Our doctors and their hours

Dr Annie Chen-Green
MBChB Dip Obs FRNZCGP

Hi, I am Annie.

I have always wanted to be a doctor; I consider working with patients to be a real privilege. To be part of your support network and help you on your journey and make a difference is a top priority.

I am married with children undergoing primary, secondary and university education. Family health is an important priority for me.

I graduated from Otago medical school, worked initially in Dunedin Public hospital, then Balclutha Hospital, followed by 10 years as a GP before moving to Christchurch where I locumed for 3 years before setting up Belfast North MEDIQUAL™ Doctors 7 years ago. This is now home for good.

We provide a team approach to your health care. I am so glad I'm working with other keen and dedicated staff at MEDIQUAL™ who, like me, have chosen to be in this profession because this is our passion. This journey is so much easier because the load is shared. The MEDIQUAL™ team will do their best to ensure you get the best care. And after hours you can contact After Hours untill we open up again.

Having consulted in several underprivileged countries, I really appreciate the preciousness of life and the uniqueness of who you are.

Dr Ralph Chen-Green
BSC MBChB Dip GP Dip Health Informatics MRNZCGP

Hi! I’m Dr Ralph, married to Dr Annie for 20 years. I trained at the University of Auckland, graduating MB ChB in 1979. I am currently working towards my fellowship with the Royal NZ College of General Practitioners. In the meantime I have gained Otago University Diplomas in General Practice and in Health Informatics. (Informatics is about the use of computers in health).

Annie & I spent 10 years together in rural general practice in Balclutha, South Otago, starting our practice there in early 1986. I was heavily involved with the local hospital support group to try and maintain surgical services at our local general hospital.

My particular passions for medicine are in mental health, computing in health, health education and teaching, and in medical home visiting. I currently work part-time at the surgery, do home visits and assist in our community mobile clinics. I am involved in part-time teaching of Abnormal Psychology to counselling students. I also look after our family. This last task has given me a much greater appreciation of the important and challenging task of parenting! Having had to deal with my own health issues has helped me see the other side – as I took on the role of patient. There is nothing like being a parent or a patient to teach me those realities of medicine which a book never could.

My hours are somewhat flexible. If you want to see me, please check with the MEDIQUAL™ staff.

Dr Giselle Fortune
MBChB Dip Obs Dip Paed Primex 1997

Hi, I'm Giselle. I've been a GP at MEDIQUAL™ since early 1999, part- time.

I'm married to Murray, who is a computer software engineer, and we have four lovely children aged between 3 and 10 years. This makes for a busy time, but I feel that being in the midst of it, I'm very much able to empathise with parents and young families.

I particularly love being able to help with your children's health needs. I am ready to listen, and I hope to be able to discuss health issues clearly so that you are empowered in caring for your children.

Of course I enjoy adult medicine too! I find it greatly rewarding to get to know my patients and their families over time, not only treating illness, but working together to address heath issues and to promote wellness.

Professionally I have a Diploma in Paediatrics, as well as a Diploma in Obstetrics, including gynaecology. Outside of work, I love family activities, church, camping, cycling, art and reading.

I think we have a great team of caring staff at MEDIQUAL™. I have always felt supported at work. As a team, we aim to work together with you to assist you in all aspects of wellness, which really involves every aspect of a person and means living a full life.

Dr Adrienne Ackermann
MRNZ CGP Primex 2004 MBChB 1991 Cape Town

I am married to Leon, an oral and maxillo-facial surgeon, and have two children, a son Devon who is 12 years old and a daughter, Chantelle who is 10.

I have worked as a GP for the past 10 years, and have worked at Belfast North MEDIQUAL™ Doctors on a parttime basis and am really enjoying it. Apart from working with Annie who is a really efficient, caring doctor and very understanding boss, and a great team of nurses and other staff, I really enjoy the work and the people. I love general practice because amongst other things I get to work with wonderful people and their families on a long term basis and get a feel for what the health issues really are and how to work together to look for solutions that are suited to them personally.

I have spent a fair amount of time in hospital medicine as well, and even a short time working in psychiatry, which is why I tend to be interested in the mind-body relationship and am interested in all aspects of the person, not just the physical/medical. GP practice to me is all about wellness, which is more than just absence/treatment of disease, and even more than preventative medicine, it's about relationships between people, their families and their doctor.

Dr Penelope Rice Wilson

Hi I'm Penelope, (Dr Pen.) I'm coming on board as the newest member of the MEDIQUAL™ team. Murray, my husband and I live in the country on a “life-style” block which we share with 4 alpacas, 6 steers and a huge kitten, “Mr Singh”.

I was born in England, but am a true KIWI, having moved here at the age of five with my sisters and parents. On leaving school I had a career working in the flight service industry and later qualified as a registered nurse. I was a late starter at medical school, beginning at 35 and subsequently gained my degree, and have worked in hospitals since, more latterly in psychiatry.

Outside work I'm a bit crafty, in an “arty” kind of way. I dabble in nothing in particular and everything in general and have a lot of fun in the process.

I'm fascinated by people and what makes them tick, what keeps them well and what makes them ill. I'm looking forward to this new opportunity to work in General Practice. See you there.

Dr Sagarika Sirisena
MBBS 1995 Primex 2004

I was born in Sri Lanka and did my medical education at University of Melbourne, Australia. After graduation, I married and we now have two children. Since 1996 I have been residing and working in New Zealand and thoroughly loving it. I have worked in the hospital setting for a number of years before coming here as a GP. I enjoy general practice and when I am not working I keep very busy being a Mum.

My interests are preventitive medicine and I am very keen to promote good lifestyle, assist with weight issues, osteoporosis, falls prevention and all aspects of medicine really. I am a great believer in empowering the patient.

I look forward to meeting you over the coming year.

Dr Paul Lodge
MBChB Dip Child Health

Dr Paul is involved in the community health clinic and at out Belfast surgery.