Dr Michael Donohue
General Practitioner, Practice Partner
Dr Michael Donohue is one of Yeppoon’s longest standing general practitioners, graduating from the University of Queensland in 1978, and joining the Yeppoon Family Practice as a Practice Partner in 1986. Dr Donohue has a particular focus on ageing patients, geriatrics, men’s health and vasectomies, as well as cardiac and chronic respiratory problems. He enjoys building long term relationships with his patients as they return to him over the years.
With over 4 decades worth of experience, Dr Donohue is not only a highly in-demand GP, but also a mentor to new doctors who pass through the doors at Yeppoon Family Practice.
He has a Post-Graduate Diploma from the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and is a Fellow of the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. He has also spent time as a Lecturer for the University of Queensland Rural Clinic school and as a Queensland Government Medical Officer.
Dr Debra Ibbotson
General Practitioner
A lifelong science lover, Dr Debra Ibbotson knew she wanted to be a Doctor from a young age. In 1997, she graduated from the University of Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa, and worked in her own private practice for several years.
In 2008, Dr Ibbotson and her family made the move to Australia, where they settled in Emu Park, which she calls paradise.
In 2010, she obtained her Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practice. Dr Ibbotson says being a GP gives her the greatest diversity in her day to day working life, and appreciates being able to build long lasting bonds with her patients.
Dr Eirik Ytterland
General Practitioner
A cut finger being stitched up in a doctor’s office was what put the then 20-year-old Dr Eirik Ytterland on the path to the medical field, spanning from Norway to Poland to Australia.
Dr Eirik obtained his medical degree in Poland, before returning to his home country of Norway, where he trained to be a General Practitioner. He has spent his career working in rural and remote areas, including completing his internship in rural Norway and spending a year working in the oncology/palliative care ward at a regional hospital.
Dr Eirik was a partner in two practices and completed specialist training in 2018. In 2021, he and his young family made the move across the world to Emu Park, Australia.
He has gained his Fellowship through the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine, and has a particular interest in chronic disease management, men’s health and minor skin surgery.
Dr Eirik in 2024 is practicing at both Emu Park and Complete Skin Solution. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday at Complete Skin and Tuesday Friday at our practice in Emu Park.
Dr Leonard Knott
General Practitioner
Dr Leonard Knott is a highly experienced GP with decades of expertise in providing exceptional medical care. He has a particular interest in chronic disease management and is dedicated to offering compassionate, patient-centered care to those living in residential aged care facilities.
After many years of owning and managing his own successful practice in South East Queensland, Dr Knott chose to step back to achieve a better work-life balance. His move to the Emu Park area has been a significant benefit to the local community, with his extensive experience and clinical expertise now supporting residents and the practice team alike.
Dr Knott’s knowledge and commitment are deeply valued by both the practice and the community. His thoughtful, individualised approach to care has earned him a reputation as a trusted and respected GP in Emu Park.
Dr Rebecca Nees
General Practitioner Registrar
Dr Rebecca Nees, known fondly as Dr Beck, is a dedicated doctor currently undertaking advanced training to obtain her Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners [RACGP].
Drawing on her background as a former Defence Force member, Dr Beck offers a unique and compassionate approach to patient care. She has a particular passion for chronic disease management, as well as supporting the health and well-being of veterans.
Dr Beck’s diverse experiences and skillset significantly enrich the practice, fostering a culture of knowledge sharing and excellence in patient care. Her approachable demeanor, unwavering dedication to high-quality healthcare, and genuine care for her patients make her an invaluable member of the team and a trusted doctor within within the community.
Dr Rory Rearden
General Practitioner Registrar
Dr Rory Rearden is passionate about patient-centred care and empowering his patients with the knowledge they need to make informed healthcare decisions. He enjoys getting to know his local patients and building a strong therapeutic relationship together.
As a procedural GP, Dr Rory brings advanced skills in obstetrics, gynaecology, and anaesthesia. He has worked across many rural and regional sites in Queensland, New South Wales and South Australia, most recently as a Senior Medical Officer in Far North Queensland. He is currently completing advanced training to obtain Fellowship with the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine (ACRRM).
Dr Rory is a Designated Aviation Medical Examiner (DAME), helping pilots and air traffic controllers meet their regulatory medical requirements (and having a good yarn about aviation at the same time!).
Working part-time at the practice, Rory balances his medical work with his full-time career as a commercial pilot for a North Queensland airline. When not doctoring or aviating, Rory loves spending time outdoors along the Capricorn Coast with his family and two sprightly border collies.
Dr Beth Skilbeck
General Practitioner
Dr Skilbeck is a part time Australian GP, sharing her time between Zilzie and Yeppoon practices.
Dr Skilbeck graduated from the University of Liverpool UK in 1992. Her General Practice training was gained in the UK with a Royal College Membership of General Practitioners. She has obtained Diplomas in child health, minor surgery, family planning and obstetrics with gynaecology.
Dr Skilbeck fell in love with Australia when she was working as a GP locum on the Gold Coast in 1998. She has spent 11 years working as a GP in Sarina, before moving to Yeppoon.
Dr Skilbeck sees herself a traditional family doctor with special interest in women’s health, IUD insertion, mental health and minor surgery. She is a GP registrar supervisor and contracted by James Cook University to assess the training of the local registrars.
Dr Paul Flanagan
Dr Paul Flanagan is a highly experienced surgeon who has taken a well-deserved step back from a busy and distinguished career, relocating to Central Queensland to embrace a more relaxed pace of life. He now practices minor surgery from our Emu Park practice, continuing to share his exceptional skills with the community.
With an extensive career that includes serving as a Defence Contractor, Dr Flanagan brings a wealth of experience and skill to our practice. He offers our patients a rare opportunity to access high-level surgical expertise for low-risk procedures within the comfort of the practice. His contribution adds immense value to both our community and our team.
Outside of his clinical expertise, Dr Flanagan is known for his wicked sense of humor, making him a pleasure to work with and a favorite among patients.
Dr Jorien Meijer
General Practitioner Registrar
A graduate of medical school in the Netherlands, Dr Jorien is fondly called Dr Jo by her Australian patients. She has worked back and forth between Australia and the Netherlands since she graduated from the University of Groningen in 2014.
In Australia, Dr Jo spent time doing research at the Royal Children’s Hospital, worked in ICU in Sydney, and the Emergency Department in Brisbane. In early 2022 she moved to the Capricorn Coast where she joined the Family Practice in Emu Park.
Her passions are working with children and women, and has a particular interest in chronic disease management. She has completed a certificate in Child Health and is working towards her Fellowship in General Practice.
Dr Sohaib Nasim
General Practitioner Registrar
We are delighted to welcome Dr Sohaib Nasim to our practice!
Dr Sohaib is currently undertaking advanced training to complete his Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP). With several years of experience working in Central Queensland, he brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to his role.
Dr Sohaib will be consulting at our Emu Park practice on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday for the next six months. His dedication to providing high-quality care and his passion for serving the community make him a valuable addition to our team.
We are excited to have Dr Sohaib on board and look forward to the positive impact he will make on the health and well-being of our patients and the broader community.