Respiratory/Sleep Consultants

Honorary Associate Professor Jeffrey Garrett

MB ChB 1976 Otago; FRACP 1984

Hon.AProf. Jeffrey Garrett graduated from Otago University Medical School in 1976. He undertook his postgraduate study in both internal medicine and respiratory medicine in Auckland and London and has held a Clinical Associate Professorship since 2000. He was the Clinical Director of Medicine at Middlemore Hospital between 2001 and 2015 and was previously the Clinical Director of Respiratory Services at Green Lane Hospital from 1992-2000. He established Lung Transplantation at Green Lane Hospital in 1991 and the Auckland Regional Network for lung cancer in 2010. He sat on the New Zealand Advisory Committee for Lung Cancer and more recently the National Health Committee COPD Advisory Group in 2014.

He wrote the TSANZ Standards of Care published on the New Zealand Ministry of Health website in 2004 and published a review on NZ Respiratory Services in 2012. He has been an active researcher, predominantly in asthma, for more than 20 years with 70 publications in international journals. His current research interests are in COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis and lung cancer. He is currently involved in transforming electronic health care models in asthma and COPD into primary care and in utilising biomarkers to direct asthma and COPD care more accurately.

He also undertakes reviews for the Health and Disability Commissioner and has expertise in writing and presenting medicolegal reports. He led the introduction of Advance Care Planning into Middlemore Hospital in 2008 and maintains an active involvement in the area. He has maintained a small private practice since 1988 and joined the NZSRI group in 2010.

Dr. Mark O'Carroll

MB ChB 1995 Auckland; FRACP 2003

Dr. Mark O’Carroll graduated from Auckland Medical School in 1996 and undertook his initial training in Respiratory and Sleep Medicine at Green Lane Hospital before working as the Cystic Fibrosis Fellow at the Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane, Australia.

He now works as a Respiratory Physician at Auckland City Hospital and the Green Lane Clinical Centre as a general Respiratory Physician with a special interest in Cystic Fibrosis, Lung Transplantation, airway disease (particularly Bronchiectasis), Tuberculosis and Interventional Bronchoscopy.

He is proficient at bronchoscopy including intervention and use of endobronchial ultrasound. He has an interest in medical education and has been the Director of Physician Education at Auckland City Hospital since 2003 and a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians Specialist Advisory Committee in Sleep and Respiratory Medicine since 2004.

Dr. Conor O'Dochartaigh

MB BCh, MD, FRCP(Lon), FRACP

Dr. Conor O'Dochartaigh has a wide range of experience in Respiratory & Sleep Medicine. He works both in Private Practice at NZRSI and at Middlemore Hospital (since 2006) where he has been Clinical lead for Sleep Medicine, Clinical Head of the Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Department, and is currently Clinical Director of the Respiratory Function Laboratory. Conor is involved in medical student education through the University of Auckland and training of Respiratory Specialists through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. He has a research background in pulmonary physiology including cardiopulmonary interactions.

Conor has a focus on providing high quality patient-centred care. His clinical areas of interest include Sleep Apnoea and related sleep disorders, Interstitial lung disease, investigation and management of unexplained shortness of breath and atypical respiratory symptoms. Conor deals with the full range of Respiratory conditions including chronic cough, asthma, COPD, Bronchiectasis, lung cancer as well as investigation of chest x-ray abnormalities, diagnosis and exclusion of TB and Immigration medical reports. He carries out diagnostic bronchoscopy at Greenlane Medical Specialists.

Dr. Stuart Jones

MBChB (Otago 1995), PhD (Otago 2003), FRACP (2007)

Dr. Stuart Jones originates from the Far North, however headed to the far south attending Otago Medical School from which he graduated in 1995. He spent his initial post-graduate years working at Dunedin Hospital before taking up a post as respiratory research fellow at the Dunedin School of Medicine. In 2003 he graduated with a PhD from Otago University with a thesis entitled: Exhaled nitric oxide and the clinical control of airway inflammation.

He commenced his respiratory specialist training in Dunedin before heading to the UK for a further 3 years of training. During his time in the UK he was based in Cambridge where he worked at the local university hospital (Addenbrookes) and at Papworth Hospital, a specialist cardio-respiratory unit. While at Papworth he trained in pulmonary hypertension and sleep medicine. He then went to Edinburgh where he worked as a sleep fellow at the Royal Infirmary.

He is currently employed as a respiratory and general physician at Middlemore Hospital. He specialises in general respiratory medicine, with a particular interest in sleep medicine, asthma and airway inflammation, and pulmonary hypertension.

Dr. Andrew Veale

MB ChB 1979 Otago; FRACP 1986

Dr. Andy Veale graduated from Otago University Medical School in 1979, having first completed a BSc in Biochemistry and Microbiology. He undertook his basic medical training in Auckland before undertaking advanced training in Internal Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine. Further specialised training in Interventional bronchoscopy, thoracoscopy and Pulmonary Physiology followed.

He was involved (with others) in establishing the first Polysomnography Sleep Laboratory at Greenlane Hospital 20 years ago. He established the first private Sleep Laboratory and Pulmonary Physiology in NZ at Mercy Hospital. Due to increased growth, and the increase in public contracting, the NZ Respiratory & Sleep Institute was opened in a purpose designed facility in Greenlane.

He has had a longstanding interest in physiology which married well with an interest in Diving & Hyperbaric Medicine. He has been able to further this with a period in the RNZVR as Surgeon Lieutenant Commander (now retired) and remains a consultant to the RNZN. He holds the Diploma in Diving & Hyperbaric Medicine.

Dr Veale consults part time at Middlemore Hospital and oversees the running of the Institute. He is no longer accepting new referrals.

Dr. Paul Dawkins

MB ChB 1993 Bristol; MRCP (UK) 1996; CCT (UK) Resp Med and Gen (Int) Med 2006; FRCP 2012; FRACP 2014

Paul Dawkins has been working as a Consultant Respiratory Physician at Middlemore Hospital since October 2013. At Middlemore he has responsibility for inpatients in respiratory and general medicine, as well as respiratory and sleep outpatient clinics. He performs bronchoscopies (including endobronchial ultrasound). He is Clinical Lead for lung cancer and chairs the Northern region lung cancer stream. He was previously in consultant posts in respiratory medicine at University Hospital Birmingham and then Royal Wolverhampton Hospital in the UK, where he was Clinical Director for Respiratory Medicine.

On the academic side, he is principal and co-investigator for a number of commercial clinical trials at the hospital in respiratory medicine. He regularly teaches medical students and has set up simulated medical emergency scenarios using high fidelity manikins. He is an RACP educational supervisor for registrars. He is an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Medicine at University of Auckland.

He read undergraduate medicine at the University of Bristol (UK), including an intercalated first class honours degree in Microbiology. He has an MD higher research degree from the University of Bristol (UK) from research work on the development of genetic models for alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency carried out at Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston (USA). He has a Masters in Medical Education from University of Warwick (UK). He has Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of London (FRCP[UK]) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP). He has a number of published original articles, reviews and book chapters, and has delivered several presentations at international meetings.

He welcomes referrals in any area of respiratory medicine including sleep disordered breathing. He has access to full lung function, sleep investigation laboratories and bronchoscopy facilities. He aims to provide a responsive, efficient and high quality respiratory opinion for our local GPs. He sees patients every Friday afternoon including a monthly clinic at Pukekohe Family Health Care.

Dr. Syed Hussain

MB BS 1990 Dhaka; FRACP 2009

Dr. Syed Hussain graduated from Dhaka Medical College, Bangladesh in 1990. After moving to New Zealand he undertook his basic medical training in Auckland Region before undertaking advanced training in General Medicine, Respiratory Medicine and Sleep Medicine.

He worked as a general and respiratory physician at ADHB until December 2015 when he moved fulltime to the respiratory department. He is the clinical lead for the sleep and ventilatory service at ADHB. He has been involved in developing the Auckland regional COPD pathway for primary care and integrated management plan for frequent presenters to hospital with COPD and bronchiectasis. He is also affiliated with the University of Auckland as an honorary senior lecturer. He has special interest in sleep, airways disease, chronic cough, lung cancer, investigation of chest x-ray abnormalities and Immigration medical reports.

Dr. Jacob Twiss - Paediatric Respiratory Physician

MB ChB 1995 Auckland; FRACP 2004

Jacob Twiss is recognised by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) as a Specialist in both Respiratory and Sleep Medicine for children and young people. His roles in public (Starship since 2005) and private (NZRSI since 2012) practice give him broad experience in children’s respiratory and sleep health ranging from relatively mild but troublesome symptoms to severe life limiting disease. He is also able to draw on his own experiences as parent and patient.

Jacob strives to establish a partnership model of care with parents and young people, involving them in informed decision making regarding investigation and treatment. Symptoms are common in young children sometimes making it a challenge to distinguish the bothersome from worrisome underlying disease. His goals focus on reducing symptoms, uncovering causes and minimising risk, all whilst avoiding unnecessary invasive tests and treatment where possible. Sometimes a careful watch and wait approach is best.

After graduating from Auckland Medical School, Jacob trained as a Paediatrician, Respiratory and Sleep Specialist in NZ and Australia achieving accreditation by the Royal Australasian College of Physicians in 2004, 2005 and 2007 respectively. He trained in flexible bronchoscopy in NZ and the US. Along the way he has also worked as a General Paediatrician, Emergency Department Physician, and Adolescent Health Consultant. He spent his 2018 sabbatical visiting paediatric long term ventilation programmes in Queensland, Colorado and London. Jacob has co-authored many national and international clinical guidelines and trained as Sleep Laboratory Accreditor for the National Association of Testing Authorities.

Whilst his focus has been on clinical practice he has also engaged in research, teaching and leadership roles. He completed a PhD in childhood bronchiectasis (severe chronic lung infection) with the University of Auckland in 2010. Other roles have included Lead Clinician and Laboratory Clinical Director of the Starship Respiratory Service, Honorary Senior Lecturer at University of Auckland, Australasian Sleep Association Paediatric and Clinical Committees (co-chair & member), NZ Paediatric Sleep Clinical Network, Starship Chief Resident, Starship Clinical Board, Resuscitation and Medication Safety Committees, RACP Trainees Committee (chair) and NZ Resident Doctors Association (Auckland President).

Qualifications: MbChb, RACP, PhD, BHB, DCH

Dr. Liz Edwards - Paediatric Respiratory Physician

MB ChB 1989 Leeds; DCH 1995 Otago; FRACP 2000

Liz commenced private practice at NZRSI in November 2023 having worked as a Paediatric Respiratory and Sleep Medicine Specialist at Starship Children’s Health since 2003. She was born in Liverpool, England and graduated from Leeds Medical School before moving to New Zealand in 1993. She completed her general paediatric training in Hamilton and Christchurch and moved to Starship Children’s
Health Auckland in 1997 to undertake advanced training in paediatric respiratory medicine. She then undertook overseas training fellowships at The Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children and The Royal Brompton Hospital London.

Alongside her clinical job she has held several leadership roles, engaged in research and teaching. For a number of years she also undertook voluntary annual clinics to Samoa. Liz has co-authored many national and international clinical guidelines. Much of her research has involved under-recognised and neglected health issues in New Zealand children. She completed a PhD in childhood bronchiectasis in 2004 and continues to advocate for an appropriate level of paediatric sleep medicine services for New Zealand children particularly for those requiring respiratory support. Her previous other leadership roles have included Laboratory Clinical Director of the Starship Respiratory Service, Honorary Senior Lecturer at University of Auckland, Chair of the NZ Paediatric Sleep Clinical Network Group, Representation on the Starship M & M Committee, and Paediatric Representative on NZ SAC Committee.

Qualifications:
MB ChB 1989 Leeds University, England; DCH 1995 Otago University New Zealand; FRACP Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (Paediatrics) 2000; Accredited in Thoracic Medicine - The RACP (Paediatrics) 2003; Accredited in Paediatric Sleep Medicine (Level 1) – The RACP (Paediatrics) 2003; PhD in Paediatrics 2004 Auckland University, New Zealand.

Dr. Tanya McWilliams

MB ChB 1992 Auckland; FRACP 2000

Dr Tanya McWilliams is a Respiratory Physician at Auckland City Hospital, New Zealand. She is a specialist in Respiratory medicine and Lung Transplant and a national expert in the medical and surgical management of Pulmonary Hypertension.

Tanya graduated from Auckland Medical School in 1992 and completed her FRACP in Respiratory Medicine in 2000. She undertook a fellowship at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne (in lung transplant) in 2003 and then joined the team at Green Lane and Auckland City Hospitals as a Respiratory and Lung Transplant Physician. In 2008, she was awarded a PhD through Monash University.

She has an active interest in respiratory medicine and is a specialist in pulmonary hypertension; lung transplant and end stage lung disease and is experienced at bronchoscopy including intervention and use of endobronchial ultrasound.

Dr. Sasiharan Sithamparanathan

BM BS (Hons) 2007 Nottm; MRCP (UK) 2010; CCT (UK) Gen (Int) Med & Respiratory Med 2018; FRACP 2021 - Internal medicine

Dr Sasiharan Sithamparanathan is a respiratory physician at Auckland City Hospital who specialises in pulmonary hypertension, lung transplantation, tuberculosis and advanced lung diseases.

Sasi graduated from Nottingham Medical School (United Kingdom) in 2007. He completed his specialist training (UK) in both respiratory and general medicine in 2018. Concurrently, Sasi obtained additional clinical and research training in both pulmonary hypertension and advanced lung diseases for three years at the Freeman Hospital's pioneering Institute of Transplantation (Newcastle, UK) and was awarded an MD in research from Newcastle University (2018). He subsequently undertook two further fellowships, the first in interstitial lung diseases at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford, UK and then a fellowship in lung transplantation and advanced lung diseases at St Vincent’s Hospital, Sydney, Australia.

Dr. Sonia Cherian

MB BS 2010 Adelaide; FRACP 2018 - Internal medicine

Dr Sonia Cherian’s primary interests are in pleural disease, lung cancer and sleep medicine. She started the pleural clinic at Auckland City Hospital. She is also currently developing novel sleep pathways within the sleep service.

Dr Sonia Cherian is a graduate of the University of Adelaide Medical School. She completed her internship and basic physician training at the Royal Adelaide Hospital and moved to Auckland where she completed her advanced respiratory training.

She undertook her sleep fellowship at Wellington City Hospital. Following this, she completed a pleural and lung cancer fellowship at Glenfield Hospital, Leicester, UK. She held a consultant post at University College London Hospital (UCLH) before returning to Auckland City Hospital as a full-time Respiratory and Sleep Physician.

She will predominately be accepting referrals for sleep medicine at NZRSI.

Dr. Rob Lewis

MB ChB 2010 Sheff; MRCP (UK) 2015; CCT (UK) Gen (Int) Med & Respiratory Med 2022; FRACP 2023 - Internal medicine

Dr Rob Lewis, MBChB MD MRCP (UK) (Resp Med) FRACP, graduated from the University of Sheffield Medical School In 2010. After completing junior doctor training in the UK, he worked in Auckland, before returning to the UK to complete his specialist training.

During his training he completed a clinical fellowship and was awarded a doctorate through his research at the Sheffield Pulmonary Vascular Disease Unit, which is recognised as one of the largest pulmonary hypertension referral centres in the world. He has a number of first author, academic publications, many of which have been cited in international guidelines for the management of pulmonary hypertension. He continues research through the University of Sheffield, and is also an honorary senior lecturer at the University of Auckland.

Rob specialises in pulmonary hypertension and pulmonary vascular disease, pleural disease, interstitial lung disease and general respiratory medicine. He is experienced at bronchoscopy, endobronchial ultrasound and all pleural procedures.

Rob works as a respiratory physician at Middlemore Hospital, Counties Manukau. Rob has been back in Auckland since 2022 and lives on the North Shore with his wife and two children. .

Dr. Cameron Sullivan

MB BS 2009 Imperial College London; FRACP 2019 - Internal medicine

Cameron is a Respiratory Physician and Interventional Pulmonologist at Middlemore Hospital. He graduated from Imperial College School of Medicine in 2009 (MBBS/BSC) and completed his early post-graduate training in London, before moving to New Zealand, the land of his father.

After finishing Respiratory Specialty training in Auckland (FRACP), he completed a Fellowship in Interventional Pulmonology at Macquarie University Hospital in Sydney and lectured at Macquarie University. Cameron is interested in diagnostic and therapeutic procedures for lung cancer and chronic lung disease, and is an established member of the regional lung cancer multidisciplinary team.