Our Paediatric & Support Team

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Hello, my name is Blessy. 

I am a children’s specialist and also a paediatric emergency physician. 

Growing up in the Indian subcontinent, led me on a journey to become a doctor wanting to bring meaningful change in healthcare. My lived experience there gave me some insight into  the merits of the early recognition of children’s illnesses, as well as how crucial and impactful access to early interventions can be. But in no small part, I became a paediatrician because children are delightful, sincere and trusting. They are always teaching you, even as you advocate for them.

For over a decade, I invested in learning paediatric conditions that required immediate attention as well as community based comprehensive care at the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney Children’s Hospital Network. Along the way, I gained my dual fellowships in Paediatrics and Child Health and Paediatric Emergency Medicine with the Royal Australasian College of Physicians. I also acquired a Master of Public Health and a Master of Health Management from UNSW.

But being a mum to my now primary school age twins, brings home that parenthood while fulfilling, can also be an anxiety inducing and confusing journey. Our worries are amplified when our children are involved. For a child or adolescent, parent or family; navigating a medical conundrum can be disconcerting. These may be concerns related to growth, feeding, sleep, rashes or eczema; but it could also be issues related to a new medical diagnosis, learning to thrive alongside it from childhood, neurodiversity, emotional lability or the challenges faced by a teenager. If you are reading this perhaps someone you care for is in need of a doctor who understands the unique medical needs of children. I hope to demystify this medical journey and advocate for focused therapeutic strategies which may include allied health and other distinct interventions in our Upper North Shore community.

I look forward to a child and family focussed collaboration with you at Holistic Paediatrics.

Hospital Affiliations:

•  Staff Specialist & Co-Director Emergency Medicine Training, Emergency Department - The Children's Hospital at Westmead  
•  VMO, Paediatric Emergency Specialist - Campbelltown Hospital 

I am Karin Timmers, a General Paediatrician with interest and expertise in Adolescent Health.

I did my Medical Degree in the Netherlands and moved to Australia in 2005; where I completed my Paediatric training, including a Master of Public Health. I have worked in Tertiary Paediatric Centres such as Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick, The Children’s Hospital in Westmead, John Hunter Children’s Hospital and several regional and rural hospitals. In the last few years of training as an Adolescent Fellow I was lucky to get to know a beautiful patient cohort, Adolescents with complex medical and mental health issues. This sparked my interest and passion in supporting this group of patients that frequently fall between the cracks and require a different approach.

Adolescence is a difficult period in our lives. Teenagers are frequently perceived as being difficult and often display challenging behaviour. There are however plenty of reasons that this behaviour occurs. In the Adolescent period, there is increasing pressures on the young person with significant changes in their body, emotions, school, family and social environment. Underlying sleep problems, learning difficulties or concentration issues can become more apparent, often leading to increased anxiety, depression and development of low self-esteem. This can lead to disengagement from school, alcohol and drug abuse, self-harm, family and interpersonal conflict. Teenagers are increasingly self-aware and at risk of body image issues leading to disordered eating. Even though this is a time that adolescents need more independence, with 1 in 10 experiencing mental health issues, it is also a time that requires adequate support, attention and supervision.

I am passionate about guiding young children and teenagers with their families through childhood and adolescence into adulthood using a family centered approach. I liaise with other health professionals involved and working as a multidisciplinary team to get the best care for the individual and their family.

I am seeing patients with a variety of presentations from birth up to young adults: specialty interests include eating disorders, anxiety, depression, low self-esteem, learning difficulties, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, behavioural issues with emotional dysregulation, autism spectrum disorders and general medical problems.

As a mother of a boy and a girl in primary school, I am well aware of the challenges parents face. In particular when medical and mental health issues are experienced, the family system and/or social system can easily get overloaded.

I am a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Eating Disorders (ANZEAD), the Australian Association of Adolescent Health (AAAH) and a member of the Neurodevelopmental and Behavioural Paediatric Society of Australasia (NBPSA).

I am looking forward to supporting you and your family in our community through Holistic Paediatrics.

Hello, I am Malini. 

I was born in Malaysia and spent my childhood and early teen years in Kuala Lumpur. I moved to Australia to pursue medicine, fell in love with this beautiful country and have called it home ever since. My role model growing up was my paediatrician who was a pleasant, nurturing and an attentive doctor who worked with my parents in advocating for my care. Watching her respect, the knowledge and experience of her patient’s parents, and working along them, inspired me to follow in her footsteps.

As a general paediatrician, I thoroughly admire a child’s spirit, strength and resilience in handling medical diagnosis and treatment. Moreover, I enjoy the intricate aspects of paediatrics which involves the development, learning, behaviour and general welfare of babies, children and teenagers. I do have other interests in paediatrics which include diabetes and refugee health, and this has led me to pursue further postgraduate studies in these fields.

I obtained my fellowship in general paediatrics in 2020 following training at the Sydney Children’s Hospital Network and Nepean Hospital. In my years of training, I have come to recognise that family centred, and evidence-based approach is an imperative essence in caring for paediatric patients. 

At Holistic Paediatrics, I would like to work with you and your child in navigating through the physical and psychosocial challenges, exploring what works well for your child, empower them to achieve their very best in every aspect of their live and watch them grow to their full potential.