run and grow the Medical Centre for 26 years until it was sold in 2020. In 2015, Nurture was established to provide better care for Mums and Bubs in Townsville. Nurture has grown and now provides Medical, Allied Health and Dental Care to Townsville and District. Cheryl is a Mother and grandmother and has achieved a great deal in both Business and personal accomplishments.
Admin – Practice Manager
Shelley Duncan
Practice Manager
Shannon
Receptionist
Zali
Receptionist
Holly
Receptionist
Megan
Receptionist
Elizabeth (Liz)
Receptionist