Nurse Practitioner and Health Services
Meet The Team
Dianne Thornton
Nurse Practitioner
Di Thornton has been nursing since 1973 in many varying nursing roles and countries. Di has found a renewed passion for hands on nursing care as a Nurse Practitioner (NP). Di completed her Masters of NP – Rural & Remote through the University of Queensland in 2012, and was endorsed soon after. Di piloted a NP role in General Practice and including Aged Care for CHSA, between August 2012 and June 2013 with very positive evaluations. Di continued to work in this role - employed by Loxton Medical Practice in Pinnaroo, up until December 2015. Di has now opened her own NP Practice & Health Centre, and is looking forward to the growth of her new business with a variety of other Health practitioners.
Dr Peter Hamilton
General Practitioner
Peter will be providing a visiting service from Loxton. Graduated from the University of Adelaide in 1984. He worked and studied in the Adelaide teaching hospital system for 5 years with a focus on anaesthetics and psychiatry. He completed the Diploma of Obstetrics in 1986. From 1988 to 1991 worked for the Lutheran Church in Papua New Guinea, largely on the island of Karkar. This was a busy but highly rewarding assignment during which Peter learnt much, especially in the areas of surgery and obstetrics (being responsible for the delivery of over a thousand babies in 3 years). Peter completed his College of GP training (at that time called “The Family Medicine Program”) and, after a number of locum jobs around the state, moved to Loxton “for a couple of years”. 22 years later he has no regrets and still very much enjoys being part of this special community. Peter is married to Bronnie and has 2 adult children. Enjoys running, swimming, cycling, tennis, golf, camping, bushwalking etc.!! Special Medical Interests: Obstetrics, Psychiatry, minor surgery, family practice
Sophie Hamilton
General Practitioner
Sophie is a rural GP based in her home town of Loxton. She completed her postgraduate medical degree in Canberra after attempts to become an actress failed spectacularly. She likes to think she is better at medicine and enjoys the rewards of providing care to her rural patients and community. If you are unlucky, you can still spot her performing around the Riverland, sometimes accompanied by her old man. Sophie has a particular interest in dermatology and the management of skin conditions including acne, eczema and psoriasis.
Sharlene Milich
Nurse Practitioner
My role as a Nurse Practitioner includes a variety of challenges and rewards each day. The most rewarding aspect for me as a Nurse Practitioner is the ability to provide a holistic approach. I love every aspect of being a Nurse Practitioner and feel that I am finally working to my full potential as a nurse. Assessment, diagnosis, prescribing medications, referrals for imaging, blood tests and collaborating with specialists, education, counselling and support are just a few roles in a regular day. Focusing on you as a whole person while treating specific health problems in the context of family, work and other commitments is my goal.
Katharine Daniel
Physiotherapist
Katharine has been a physiotherapist for 20 years, mostly working in rural areas, and lives locally at Panitya. Katharine has had extensive clinical experience in managing sports injuries, musculoskeletal conditions and rehabilitation and she has also worked in paediatrics and women’s health. Katharine has also done training in acupuncture and dry needling. Katharine is especially interested in helping clients to understand their injuries and bodies as a whole with a view to understanding and taking control of their own health and well-being.
Lauren Deaves
social worker
My name is Lauren Deaves and I'm a qualified and experienced social worker. I completed a Bachelor of Social Work at Charles Darwin University in 2021 while working in the sector full time. I have experience in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, Strengths Based Practice, Narrative Therapy, Family Interventions, and group programs using a holistic lens.
I am currently working towards gaining my Mental Health Social Work status through AASW. For the past 10 years I have undertaken roles working in specialised schools with complex young people in South Australia such as FAME Flexible Learning Centre, SASY Specialised Assistance School for Youth and at Junction Australia as a mentor for youth under the Guardianship of the Minister. I was a case manager in the FLO program at Campbell Page and ran camps for Indigenous youth in South Australia. Currently I work in Victoria as a Mental Health Practitioner at a Regional P-12 School.
DEAVES SOCIAL WORK has been created to support the rest of the community with their complex needs. I can accept NDIS Social Work clients with a plan, referrals for people that need one-on-one support with mental health diagnoses such as depression, anxiety, bipolar, borderline personality disorder or trauma and developmental disorders. I can also support clients with grief or family complexities. Additionally, I am a qualified personal trainer so can incorporate these interventions in what I do.
Caroline Bunce
podiatrist
Caroline completed her Bachelor of Podiatry in 2013. She can help prevent, diagnose and treat a wide range of foot conditions such as foot pain, biomechanical presentations and orthotics, the diabetic foot and paediatrics (children's feet). She has a variety of experience in high risk wound clinics in public hospitals, Aboriginal Health and private practice in metro and rural areas.
Daniel Evans
podiatrist
Daniel graduated with a Bachelor of Podiatry in 2021 from the University of South Australia. He works part-time as a Podiatrist with SA Health at the Lyell McEwin Hospital. He has an interest in all podiatric interventions including: biomechanics, diabetic foot care, paediatrics and routine care. He also has a keen interest and skill in performing ingrown toenail surgeries and providing wound care.
Kerri Wilson
Speech Pathologist
Kerri is a Speech Pathologist with over 10 years of experience. This experience has been gained predominantly working in the public education setting in rural South Australia, most of these in the Riverland. Kerri lives locally in Pinnaroo and is a mother of 2 young children and understands the challenges of juggling all that life can throw at you! Kerri has a strong professional interest, passion and experience in providing support to children and their families living with and embracing neurodiversity. Kerri enjoys working with children and empowering families to support speech, oral language and literacy based development; working alongside all stakeholders to ensure the best outcome for the child and their family. Kerri can offer services to clients aged 0 – 18 years.
Aoibheann Schroeder
Practice Nurse
Theresa Gum
Practice Nurse
Born in Lameroo and has nursed ever since leaving school. Was an enrolled nurse until her early 50s and then went to university in Renmark and became a registered nurse. Mother of 4 and grandmother of 12 beauties.
Janelle Hyde
Practice Manager
Jill Beer
Receptionist
Karalee Handreck
Receptionist
Born in Murrayville, Have lived in the Mallee for most of my life. Happily married to a farmer, mother of 2 beautiful children Brax and Zoe. When not in the office as an receptionist at MBHC you will find me on the road as a quarantine inspector at the border getting my vitamin D.
Morrison Polkinghorne
Receptionist
Morrison has relocated back to Australia from Cambodia where he lived for almost a decade. There he set-up and ran a boutique hotel and has had numerous art exhibitions around the world. Morrison lives with his partner in The Last church in Murrayville.
Kasey Berlin
Receptionist
