Melbourne Eastside Dermatology (MEDerm) is a specialist dermatology service provider.
MEDerm provide facility and support services to a list of practitioners, majority of whom are specialist dermatologists that provide expert skin treatment and advice for a number of skin conditions and cosmetic therapies.
MEDerm do not hire or employ any doctors. Rather, the practitioners operate independently, and utilise the first class services and facility from MEDerm to operate their medical practice.
Dr Desmond Gan
Dr Desmond Gan is a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD). Dr Gan is an independent Dermatologist currently utilising MEDerm as his practice address and facility.
Dr Gan completed his undergraduate medical degree (MBBS) in 2005 at the University of Melbourne with Honours, achieving Dean’s Honour List and was awarded Evelyn Coy Prize in Surgical Exam. He also completed a Biomedical Science degree in the research of epidemiology of androgenetic alopecia. He has since published in both domestic and international peer-reviewed dermatological journals, as well as co-authored a few dermatology textbook chapters.
Full Profile
Dr Friyana Bhabha
Dr Friyana Bhabha is a Fellow of the Australian College of Dermatologists (FACD). Dr Bhabha is an independent Dermatologist currently utilising MEDerm as her practice address and facility.
After completing her medical degree at Monash University in 2008, Dr Bhabha spent four years completing her basic training in adult medicine at Monash Health. She then embarked on her dermatology training, and over the years has worked at various hospitals throughout Victoria including the Royal Children’s hospital, Austin Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Skin snd Cancer Foundation and Royal Melbourne Hospital. Six months were also spent in Tasmania, at the Royal Hobart Hospital.
Dr Bhabha is a general dermatologist and has a wide area of interests including skin cancer management, medical dermatology, acne, rosacea, psoriasis and eczema.
Full Profile
Dr Sarah Shen
Dr. Sarah Shen is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD). Dr Shen is an independent Dermatologist currently utilising MEDerm as her practice address and facility.
Graduating from the University of Melbourne Medical School in 2008, Dr. Shen further completed a Medical Science degree in the research of surgical anatomy. She gained general medical and surgical experience at St Vincent’s Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre prior to embarking on dermatology research at the Victorian Melanoma Service at the Alfred Hospital, completing a Master of Philosophy in the research of high-risk melanomas, publishing work in both domestic and international dermatology journals.
Sarah undertook her dermatology training in Victoria including at St Vincent’s Hospital, the Austin hospital, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Monash Hospital, Alfred Hospital, the Skin and Cancer Foundation of Victoria as well as the National Skin Centre in Singapore.
Full Profile
Dr Benjamin Daniel
Dr Ben Daniel is a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD). Dr Daniel is an independent Dermatologist currently utilising MEDerm as his practice address and facility.
Dr Benjamin Daniel is a consultant dermatologist with public appointment at St Vincentʼs Hospital and the Western Hospital. His dermatology training included experience in the Alfred Hospital, Victorian Melanoma Service, Peter MacCallum Cancer Hospital, Royal Childrenʼs Hospital as well as the National Skin Centre in Singapore.
Dr Zahra Assarian
Dr Zahra is an Australian-trained dermatologist and is a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD), MD, FRACGP. Dr Assarian is an independent Dermatologist currently utilising MEDerm as her practice address and facility.
She can converse fluently in English and Farsi.
During her training she worked at tertiary hospitals including The Austin Hospital, The Alfred Hospital, The Victorian Melanoma Service, The Royal Children Hospital, St Vincent Hospital, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, The Northern Hospital, and a variety of subspecialty clinics at the Skin Health Institute of Victoria.
Dr Vanathy Varathan
Dr Vanathy is a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD). Dr Varathan is an independent Dermatologist currently utilising MEDerm as her practice address and facility.
With a broad interest in dermatology, Dr Varathan is highly motivated in dermatology and consults paediatric and adult patients and is competent in diagnosis and performing most skin cancer surgeries, treating psoriasis, eczema, acne, vitiligo, hair disorders, performing PRP injections, autoimmune skin conditions, infections, pigmentary disorders, pregnancy-related dermatology and immunobullous dermatoses.
She can converse fluently in English and Tamil.
Dr Gwyneth Natalie Wong
Dr Gwyneth Natalie Wong also known as Dr Natalie Wong
Dr Natalie Wong is a Fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists (FACD). Dr Wong is an independent Dermatologist currently utilising MEDerm as her practice address and facility.
Natalie completed a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) at Monash University with first class honours and was awarded the Terence Connors Prize in Clinical Dermatology and a full scholarship. She also completed a Biomedical Science (BMedSci) degree with first class honours performing research in epidermal regeneration.
Before commencing training as a specialist dermatologist Natalie worked as a surgical resident at St Vincent’s Hospital. She obtained a Graduate Diploma in Surgical Anatomy from Melbourne University and received the Certificate of Excellence for the highest scoring candidate in the Plastic Surgery stream. She then worked at the Skin Health Institute as sub investigator for over twenty clinical trials in psoriasis, eczema, vitiligo and alopecia areata. Natalie has published and presented her research nationally and internationally.
Natalie then completed 4 years of dermatology training at Victoria’s leading hospitals including the Royal Melbourne, the Western, the Austin, the Alfred, the Royal Children’s, Peter MacCallam Cancer Centre and the Skin Health Institute.
She can converse fluently in Cantonese.
Dr Janet Kim
Dr Janet Kim is a fellow of the Australasian College of Dermatologists.
She completed her medical degree at the University of Western Australia, graduating with Honours. She subsequently obtained her specialist qualification following comprehensive training received from various hospitals including Royal Adelaide Hospital, Flinders Medical Centre, the Women’s and Children’s Hospital and Queen Elizabeth Hospital in South Australia, and the Royal Darwin Hospital.
She is available for consultation for all general dermatological conditions including skin cancer, eczema, psoriasis, acne, vulval dermatology and hyperhidrosis.
Dr Janet Kim is able to converse fluently in Korean.
Melissa Daniell , Cosmetic Nurse Practitioner
Melissa Daniell (RN Registered Nurse, MN Master in Nursing, NP Nurse Practitioner) is an Australian registered nurse practitioner with prescribing rights for certain dermatology medications and is qualified to treat a number of dermatological and cosmetic conditions. Melissa is a contractor nurse practitioner that practises independently of other practitioners.
Melissa’s skill set is highly regarded, and she is considered as one of the most advanced cosmetic nurse practitioners in Melbourne. She is expert in performing the following treatments: Vascular laser (for rosacea, flushing, redness, facial vessels, scarring), Pico-second laser (for pigmentation, melasma, rejuvenation, skin tone, scarring, pores reduction), Ultraformer (for skin tightening, face, neck and brow lifting, body contouring), nano-fractionated radio frequency Venus VIVA (for acne scarring, pore reduction, skin tightening, improvement of skin tone), together with skin needling, skin peels, skin care advice and consultations. Melissa is also qualified for muscle relaxants injection for wrinkles (dynamic rhytides) treatment.
Andrea McCarthy, Cosmetic Nurse
Andrea McCarthy (RN) is a highly experienced Cosmetic Dermatology nurse, who is an employee of MEDerm.
Andrea started as a wound care nurse, and moved into dermatology nursing and cosmetic practise in 2015. Andrea specializes in minimally invasive procedures to treat conditions such as acne, pigmentation, premature aging, and rosacea. Extensive training and experience with a variety of energy-based devices such as the Pico-way, V Beam, Vascular laser, Fine wire diathermy, Venus Viva, Skin Pen and the Ultra former enables Andrea to create custom treatment plans tailored to each individual’s needs.
June Zhu, Cosmetic Nurse
Meet June, our dedicated cosmetic dermatology nurse whose meticulous approach and wealth of experience as a Cosmetic Nurse set her apart. With a remarkable 5 years in the cosmetic industry, June has honed her skills through extensive international training, making her a versatile professional in the field. Her passion lies in enhancing the natural beauty of her patients, and she takes pride in creating personalized treatment plans tailored to meet their unique aesthetic goals. June sees her work as an art form, and her keen eye for detail reflects in the outstanding results she achieves.
Driven by the desire to make clients feel their absolute best, June has developed a special interest in dermatology. Her expertise encompasses a range of treatments, from injectables like antiwrinkle, dermal filler, skin booster, and bioremodeling to advanced laser procedures, including picosecond and vascular laser. In addition, she is skilled in skin needling, radiofrequency, ultraformer, and various other treatments to address concerns such as acne scarring, rosacea, pigmentation, and anti-aging.
Fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, June ensures clear communication and a comfortable experience for all her patients.
What is a specialist dermatologist?
Dermatologists are medical specialists who undertook further post-graduate training under the Australasian College of Dermatologists, and carry the title ‘FACD’ (Fellow of Australasian College of Dermatologists).
The entrance to the post graduate FACD training program is highly competitive amongst medical graduates. Upon acceptance to the college training program, the intensive 4 year training focuses on all aspects of dermatology, covering complex medical dermatology, paediatric dermatology, hair and nail disorders, cosmetic dermatology, mole examination, skin cancer surgery training and a wide range of dermatological conditions. It is also unique that all trainees undergo histo-pathology training. This knowledge is hugely relevant and allows dermatologists to interpret test results accurately to tailor the most appropriate therapy.
The FACD training in Australia is well renowned and recognized internationally.
For more information, please refer to the Australasian College of Dermatologists website.
Unlike other skin cancer clinics (usually run by general practitioners) that do not require referrals, we highly recommend that you obtain a referral from your usual general practitioner before seeing a dermatologist to be eligible for maximum Medicare benefit.
Understanding MEDerm and our dermatologists / nurse practitioners
Melbourne Eastside Dermatology (MEDerm) takes pride in providing a high quality dermatology support services and facility for our listed dermatologists and nurse practitioner(s).
When booking to see our specialists / nurses, please understand the following:
- The practitioners practise individually independent of each other.
- MEDerm is responsible for the booking, paperwork, billing and providing facility for the doctors/nurse practitioners. MEDerm is not responsible for the medical practices or treatment plans instituted by the doctors/nurse practitioners.
- The practitioners’ relationship with MEDerm is one of contractor and service provider. The practitioners are not employees of MEDerm.
- The practitioners may practise in another facility/location outside MEDerm. It is your right to obtain your clinical notes, and discuss with your practitioner the best location to organise your consultation or treatment.