OUR TEAM
High-Quality Healthcare You Can Trust
Our practice is led by talented and experienced practitioners committed to sustaining a high-performing healthcare system responsive to the needs of the community Thornlands Doctors serve.
Dr Amar Altabary
General Practitioner, Male, MBBS, FRACGP
General Practitioner
Dr Amar Altabary is a seasoned General Practitioner based in Torquay, known for his extensive expertise across all areas of general practice. He graduated with an MBBS from the University of Basrah, Iraq, in 2003 and has since built a diverse career that spans international experience and local practice. After gaining valuable insight overseas for seven years and later working with Western Health Australia for three years, he obtained his AMC Certificate in 2015 and became a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP).
Now an integral part of The Quay Family Healthcare team, Dr Amar has a special interest in dermatology. He is multilingual, speaking both English and Arabic, which allows him to connect with a broad range of patients in a warm and professional manner. When he isn’t busy practising medicine, he enjoys reading and spending quality time with his family and friends. Dr Amar truly values the supportive, collaborative environment at The Quay Family Healthcare, where teamwork, a fantastic location, and wonderful patients make every day rewarding.
Dr Sangeetha Ambati
General Practitioner, Female, MBBS, FRACGP
General Practitioner
Meet Dr Sangeetha Ambati – a warm, dedicated General Practitioner based right here in Torquay. Dr Ambati embarked on her medical journey by earning her MBBS from the Kamineni Institute of Medical Sciences in 2005 and went on to secure her AMC Certificate in 2010. Her passion for comprehensive, patient-centred care has earned her a Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a testament to her expertise and commitment.
What truly makes Dr Ambati stand out is her knack for connecting with people. Fluent in English, Hindi, and Telugu, she brings a personal touch to every consultation, ensuring each patient feels understood and cared for. Whether you’re seeking expert advice or simply a friendly ear, Dr Ambati is here to support you on your health journey. We’re absolutely thrilled to have her as part of our team.
Dr Zina Al-Baghdadi
General Practitioner, Female, MBBS, RANZCOG
General Practitioner
Meet Dr Zina Al-Baghdadi – a compassionate General Practitioner with a special passion for women’s health. Dr Zina earned her MBChB from Al-Mustansiriyah University in Baghdad in 2002 and built a wealth of international experience, including seven years overseas with four spent in Amman, Jordan.
In 2010, she relocated to Australia with her family and worked with Barwon Health for over four years, gaining exposure to a diverse range of medical and surgical cases. In 2022, she furthered her expertise by obtaining her diploma in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from RANZCOG.
Dr Zina’s interests span a broad spectrum of general practice – from women’s health services such as cervical screening tests, IUD removals, and implanon procedures, to antenatal care, general medicine, travel medicine, mental health, and chronic disease management. Her holistic approach ensures each patient receives personalised, comprehensive care.
When she’s not in the clinic, Dr Zina loves curling up with a good book and spending quality time with her children. We’re delighted to have her on our team, where her warmth and dedication make a real difference every day.
Dr Shaneet Chand
General Practitioner, Male, MBBS
General Practitioner
Meet Dr Shaneet Chand – a dedicated General Practitioner with a rich background in medicine and a passion for delivering personalised care. Dr Chand completed his MBBS at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences at Fiji National University, where he developed a strong foundation in Medicine. After gaining valuable general practice experience in Fiji, he successfully transitioned to the Australian healthcare system, demonstrating his commitment by completing the Australian Medical Council board exams.
In Queensland, Dr Chand refined his clinical skills working under some of the best consultants at Bundaberg Base Hospital, an experience that has shaped his comprehensive approach to patient care. With his general registration from AHPRA in hand, he is now actively immersed in General Practice while studying towards his fellowship.
Skilled in Medical Education, Paediatrics, Emergency Medicine, and overall healthcare, Dr Chand combines his extensive experience with an approachable, engaging manner. He’s dedicated to ensuring every patient receives thoughtful, high-quality care, and is excited to continue his journey of learning and professional growth.
Dr Zaid Qaseer
General Practitioner
Meet Dr Zaid Qaseer – a dedicated General Practitioner who brings a wealth of experience and a personal touch to every consultation. Dr Qaseer graduated from medical school in 2010 and began his practice in Australia in 2019. With over four years of hospital experience and ongoing shifts in local emergency departments, he consistently demonstrates his commitment to community health.
Fluent in both English and Arabic, Dr Qaseer is passionate about all aspects of family medicine. He embraces a broad range of care, from dermatology and preventive medicine to men’s health, paediatric surgery, women’s health, emergency medicine and various general procedures. His special interests include managing chronic diseases, providing comprehensive health assessments, supporting child and adolescent, as well as geriatric health, offering travel advice, addressing mental health, managing heart disease, and delivering shared antenatal care.
With his warm, approachable demeanour and dedication to personalised care, Dr Qaseer is a trusted partner on your health journey. He’s excited to continue making a positive impact in our community, ensuring every patient feels supported and well cared for.
Dr Hadeer Qaseer
General Practitioner
Meet Dr Hadeer Qaseer – a warm and dedicated General Practitioner whose journey from Iraq to Australia is as inspiring as it is impressive. Graduating with honours in 2016, Dr Hadeer moved to Australia in 2018 and has since honed her skills at the Western District Health Service. Over the past four years, she has worked across medical, surgical, and emergency departments, gaining exposure to a diverse range of clinical cases, including obstetrics and paediatrics.
Dr Hadeer’s special interests in general practice include:
- Women’s health – pregnancy care, sexual health, cervical screening, and contraception
- Child health – newborn checks, immunisations, developmental assessments, and childhood asthma management
- Dermatology and cosmetic medicine
- Minor procedures – incision and drainage, wound care, suturing, ear syringing, skin tag removal, and cryotherapy
- Preventative health checks for all age groups
- Travel vaccinations and advice
- Weight loss management
- Chronic disease management, particularly diabetes and hypertension
- Mental health
Fluent in both Arabic and English, Dr Hadeer is passionate about connecting with her patients from all walks of life. Having come from a landlocked country, she has fallen in love with Australia’s beautiful beaches – a testament to her embracing the vibrant local lifestyle. With her blend of expertise, compassion, and genuine care, Dr Hadeer Qaseer is committed to supporting your health journey every step of the way.
Dr Syma Iqbal
General Practitioner
Meet Dr Syma Iqbal – a passionate and dedicated General Practitioner with a wealth of experience spanning emergency medicine, intensive care, and general surgery. Dr Syma began her journey by completing her Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery in Pakistan, and since moving to Australia in 2009, she’s been making a real difference in patients’ lives, working across both rural and metropolitan hospitals.
Over the past 13 years, Dr Syma has worked at prestigious institutions including Latrobe Regional Hospital, Western Health, Barwon Health, and Epworth Geelong. Her extensive experience in emergency and surgical care is complemented by a postgraduate diploma in Surgical Anatomy from the University of Melbourne, which she completed in 2016. She’s also an accomplished educator, having taught both undergraduate and postgraduate medical students at the University of Melbourne and Monash University.
Always striving to expand her expertise, Dr Syma earned an Advanced Certificate in Skin Cancer in 2021 and is currently pursuing an Advanced Diploma in Skin Cancers. She’s also enrolled in a Diploma of Child Health with the University of Sydney and Westmead Hospital. Fluent in multiple languages and enriched by her multicultural background, she takes a holistic approach to health that embraces both physical and mental well-being.
Now embarking on her new journey in General Practice, Dr Syma is excited to explore fresh endeavours in family medicine, general medicine, and women and child health. With her warm demeanour, commitment to best practice techniques, and eagerness to embrace new challenges, she is ready to make a lasting impact on the community.
Dr Samantha Pipkorn
General Practitioner
We’re excited to welcome Symantha Pipkorn to our team. With a decade of experience in the primary healthcare sector, Symantha understands the importance of delivering high-quality care to our local community. Passionate about health education and preventing hospital admissions, she chose to work in community health to make a real difference in patients’ lives.
As a practice nurse who thrives on professional growth, Symantha has furthered her qualifications to become a Credentialled Diabetes Educator. She is dedicated to empowering individuals to manage their diabetes effectively, providing them with the knowledge and tools needed for better health outcomes.
Symantha takes great pride in building strong relationships with her patients and offering compassionate, patient-centred care. Committed to ongoing learning and professional development, she ensures that she delivers the best possible support to those in need.
Outside of work, she enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
Bridgett Bailey
Practice Manager
Meet Bridgitt Bailey, our dedicated Practice Manager with seven years of experience in healthcare. Bridgitt thrives in a dynamic, diverse environment, where she enjoys working with a wide range of people every day, continually learning, and fostering a supportive workplace culture.
Holding a Business Certificate II, she prides herself on her outstanding communication skills and effective leadership. While she takes her managerial role seriously, Bridgitt also believes in creating a fun, positive space where both staff and patients feel truly valued.
Outside of work, she embraces an active lifestyle – from playing netball on the weekends and hitting the gym, to soaking up the coastal vibe that brought her from Bendigo to Geelong. And as a proud pug parent to two adorable companions, she knows a thing or two about the joys of snuggles and downtime.
