SHINING LIGHTS IN HEALTH
Professionals making difference
IN THE past two years, there has been greater acknowledgment of our medical professionals and what they sacrifice for the community.
In regional and rural areas across southern Queensland in particular, these people wear numerous medical hats depending on what is required at any given time.
The Chronicle has heard stories from 23 professionals aged 30 years and under about how they are helping the district, how they entered the medical field, and what their hopes are for the future.
Yesterday, we presented part one of this feature. Today we present part two.
Jessica Costello
As a young swimmer and dancer, Jessica Costello was no stranger to the physiotherapist and discovered an early passion for health care.
In 2019, Ms Costello graduated from the Australian Catholic University and is now a qualified physiotherapist, with a special interest in neurological rehabilitation and lower limb injuries.
During her tertiary education, she worked as a sports trainer for multiple sporting teams in Brisbane and completed placements at several hospitals before moving back to Toowoomba.
In 2020, she treated the Toowoomba Bears Rugby Union teams as their dedicated physiotherapist, which she did throughout their successful Risdon Cup campaign.
Now, Ms Costello, 25, works for Up and Active Physiotherapy and wants to lead by example for her patients by living a healthy and well balanced lifestyle. Tom Vinson
Twenty-nine year old Tom Vinson was a self-proclaimed sports nut as a child and knew he wanted to work in an industry that would allow him to continue to be involved with sports.
As someone who had two ACL repairs himself, Mr Vinson is passionate about treating knees, shoulders, and working with people post-orthopaedic surgery.
Mr Vinson has helped multiple sports teams, including one that recently competed at the Australian Rugby Shield.
Originally a Charters Towers resident, Mr Vinson has lived in Toowoomba for three years and currently works at Up and Active Physiology, while his wife works as a nurse at Toowoomba Hospital.
“I love encouraging exercise both as part of a structured way of helping your particular injury but also as a general way of keeping our body both mentally and physically happier,” he said.
“You’d be surprised what starting with a small amount of exercise can do for you.”
Martin Bryan
A senior biomechanical podiatrist with Optimise Health, Martin Bryan found his passion through his own podiatric journey.
Multiple lower-limb sporting injuries resulted in Mr Bryan becoming intrigued by the profession and graduating top of his class.
Over his career, Mr Bryan has been awarded the Philip Vasyli orthoses excellence award and he has become a well-rounded and respected podiatrist in his field who goes the extra mile for his patients and colleagues.
David Coates
A newly-graduated podiatrist, David Coates has already built a reputation around his caring nature, his skills and his attitude to finding a solution for his patients.
Based at Optimise Health, patients adore Mr Coates and love that he is now part of the Toowoomba team.
Emily Lowe
Known as the office’s little power rocket, Emily Lowe works as a physiotherapist with Toowoomba’s Optimise Health.
Ms Lowe is continually upskilling her knowledge to ensure she is up to date with the latest treatment protocols and pain management for her clients.
Aside from working in the practice, Ms Lowe is also involved within the community, where she runs clubs, instructs reformer pilates classes, and is even a place getter in triathlons.
Lauren Steele
A bright and bubbly physiotherapist, Lauren Steel brings happiness and joy to everyone around her.
Her passion for physiotherapy lies in injury management and prevention,
especially for athletes.
With an empathetic and understanding approach to treatment, Ms Steele is beloved by her patients and Optimise Health colleagues, as she is able to pull from her own journey recovering from injuries.
Ms Steele tries to lead by example for her patients and can be frequently seen at the gym, going for a swim, or spending quality time with her loved ones.
Suneek Sukhnundan
Podiatrist Suneek Sukhnundan is the Optimise Health clinic’s ray of sunshine, as she lights up every room she’s in.
With a key attention to detail, mixed with a gentle and kind nature, Ms Sukhnundan is beloved by her clients.
Her passion falls into providing high quality care, however she also has a special interest in high risk, diabetic patients and wound/ulcer management.
Daniel Lau
Podiatrist Daniel Lau works
between the Toowoomba and Warwick Optimise Health clinics, where he works hard to ensure all residents receive the highest quality of care available. Mr Lau is bilingual and can also assist residents who speak mandarin.
He is a valued member of both clinics, and in his spare time enjoys travelling, spending time with family and reading content on reddit.
Kate Merrin
After graduating from university in Adelaide, Kate Merrin
has worked as an optometrist in the Garden City after previously completing placement hours at the clinic.
In 2021, Ms Merrin made the move to Toowoomba to work with Somerville & Merrin Optometrists, where she has hit the ground running, including doing home and nursing home visits.
She is currently in training to become a behavioural optometrist and has taken an interest in speciality contact lenses.
Abby Ussher
After completing a Master of Optometry with QUT in 2018, Abby Ussher began her career as a therapeutically trained Optometrist at Neilson Eyecare.
With a keen interest in children’s vision, eye disease management and helping her patients to find relief from dry-eye conditions, Ms Ussher is proud to be given the opportunity to help Toowoomba residents see clearly.
Ms Ussher has spoken at conventions and co-written articles about her main point of focus, which is her preventive approach to eye care and practising Myopia Control – the practice of trying to prevent or slow down shortsightedness in children.
Recently, Ms Ussher was a finalist for the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce Focus HR Business Excellence Awards 2022 for the Future Leader of the Year award.