Your Multidisciplinary Team
Gastroenterology
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Gastroenterologist and FounderAssociate Professor Britt Christensen is a gastroenterologist who combines public practice at The Royal Melbourne Hospital as Head of the Inflammatory Bowel Disease Department and private practice in East Melbourne. She studied medicine at the University of Melbourne, graduating with honours ad completed a Master of Public Health at Monash University, for which she was awarded a Medal of Academic Excellence. Subsequently, she was awarded the Joseph B. Kirsner fellowship and spent over 2 years undertaking advanced training in IBD at the prestigious University of Chicago Department of Medicine, one of the largest and most prominent IBD centers in the world. Whilst there she also completed her PhD looking at histological outcomes and novel therapies in IBD. She has undergone further sub-specialty training in intestinal and perineal ultrasound training at Luigi Sacco Hospital in Milan, Italy and IBD and familial bowel cancer at the Amsterdam University Medical Center, Netherlands. Britt has a current research interest focusing on mucosal and transmural healing, intestinal and perineal ultrasound in IBD, management of perianal fistulas, pregnancy and IBD and new inflammatory pathways of IBD. Although Britt maintains a special interest in the inflammatory bowel diseases, Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, she is highly experienced in investigating and managing all gastroenterological complaints, including iron deficiency, gastrointestinal bleeding, bowel cancer screening, coeliac disease and liver disorders. She has been Chair of the IBD executive committee for the Gastroenterological Society of Australia (GESA), a board member of GESA and the scientific lead for the international bowel ultrasound group. She currently supervises several PhD students and runs an IBD clinical and research fellowship at Royal Melbourne Hospital. She is frequently invited to speak both nationally and internationally on IBD, has authored multiple book chapters on IBD and is a reviewer for many of the top journals in the field of Gastroenterology. In 2023, along with Dr Tamara Mogilevski, she co-founded The Melbourne Gut Clinic with the aim of bringing holistic, multi-disciplinary care to her patients.
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Gastroenterologist and FounderDr Tamara Mogilevski is a gastroenterologist who combines an honorary public appointment at The Royal Melbourne Hospital and private practice at The Melbourne Gut Clinic in East Melbourne. She completed her undergraduate training at The University of Melbourne – graduating with honours in 2011. She completed her post graduate training at the Austin, Northern and Alfred Hospitals and subsequently went on to consolidate her Inflammatory Bowel Disease training at the world famous Royal London Hospital during an 18 month fellowship in the United Kingdom. During this time she further consolidated her endoscopy skills at The Royal Free Hospital in London. On her return from the UK she completed her PhD which focused on the utility of intestinal permeability measurements and the use of vagal nerve stimulation in inflammatory bowel disease. Dr Mogilevski was awarded multiple research scholarships including the prestigious postgraduate NHMRC scholarship to complete her postgraduate studies. Dr Mogilevski maintains a keen interest in research, student supervision and education having previously served as an elected member of the GESA Inflammatory Bowel Disease executive committee. She is experienced in all aspects of gastroenterology including the investigation of iron deficiency, screening and surveillance of polyps, polyposis syndromes and colorectal cancer surveillance, gastrointestinal bleeding, coeliac disease and liver disease. Outside of work Tamara enjoys spending time with her young family and friends, trail running, pilates and hanging out at the beach.
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Dr Clayton Chubb is currently away on his overseas fellowship - we are excited for his return to The MGC but now later than expected - in March 2027
Daniel is a Melbourne-trained Gastroenterologist, Hepatologist, and Endoscopist with experience treating the whole gamut of gastroenterological conditions. He has particular interests in hepatology, cancer prevention through screening endoscopy, and disorders of gut-brain interaction. In addition to his work at The MGC, he has public appointments at the Alfred Hospital (hepatology, functional GI, and endoscopy), St Vincent's Hospital (endoscopy), and Eastern Health (endoscopy and inpatient gastroenterology).
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GastroenterologistBSc MD FRACP
Dr James Snell is a consultant gastroenterologist and hepatologist with a particular interest in liver disease. He also consults in all aspects of gastroenterology including inflammatory bowel disease, coeliac disease, irritable bowel syndrome, GORD, iron deficiency and bowel cancer prevention. James performs gastroscopy, colonoscopy and FibroScan.
James completed his medical degree at The University of Melbourne. He subsequently completed his advanced gastroenterology training at The Alfred Hospital and Western Health. This included a sub-specialty hepatology fellowship year at The Alfred Hospital.
James also works as a Gastroenterologist in the public sector at The Alfred Hospital and Western Health.
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Reception phone number: 0435 402 789
Reception email: reception@drjeremydwyer.com
Interventional Gastroenterologist
Dr Jeremy Dwyer is a Gastroenterologist and interventional endoscopist who combines private practice in East Melbourne with public appointments at The Alfred and Western Health. Dr Dwyer consults at The MGC and 438 High Street, Melton. He performs procedures at Epworth Freemasons, Epworth Richmond and the Hobson Healthcare Day Endoscopy Centre. Dr Dwyer completed an Honours degree in Biomedical Science from the University of Melbourne before graduating Medicine with Honours from the University of Sydney in 2006. He completed specialist training as a Gastroenterologist in 2014 and completed Advanced Endoscopy Fellowships at the Alfred, the Austin Hospital and St. Michael’s Hospital in Toronto, Canada.
Dr Dwyer endeavours to provide his patients with timely, precise, and personable care. His approachable nature and disposition to help others has shaped his ability to provide patients with quality care. Referrals can be forwarded via fax, email or secure electronic communication (Argus, HealthLink) and patients are welcome to call his rooms with any enquiries.
His special interests include:
The detection and resection of polyps and early cancers of the gastrointestinal tract including endoscopic mucosal resection of large polyps
Management of iron deficiency anaemia and gastrointestinal bleeding including capsule endoscopy and balloon enteroscopy
Endoscopic management of hepatobiliary and pancreatic disorders including endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)
Management of luminal gastroenterological conditions including gastro-oesophageal reflux disease (GORD), coeliac disease, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and endoscopic stenting for malignant obstruction
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Associate Professor Rebecca Burgell is a consultant gastroenterologist with public appointment at Alfred Health and Monash University. She is a leading academic clinician with expertise in Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders, Gastrointestinal Motility Disorders Clinical Nutrition, Inflammatory Bowel Disease and other immune medicated GI disorders such as Coeliac disease and Eosinophilic oesophagitis,
Dr Burgell completed medical training at Monash University Melbourne, where she received the Royal College of Physicians Clinical Prize in her final year. She completed her basic and advanced training at Monash and Eastern Health before completing her PhD and Motility Fellowship at the prestigious Wingate Institute at Queen Mary, University of London in 2014. Since returning to Australia, Dr Burgell has led the Functional GI Disorders Service, Home Enteral Nutrition service and Eosinophilic oesophagitis clinic at Alfred health. Dr Burgell serves as a principal investigator for pharmaceutical sponsored and investigator led trials in Neurogastroenterology and Eosinophilic oesophagitis.
Dr Burgell is a committee member of the Australian Neurogastroenterology and Motility association and chairs the Education Sub-Committee of the Gastroenterology Society of Australia’s Luminal Faculty. Additionally, she is a member of the European Crohn’s and Colitis association and the International Society for the Study of Coeliac Disease. She is a past council member of The Australasia Society of Parenteral and Enteral Nutrition. A dedicated educator and researcher, Dr Burgell has contributed to the development of national and international treatment guidelines, medical student education and physician training. Her work continues to shape best practice in the diagnosis and management of complex gastrointestinal conditions.
Dr Burgell enjoys working with patients and allied health providers to provide holistic care that improves patient’s day to day experience. She is highly experienced managing a broad spectrum of luminal gastroenterology presentations including Iron deficiency, Gastroesophageal reflux, Bowel Cancer Surveillance and Gastrointestinal Bleeding with efficient access to endoscopy services as needed. Her areas of special interest include:
1) Eosinophilic oesophagitis and other eosinophilic disorders
2) Coeliac disease
3) Inflammatory bowel disease including microscopic colitis
4) Functional bowel disorders.
NB: Dr Burgell will see select second opinions on a case-by-case basis. However, given the addition time required to provide high quality care in this situation a second opinion consultation will be charged at the Australia Medical Association recommended billing rates for a complex consultation.
Please see attached link to review A/Prof Burgell’s published papers https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Rebecca-Burgell
Colorectal Surgery
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Reception Phone Number: 0468 419 201
Reception email: cori@melcrs.com
Colorectal SurgeonDr Cori Behrenbruch is a CSSANZ trained female colorectal surgeon. She completed her general surgical training in 2015 through St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, with rotations through The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and The Royal Melbourne Hospital. Dr Cori subsequently completed two years of speciality colorectal training. The first year was a high-volume laparoscopic fellowship at Box Hill Hospital in Melbourne and the second year at St Mark’s Hospital in London, where she trained in robotic surgery, advanced colorectal cancer and complex inflammatory bowel disease including fistulising perianal Crohn's disease. Dr Cori has also completed a PhD through Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre and the University of Melbourne focusing on chemotherapy resistance in metastatic colorectal cancer.
Dr Cori is a colorectal surgeon committed to achieving the best clinical outcomes for her patients. Her approach is holistic with equal emphasis on achieving good quality of life, with the surgery being only one component of the overall care of her patients. Many of the conditions that Dr Cori manages are sensitive and patients often wait a long time to seek medical attention due to embarrassment. Dr Cori takes her time with each consultation and ensures that patients feel relaxed and secure. Dr Cori has had extensive general and sub-speciality colorectal training both nationally and internationally and has introduced novel techniques to the hospitals where she works, including laser fistula and VAAFT techniques.
Dr Cori currently works publically at Peter MacCallum cancer centre and St Vincent's Hospital in Fitzroy with subspeciality interest in peritoneal malignancy and complex perianal fistulas. She is also committed to research and education and is the clinical lead for surgical teaching of medical students at St Vincent's Public Hospital, and runs the research program within the colorectal unit at St Vincent's Hospital, Fitzroy. When she is not at work, she is lucky to be mum to two wonderful little girls.
Dietetics
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Accredited Practicing Dietitian
Dr Emma Halmos is a senior research dietitian and fellow at Monash University, Alfred Health, in the area of gastroenterology, with interests in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and coeliac disease. Emma’s scientific achievements have had a major impact in academia and clinical practice. Most notably, Emma led the pivotal feeding study as part of her PhD that showed the low FODMAP diet was effective in treating patients with IBS. This study launched a major change globally in attitude and enthusiasm towards dietary management. She is well known within the gastroenterology community, being a committee member for the Australian IBD dietitians’ group (DECCAN), Crohn’s Colitis Australia and Dietitians of ECCO (European Crohn’s and Colitis Organisation- world’s largest IBD forum). Emma reputation is internationally renowned and she has presented her work at several national and international conferences, including being the first dietitian invited to speak at the plenary of ECCO, attended by over 8000 delegates. She is also lead coordinator for the first ECCO consensus guidelines for diet in IBD management. Now in a leadership role, Emma is designing dietary studies for IBD management and supervising PhD students, mostly dietitians. Emma is passionate about inspiring and guiding other dietitians to enter into research.Working privately at The Melbourne Gut Clinic as a gastrointestinal dietitian, Emma translates research to practical clinical advice to her patients and strives to empower her patients to be actively involved in understanding their disease and how dietary manipulation can be used as treatment.
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Accredited Practicing Dietitian
Jessica Fitzpatrick is an Accredited Practising Dietitian specialising in the treatment of patients with gastrointestinal diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome and Coeliac disease. Jessica has completed her Masters of Clinical Research Methods at Monash University and has submitted her PhD with Monash University investigating the potential role of emulsifiers in the pathogenesis of Crohn’s disease. Jessica has published her scientific work in peer review journals and has contributed to Australian wide guidelines treating patients with Crohn’s disease with dietary therapy. She is the founder of the Dietitians Crohn’s and Colitis Australian Network (DECCAN). Jessica is the proud recipient of the Crohn’s Colitis Australia PhD Scholarship. Her passion is to contribute high quality research to the body of evidence related to nutrition intervention in patients with gastrointestinal disorders and translate this into her clinical practice to provide patients with individualised, evidenced based and compassionate care.
Pelvic Floor Physiotherapy
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Pelvic Floor Physiotherapist
Bachelor of Applied Science (Physiotherapy) (University of Sydney), Post Graduate Certificate in Women’s Health (Pelvic Floor) (University of Melbourne), Continence Foundation Australia Member.
Kate has 20 years experience working as a Physiotherapist in both the public and private sectors in Australia and the UK. Kate first became involved in pelvic health Physiotherapy over 15 years ago in the UK, before moving back to Australia to start a family.
Kate is dedicated, caring and passionate about empowering all of her patients to meet their health goals and achieve their best outcomes through all their life stages. She has a special interest and experience in managing persistent pelvic pain and sexual dysfunction issues.
Outside of work, Kate loves spending time with her family, travelling, going for long walks along Merri Creek and having long chats with friends over lots of coffee!
Gut Directed Hypnotherapy
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Clinical Hypnotherapist & Psychotherapist- Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy
Claire Jones is a Clinical Hypnotherapist and Strategic Psychotherapist consulting here at the Melbourne Gut Clinic. Claire provides Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy (GDH) as part of our multidisciplinary approach to managing functional gut disorders such as IBS. Her work focuses on retraining the gut–brain connection, calming the nervous system, and helping clients restore comfort, control, and confidence in their digestive health.
Alongside her role at Melbourne Gut Clinic, Claire also contributes to the Functional Gut Service at Alfred Health, delivering evidence-based Gut-Directed Hypnotherapy within a leading hospital setting.
Claire is also the founder of That Health Hub, where she runs specialised programs such as EmpowerHER™ and Discover Your Edge™, supporting women to recover from stress and burnout, and strengthen the mind–body connection that underpins both emotional and digestive wellbeing. To find out more, visit https://thathealthhub.com/