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Our Team
Our team is made up of experienced, compassionate professionals who are dedicated to providing high-quality, personalised care. Each of our doctors brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise, working together to support you at every stage of your journey. We understand that every patient is different, which is why we take the time to listen, answer your questions, and ensure you feel confident and comfortable in your care.
Dr Andrew Russell
MBBS | FRACS
RACS, ANZMOSS, GESQ, BreastSurg ANZ, AMA, GAS
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Dr Russell is a general surgeon at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton whose interests and experience lies in laparoscopic surgery. He obtained his medical qualifications at the University of Queensland Medical School. Dr Russell was previously appointed as Director of Surgery for QEII Hospital and a Senior Lecturer in Surgery at the University of Queensland Department of Surgery. Dr Russell holds a number of professional memberships including Royal Australian College of Surgeons and Australia & New Zealand Metabolic and Obesity Surgery Society.
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Dr Russell completed his post graduate surgical training at Princess Alexandra Hospital, after which he spent two years working in Basingstoke, England. He then went on to establish his own private practice in 1993 and is based full time in Rockhampton. Dr Russell prides himself on surgical excellence with compassion.
Dr Michael Lamparelli
MBBS | FRACS
RACS, ANZMOSS, GESQ, BreastSurg ANZ, AMA, GAS
Dr Michael Lamparelli has commenced private practice at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton. Michael is an experienced surgeon with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and health care industry who has a passion for providing high-quality care to his patients.
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He is the Director of Surgery at Rockhampton Hospital, where he aims to develop and expand the range of surgical services available in Central Queensland over the next five years.
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Michael completed his medical degree at the University of Southampton in the United Kingdom. He has been awarded a provisional membership of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australia and New Zealand (CSSANZ) and the academic title of Senior Lecturer by the University of Queensland. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).
In March 2020 he moved to Australia with his wife and settled in Central Queensland, where they are actively involved in the local community.
Dr Shashank Desai
MBBS, MS (Gen Surg), FRACS, FRCS (Edin, Glas)
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Dr Shashank Desai is a highly qualified and experienced breast surgeon with advanced training in oncoplastic breast surgery—a specialised field that integrates cancer removal with reconstructive techniques to achieve optimal oncological and cosmetic outcomes. He consults and operates at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton.
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Dr Desai earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Bombay, India, in 1984. He was awarded Fellowships from the Royal Colleges of Surgeons of Edinburgh and Glasgow in 1991 and later became a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2002.
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In addition to his expertise in oncoplastic breast surgery, Dr Desai has extensive experience in laparoscopic surgery, endocrine surgery, and general surgical procedures including gallstone disease, hernia repair, skin cancer treatment, and varicose vein surgery. He is also a skilled diagnostic and therapeutic gastrointestinal endoscopist, offering gastroscopy, colonoscopy, and complex polypectomy for cancer prevention.
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Dr Desai is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons and Breast Surgeons of Australia and New Zealand.
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As a Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland, Dr Desai is actively involved in teaching medical students and surgical trainees, as well as contributing to clinical research.
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He has been instrumental in establishing multidisciplinary models of care and introducing advanced technologies for breast cancer treatment across both public and private hospitals in South-East Queensland.
Dr Chris Lewis
MBChB, MD, FRCS(Ed), CCST, FRACS
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Dr Chris Lewis is an accomplished General Surgeon who consults and operates at Mater Private Hospital Rockhampton.
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He graduated from Manchester University Medical School in 1997 and completed postgraduate training across the UK, New Zealand, and Sydney.
In 2006, Dr Lewis earned a Doctorate in Postgraduate Medicine for his research into the molecular biology of oesophageal injury and went on to complete specialist surgical training in 2010.
Dr Lewis has held senior consultant positions in the northwest of England and spent nine years at the prestigious John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, affiliated with Oxford University. During this time, he established the regional severe pancreatitis service, led the abdominal wall hernia and reconstruction program, and played a pivotal role in elevating the Acute General Surgery department to national recognition.
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In 2023, Dr Lewis relocated to Australia and now leads the Benign Upper Gastrointestinal Service at Rockhampton Base Hospital, where he also serves as Clinical Director of Surgery. He performs a comprehensive range of abdominal wall reconstruction procedures and remains actively engaged in emergency surgical care.
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Recently, Dr Lewis was appointed as the International Surgical Ambassador for the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, a role committed to advancing surgical standards and education worldwide.
Dr Howard Joy
