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Our Team

Guiding Wheels of Wellness with Experience, Passion, and Vision for Holistic Community Care.

Jodi Brown

Chief executive officer

Dr Alister Keyser

SENIOR MEDICAL OFFICER

Dr Irene Tjhung

Doctor

Dr Agu Pepela

Doctor

Dr Julia Driscoll

Doctor

Wayne Christian

Indigenous Health Practitioner

Lexy Carroll

CLINICAL NURSE

Sarah Vaggs

CLINICAL Nurse

Jackie Healey

Clinical Nurse Coordinator

Elgina Dhillon

Social Worker

Brenda Been

Practice manager

Isabelle Maher

Medical Receptionist

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At Wheels of Wellness, we provide specialised healthcare and wellbeing services in a non-judgement, safe environment. Our team is comprised of dedicated health professionals, who are highly motivated and committed. Each day presents new challenges and opportunities, making our work environment dynamic and rewarding.

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Dr Alister Keyser
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Alister started his medical career as a General Practitioner in South Africa before taking international postings providing primary and emergency care in remote regions around the world. Developing broad international experience in health systems management and occupation and public health medicine, Alister has continued to support the Cairns healthcare community since 2013. Alister comes to WOW after spending two years supporting a large local Aboriginal Community Control Health Service through the COVID-19 period.

Dr Irene Tjhung
Doctor

Commencing in 2015, Dr Irene is the longest serving GP at WoW. Dr Irene has vast experience working with First Nations people through her work in the Torres Straits, the Tablelands, Cairns and surrounding district, specialising in complex conditions and chronic diseases.

Dr Agu Pepela
Doctor

Since joining WoW in July 2022, Dr Agu has been dedicated to delivering high-quality primary healthcare to the most vulnerable and marginalized individuals in Cairns. Dr Agu's regular Wednesday clinics and fortnightly after-hours clinics from the van ensure accessibility for those in need. With a focus on Indigenous Health, Tropical Health, Aged Care, Men's Health, and Sports Medicine, Dr. Agu brings valuable expertise to WoW. Furthermore, Dr Agu's ability to speak Spanish and Swahili is an asset that enhances WoW's ability to provide culturally sensitive care to a diverse range of patients.

"I have had a couple of very difficult patients, who were initially a dread to see. Then over time I got to know these clients better and they got to know me, and that is when we started making progress with their health. For most, if not all, of our clients continuity of care has probably never happened for them before because they would have never had the opportunity to see a GP regularly enough.

I like that we provide a community for people. People come here and get to know the staff, have a chat, have a feed, and find a sense of belonging somewhere."

Dr Julia Driscoll
Doctor

Dr Driscoll has been a GP for more than 30 years and has a passion for women’s health, mental health and as a mother of 3 has a keen interest in paediatrics. Dr Julia has undertaken further training in mental health, integrative medicine, and hormone health.

Wayne Christian
Indigenous Health Practitioner

With more than 20 years experience as an Indigenous Health Worker, Wayne’s expertise, knowledge, and experience was recognised in 2023 when he became an Indigenous Health Practitioner.

Wayne's position is not Indigenous specific, in fact it is way more diverse as only half of our clients identify as Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander or both. Wayne cares for non-Indigenous and multi-cultural people, as well as those people who identify as being LGBTQIA, or identify as having a disability, mental health issues or an alcohol or drug addiction.

Wayne’s provides support to the General Practitioners by way of triage, case management, planning, outreach, and wound care. While triaging Wayne is also providing health education in a subtle way.

As an Indigenous man, Wayne also provides cultural safety, cultural protocols, cultural awareness and advocacy for First Nation peoples.

"Since working with WOW I have had the privilege of caring for clients who are now more like friends. It has made me appreciate myself and all that I do for these individuals. I have learnt a lot from our clients especially when they are sharing their stories of how life got them to where they are now.

I love counting smiles, shaking hands and the occasional joke. It makes this job well worth doing especially when I see the person opposite me is trying hard and against all odds to make changes, no matter how small that might be. I am very grateful to be included as part of their life journey – walking beside them - as their trust and respect is real."

Lexy Carroll
Clinical Nurse

Lexy is a registered nurse with a special interest in primary Indigenous health care. Lexy loves exploring which has seen her work in places like the Torres Strait, Yarrabah, and Samoa.

Working at WOW and within the Cairns community feels like coming home, as Lexy grew up in the area. Lexy is keen to learn what services are available in the region and how we can better link people to those services that they need. For Lexy, it is “all about connecting the dots.”

When not at work Lexy can be found in her garden or visiting family in her hometown of Kuranda.

Sarah Vaggs
Clinical Nurse

Sarah has a background working in remote communities in Arnhem Land NT, WA and QLD. Sarah’s passion for nursing stems from a belief in the importance of equitable healthcare access and a desire to make a positive difference in people’s lives. Her compassionate nature has allowed her to form deep connections and learn invaluable lessons from the clients she has had the privilege to work with over the years.

Sarah has worked both in clinics and hospitals as a nurse, midwife, child-health nurse and in mental health nursing.

In her role at WoW, Sarah says she is overwhelmed by the courage displayed by the clients she encounters and admires their ability to persevere and maintain strength in challenging circumstances and hopes to work together with people along their health journey.

In the spirit of reconciliation, Wheels of Wellness acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as First Nations peoples of this Country, we acknowledge the elders past and present. We acknowledge and respect the importance of Indigenous cultures and traditions; we recognise and respect that First Nation peoples have a spiritual connection to land and sea. We recognise the importance of cultural and traditional knowledge and are committed to walking alongside our clients in their health and wellbeing journey.

We are committed to cultivating inclusive environments for our clients, and staff. We celebrate, value and include people of all backgrounds, genders, sexualities, cultures, bodies and abilities.

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