our staff
The staff at Macquarie Neurosurgery & Spine are an exceptional team, working together to achieve the most seamless experience for patients.
In addition, they ensure the clinics run like clockwork, to reflect the professionalism of the practice and doctors.
Rena Bale
Personal Assistant
Having joined MQN in February 2011, Rena is our most experienced PA at the practice. With a background in internal communications and administration, she was also a Dental Lab assistant prior to starting a career in the neurosurgical space.
Here at Macquarie Neurosurgery, Rena particularly enjoys a work environment with world class doctors and great teamwork.
When she is not at work, Rena loves spending time with her family and friends, and also likes volunteering on a regular basis.
Catherine Chan
Personal Assistant
Catherine joined MQN in May 2022 after 3 years working for Douglass Hanly Moir as a receptionist and trainer.
She is not only a committed Personal Assistant, but she also supports the team and patients on Cantonese and Mandarin interpreting. Patients’ interactions and the continuous learning are the two components of the role she enjoys the most at Macquarie Neurosurgery.
She holds both a diploma of interpreting and an advanced diploma of translation.
During her spare time, Catherine is a baker and likes solving jigsaw puzzles.
Danielle Egan-Lee
Personal Assistant
Having joined Macquarie Neurosurgery as a Personal Assistant in March 2023, Danielle previously worked as a Medical Secretary for an ENT and Head and Neck Cancer Clinic, providing secretarial support to 4 other surgeons within the practice, whilst managing & overseeing the daily running of a busy specialist clinic.
Danielle has brought a warmth & glow with her, already making special friendships with her colleagues & is committed to making each & every one of her patients feel heard, cared for and always looked after.
Danielle speaks, read & writes fluent Italian & her hobbies include baking (especially Italian biscuits), spending time with her family & friends entertaining, with hearty home cooked Italian food & believes life should be lived through love & most importantly laughter. She feels that life is simply too short to live it any other way.!
Raquel Santos
Personal Assistant
Raquel joined MQN in October 2013 as a Personal Assistant after a few years as a ward clerk and an administrative officer, respectively, at Macquarie University Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital. She holds two TAFE certificates in Administration and Executive Assistant skills, and also completed training in Individual Support in Ageing and Disability.
Raquel thrives working alongside our team of neurosurgeons, feeling “privileged” to be part of the team. She finds a strong purpose in interacting with our patients and being involved in their care journey.
Outside her work, Raquel loves spending time with family and friends. She also loves going on a long drive and exploring the beautiful country we live in!
Kate Shelley
Personal Assistant
Kate joined our Macquarie practice in October 2018 and moved to the Nepean practice in January 2020 after more than 10 years in customer service and patient liaison roles, respectively at MMI, Macquarie University Hospital and Westmead Private Hospital.
She is studying for a diploma in Marketing and PR from the APM Training Institute.
Kate has an acute sense of patient care and she loves the professionalism, care and team environment provided at Macquarie Neurosurgery.
Susette McGarry
Practice Coordinator – Coffs Harbour Clinic
Susette has been working in the medical profession for over 30 years and started supporting Professor Stoodley at Baringa Private Hospital when he started in the Coffs Harbour region in 2000. Susette contributed greatly to the Coffs Harbour clinic development as a practice coordinator.
She holds a Diploma of Practice Management from the University of New England and she loves interacting with patients, always going the extra mile to provide them with the best level of support.
During her free time, Susette enjoys all beach activities, as well as music, dancing and reading.
Tina Ernfridsson
Administration Assistant
Tina joined our Coffs Harbour team early 2022 as an Administrative Assistant. She has more than 14 years of experience in the field with successful medical receptionist roles in Terrey Hill Medical Centre and Northern Beaches Hospital in Sydney. Prior to that, Tina was a Training Nurse in Sweden, working in the Cardiology Intensive Care unit of a university hospital.
Tina loves the business side of the organization combined with well organised systems and routines. She feels “so fortunate” to be part of the team, and the feeling is mutual!
Very active outside of work too, Tina is a sailor, a skier and likes dedicating time on craft work.
Amanda Manning
Personal Assistant
As the only Personal Assistant based in Canberra, Amanda holds the fort in our ACT practice!
She started working for A/Prof Fuller in 2017, until Macquarie Neurosurgery acquired his practice in January 2020 and she became part of the MQN family.
Amanda has over 30 years of experience in health and administration in multiple countries, including in the UK. In her free time, Amanda is an arctophile.
Dimity Morrison
Accounts Manager
Dimity joined the Accounts team in July 2023 as an Accounts Manager.
Dimity previously worked as a Practice Manager in various fields, including Cardiology, ENT and Breast Surgery. She has worked in the medical industry for 11 years. Dimity is currently studying a Bachelor of Nursing at University of Technology Sydney. Previously she studied at June Dally-Watkins Business Finish College where she received a Certificate IV in Business Administration
Dimity love’s the friendly atmosphere, the great co-working environment, and finds neurosurgery very interesting!
Outside of work Dimity enjoys singing, trying new restaurants, and spending time with her boyfriend and cats.
Gemma Silvia
Accounts Manager
Gemma joined the Accounts team in December 2022 as an Accounts Officer.
Her administration experience spans a range of industries, largely focusing on accounts and finance roles with a view towards improving client’s experience. Gemma has worked in the medical industry for 6 years, with time spent in both patient facing and organisational roles where she has been able to gain financial experience as well as knowledge of practice operations.
As one of the newcomers at Macquarie Neurosurgery, Gemma is excited to see what the future holds for this talented team who are so dedicated not only to their patients but also to research and education.
In the near future, she plans on dedicating her spare time to seeing Australia, enjoying the local food specialties while supporting local businesses.
Clementine Cordier
General Manager
Clementine joined Macquarie Neurosurgery early 2020 as General Manager, leading the non-medical teams at MQN.
Although she left France more than 10 years ago, moving to China for a few years before arriving in Australia in 2016, she still caries her French accent everywhere she goes! With over 13 years of experience in health and leadership, Clementine holds a Master’s in Management and a Bachelor of Economics.
She believes working for MQN offers the perfect mix of professionalism and kindness. The teams are the living proof that success goes along well with compassion and human-centred values.
Clementine spends most of her free time outdoors, either on a hiking path or in the ocean, and enjoys writing and supporting social causes.
Diana Morkel
Practice Manager
Diana has been our Practice Manager for over 3 years now, and joined MQN 11 years ago. Directly managing the PAs team, Diana oversees the optimal running of the main rooms in Macquarie, Nepean, Coffs, and Canberra. She has a sound knowledge of the medical practice environment with more than 24 years of experience in this area.
Diana loves being part of a team supporting neurosurgeons in performing life changing surgeries. She describes Macquarie Neurosurgery as her “home away from home” and loves to continue learning something new every day.
Diana spends her spare time with her family and reading a good book. She also is an animal lover.
Nyree Correia
Business Consultant
Nyree has worked with Macquarie Neurosurgery in a business advisory capacity since 2009.
With over 25 years’ experience in financial management, business strategy development and process improvement, Nyree has worked in key leadership roles in private hospitals, allied health, medical imaging and medical specialist practices. She has been involved in the implementation of innovative solutions in radiology virtual reporting and hospital systems.
Nyree is currently the Chief Financial Officer for Innovation Unit. She has a Bachelor of Commerce, is a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants and holds a governance role in the independent school sector. Nyree has been a non-executive director of Macquarie Neurosurgery since 2021.
Kate Lin
Nurse Practitioner
After 2 years as a Registered Nurse in Macquarie University Hospital, Kate Lin joined the neurosurgery teams in September 2012 as a Clinical Nurse Specialist. She was promoted to Clinical Nurse Consultant in 2016 then got endorsed as Nurse Practitioner in 2020.
She holds a Bachelor of Nursing (both in Chinese and English) and a Master of Clinical Nursing from the University of Sydney.
Working with world leading experts in neurosurgery inspires Kate Lin every day, who also enjoys the multiculturalism component of the team. Committed to excellence in patient care, she feels strongly aligned with the organization focus on research, teaching, and learning.
Before becoming a mum, Kate used to spend her free time travelling and cooking. Since she’s embraced motherhood, her children’s hobbies have become hers too!
Josh Hogan
Social Media and Marketing Assistant
Josh joined our practice in July 2023. He previously worked as a Marketing Executive and Marketing Associate. Josh completed his Master’s Degree In Ireland in 2021 writing his paper on “The Effects of Polarisation on Consumer Psychology and Purchasing Behavior”. He also has a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing Practice which he completed in 2020.
Since joining MQN Josh enjoys the friendly and welcoming atmosphere. In his spare time Josh enjoys travelling and being outdoors. He also enjoys working out and being around good people.
Murtaza Abbas
Receptionist
Murtaza joined our practice in January 2024. He previously worked as a PA for an adolescent psychiatrist. He has 3 years experience in the medical industry. Murtaza graduated high school in 2021 with a major in English, Hospitality and French. He’s currently doing his pre course for a bachelor’s in politcs, philosophy, and economics at UNSW.
Since joining MQN Murtaza enjoys the team as they feel like family. He likes being in a clinic where there’s research and scholarly work happening around the clock. He is constantly learning and being inspired. Outside of work Murtaza has many hobbies and interests including Urdu language and literature, calligraphy, swimming, gastronomy and traveling!
Tayla Shepherd
Personal Assistant
Tayla Joined the practice in June of 2024. She previously worked 8 years in childcare and 3 years as a secretary for a cardiologist. She is passionate about the high quality care Macquarie Neurosurgery provides for their patients.
In her spare time Tayla likes to read books, explore the outdoors when the weather is nice and spend time with family and friends.
Margot Bassett
Personal Assistant
Margot joined our practice in January 2024. She previously worked as a medical secretary for vascular surgeon Dr Tae Hyun Cho for over 3 years. She has 8 years experience in the medical industry. Margot loves working at MQN because it feels like family. She is also passionate about excellent patient care. Margot thinks that it’s a wonderful environment where all staff have the same work ethics and values.
In her spare time Margot loves spending time with her two daughters and niece, taking her dog Abigail for walks, reading crime thrillers and doing renovation and DIY projects around her home.
