About Us

Dr John Treacy M.B.,B.S., M.D., F.R.A.C.S.

Weight Loss and Metabolic Surgeon

graduated from Adelaide University 1984, completed surgical training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1993 and was awarded a Doctorate in Medicine with Adelaide University in 1994, researching stomach physiology and emptying.

He undertook three years post-fellowship training in upper gastro-intestinal surgery at the Royal Adelaide Hospital (1994) and the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield, U.K (1995 to 1996).

During his time in Britain he was involved in surgery and evaluation of gastric bands for the National Health Service of the United Kingdom, which subsequently led to the introduction of gastric banding there.

He moved to Darwin in 1997 and has been undertaking weight loss surgery at the Darwin Private Hospital since.

 

Dr Phil Toonson MBBS FRACS

Weight Loss  and Metabolic Surgeon

Is a General Surgeon with interests in weight loss surgery, as well as surgery of the liver, bile ducts and pancreas.

He graduated with Honours from the University of Tasmania in 2005 and completed his surgical training with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons  at both Hobart and Melbourne in 2013. He then undertook 2 years of post-fellowship training in Liver, Biliary and Pancreatic Surgery at Singapore and Adelaide.

He commenced surgical practice in Darwin in 2016. He is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons Academy of Surgical Educators.

Dr Doug Hardcastle

Bariatric Medical Practitioner

Dr Doug Hardcastle BA Med, FRACGP, Dip Sports Medicine, DRANZCOG is a General Practitioner with an interest in Sports Medicine, exercise and management of obesity, including gastric banding. He runs a gastric band adjustment clinic at the Darwin Private Hospital.

Dr Sara Toonson

Dr Sara Toonson is a Specialist GP and a member of the Australasian Society of Lifestyle Medicine. She is also certified by the World Obesity Federation in obesity management. Sara provides evidence-based medical care before and after bariatric surgery and works on an individual level with patients towards reversing the impact of many chronic diseases.”

Dr Elio Gagliardo

General Physician

Dr Elio Gagliardo FRACP is a General Physician with a special interest in the Metabolic Syndrome and Diabetes, as well as interests in Cardiology, Arrhythmology and Rheumatology.

He works as a senior consultant in General Medicine at Royal Darwin Hospital, where he is also responsible for the acute medical clinic. He also provides comprehensive care through the NT Medical Specialist consulting suites, and inpatient consultations at Darwin Private Hospital.

Dr Gagliardo completed his medical degree in 1982 at the Sapienza university of Rome Italy and his specialist training in Internal Medicine and Cardiology in 1987 at the Sapienza University of Rome. Since 2008 he has had the Fellowship of Royal Australian physician college (FRACP).

 

 

Dr Helge Suhr M.D., DEAA, FANZCA

Anaesthetist 

Dr Suhr is a Specialist Anaesthetist working in Darwin since 2005 in public and private practice. He has been involved the Darwin Obesity Centre since 2016.
He also has an ongoing involvement in Retrieval Medicine working for CareFlight, Northern Operations.

He graduated from the Medical school of the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 1991. 3 years of research in Virology led to a Doctorate in Virology with the university of Heidelberg.

Specialist training in Anaesthesia, Intensive Care Medicine and Retrieval Medicine in the UK for 2 years and another 5 years in Germany. Relocation to Australia in 2001 working in Melbourne in Intensive Care Medicine, Hyperbaric Medicine and Anaesthesia. 

 

 

Dr John Walker
Anaesthetist

Dr John Walker MB ChB FANZCA is a Specialist Anaesthetist at Darwin Private Hospital. After medical school in NZ and specialist training in the UK and Australia, he worked in the USA for 3 years in the 1980s. After that he went back to NZ for 20 years in big city public and private practice. Since 2006 he has worked all over Australia, mostly in smaller towns which he prefers. He also worked for the RFDS for 6 months after that, before ending up in lockdown in Melbourne for a few months, The NT came to the rescue and he has been in Darwin for one year, after coming to help with the staff shortages during covid.

He has a broad experience in anaesthesia for people living with obesity, as well as keen interest in the causes and explanations for the current increase worldwide including current treatment options. He has also had 6 major abdominal surgeries over the years (though not for weight loss). One of these involved severe pain afterwards - so he is very empathetic about post operative pain or any other concerns you may have about anaesthesia, including nausea, generalised anxiety or any specific phobias such as needles for example.

 

Naomi  Ralph
Dietitian

Naomi is an accredited practising dietitian who owns and practices at Body in Balance Dietetics. She completed her Bachelor of Nutrition and Dietetics (Honours) at Monash University and has since worked in hospitals and private practice with adults and children of all ages.

Naomi’s professional interests include chronic disease management, bariatric surgery, paediatric nutrition and gastrointestinal conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome. She has also been awarded scholarships to support her education and specialise  in the area of paediatric nutrition. 

Naomi is a Darwin local who has recently returned to the Top End after living in North-West Tasmania. She is also a qualified yoga instructor and keen = cook. For all enquiries visit https://www.bodyinbalancedietetics.com/ or email hello@bodyinbalancedietetics.com/

Paul Twomey
Dietitian

Paul is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian who practices at the Balance Diet Centre, in Palmerston. He possesses qualifications from Deakin University, including a Master in Dietetics and a Bachelor in Food and Nutrition (majoring in exercise science) as well as previously completing Certificate III and IV in Fitness. Paul in a Darwin local returning to the Northern Territory after studying in Melbourne.

Paul pursued a career in dietetics due to the enjoyment he receives from promoting and assisting others to live a healthy, productive and fulfilling life through sensible nutritional advice, skills, development and empowerment. His passion lies in the nutritional management of chronic diseases such as diabetes and cardiovascular disease, sports nutrition, men’s health and weight loss.  Enquiries enquiries@balancepodiatry.com.au Website www.balancediet.com.au

 

 

Caring Matters

Cheryl Blakey. BPsych (Hons)
Psychologist

Northern Territory University. Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society. Cheryl is a Registered Psychologist who is interested and has experience in utilizing evidence-based interventions in the treatment of adults and adolescents with a range of issues such as anxiety and affective disorders, stress-related issues, eating disorders, and adjustment disorders when undergoing life transitions.

 

Kia Naylor
Exercise Physiologist

Kia is the Director of BodyFit NT and Accreditated Exercise Physiologist with Australian Association of Exercise and Sports Science (AAESS). She studied at the University of South Australia in Human Movement (Exercise and Sport Science), and specialises in weight loss as well as helping all patients with chronic illness's with exercise. She has a clinical and passionate interest in exercise and what it can do for patients with cancer pre, post and during treatment.

For any all questions and enquiry's please contact her at bodyfitnt@bigpond.com or 0412 555 754.

 

Katrina and Ashmita
Reception Staff

Katrina is the Practice Manager and Ashmita is Receptionist for the Darwin Obesity Surgery Centre, and are the first point of call. They can answer most queries you may have, including financial questions, will arrange necessary appointments, or will direct you to other practitioners affiliated with the Centre.