About Us
Luckens Road Medical Centre began operating on Luckens Road, West Harbour, in 1979. On the 11th of April 2016, it became Hobsonville Family Doctors at its new location on 124 Hobsonville Road. We are easy to find on 124 Hobsonville Road, on the first floor of the new building in front of the new Countdown.
Our main clinic features 5 GP clinic rooms and 3 nursing areas. There is a Pharmacy, Physiotherapist and Podiatrist conveniently located in the same building. There is a big lift, mobility access and disabled parking at our front door, and plenty of free parking available outside.
We recently completed Suite 2, an extension to our clinic, just down the corridor from the main clinic. This offers an additional 2 GP clinic rooms, a nursing area and 2 additional rooms for other health professionals.
Doctors
Dr Paul Nicholls
MBBS, DRCOG, MRCGP, DipMSM, FRNZCGP
He / Him
Paul joined the practice in 1988, after moving from the UK. He trained as a General Practitioner in Brighton. He has a post-graduate qualification and special interest in Musculoskeletal Medicine. Over the last 32 years Paul has enjoyed working alongside a skilled team and provide the highest quality services to the local community.
Paul's regular hours are Monday all day, and sessions on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Paul is no longer seeing new patients.
Dr Torrance Merkle
MBChB (Auckland), PGCertMedSc, FRNZCGP
He / Him
Torrance joined as a full time GP in December 2015. He was born and bred in Auckland and studied Medicine at Auckland University, before working in all 4 of the hospitals in Auckland. Torrance's interests include youth health, sexual and LGBT+ Health, diabetes, ADHD, mental health, and sleep.
Torrance is experienced prescribing PrEP for the prevention of HIV (read more here). He offers video consultations for existing patients (for follow-up or ongoing management of existing conditions).
Torrance's regular hours are Monday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoons, and all day Fridays. Torrance's late night session is Thursdays until 7pm.
Torrance is no longer seeing new patients - casual or enrolled.
Dr Julyan Lawry
BHB, MBChB, DipPaed, DipObstMedGyn, FRNZCGP
She / Her
Julyan has been with Luckens Road Medical Centre since 1998. She is a mother to twin girls and enjoys all aspects of General Practice.
Julyan works part-time, and her regular hours are Tuesday afternoons, Wednesday afternoons, and Thursday mornings.
Julyan is no longer seeing new patients.
Dr Joanne Shooter
MBChB, FRNZCGP
She / Her
Joanne has been with Luckens Road Medical Centre since 2003. She is also a mother of twins, with three boys altogether. She trained in Paediatrics before moving to General Practice.
Joanne works Monday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings.
Joanne is no longer seeing new patients.
Dr Gretchen Laubscher
MBChB, FRNZCGP
She / Her
Gretchen joined us in February 2020. Originally from South Africa, Gretchen studied at the University of Pretoria, where she also met her husband.
They moved to New Zealand in 2007 where Gretchen initially worked in Accident and Medical clinics in Whangarei and Auckland, before completing her GP specialist training. Gretchen enjoys all aspects of general practice, the variety and complexity, and the privilege of building relationships with patients and their families over the years.
In her spare time she enjoys baking, board games, entertaining friends and especially spending time with her husband and their 2 young daughters.
She currently works all day on Monday, Tuesday and Friday.
Gretchen is no longer seeing new patients.
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Dr Carolyn Bulman
BSc, BSc (Med), MD, CCFP - Certification in the College of Family Physicians (Canada)
She / Her
Carolyn joined the practice in October of 2021 after relocating from Canada. She grew up in Winnipeg, which is where she completed her medical school training. She then completed her Family Medicine residency in Calgary, and practiced there for an additional five years. She moved to Auckland with her husband and two young daughters.
Carolyn enjoys all aspects of general practice, with a special interest in Women’s Health.' Carolyn works full days on Monday and Wednesday, and Thursday afternoons.
Carolyn is no longer seeing new patients.
Dr Olga Fomchenko
MBChB, MRNZCGP
She / Her
Olga joined our team in July 2022. Dr Olga is originally from Ukraine where she specialised in paediatric ENT. Olga moved to New Zealand in 2009, has worked across all major Auckland area hospitals, and since 2017 she has been enjoying her work in General Practice with a special interest in paediatrics and gynaecology. She has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Obstetrics and Medical Gynaecology in the University of Auckland.
In her spare time, she is a passionate knitter and crafter, and loves travelling and spending time with her husband and their young son. Olga works Tuesday - Friday mornings and is fluent in both English and Russian.
Olga is no longer seeing new patients.
Dr Alice Vermunt
MBChB, ClinDipPallMed, FRNZCGP
She / Her
Alice Joined the practice in January 2023. Alice is born and bred in Auckland. She completed her medical training at the University of Auckland and worked in the various hospital within Auckland before entering general practice. Alice is a Fellow of the Royal NZ college of GPs. She has a post graduate diploma in palliative care and a special interest in women's health.
Alice works all day on Monday - Thursday.
Dr Brian Do
MBChB, MRNZCGP
He / Him
Brian joined our team in January 2023. Brian has completed medical training at the University of Otago and started practicing in the Auckland region, working in all four hospitals before joining general practice. He is training with the Royal NZ College of GPs. Brian has a special interest in musculoskeletal medicine, currently studying towards a postgraduate diploma in musculoskeletal medicine.
Brian works Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday (late night session until 7pm) and Friday and is fluent in both English and Korean.
Brian is no longer seeing new patients.
Dr Deshika Nissanka
MBBS
She / Her
Dr Deshika Nissanka is an accomplished (MBBS) graduated Doctor with over four years of practice experience in various settings, including urban, high needs and major hospitals in NZ and overseas. Dr Nissanka has a strong background in providing comprehensive and patient-centred care, with expertise in managing chronic conditions, preventive medicine, and minor surgery. Dr Nissanka speaks fluent English and Singhalese.
Deshika joined the team in January 2024 and works all day Tuesday to Friday.
Health Improvement Practitioner (HIP)
Morgan Ely
Master of Social Work (MSW)
She / Her
Morgan joined the practice in September 2021. She grew up in Texas and moved to New Zealand with her husband in 2008. She has practiced Social Work in Auckland since 2010 with a focus on children and families before completing specialist training as a Health Improvement Practitioner. In this new role she focuses on helping people who are feeling the impact of stress, health issues or problems with daily living. She can see people of any age for any issue affecting their health and general well-being.
When not at work, Morgan enjoys time with her two young children, building and crafts and generally being creative.
Consults with Morgan are fully funded, with no patient co-pay. Sessions generally last 20-30 minutes and will look at pressing issues at the moment. They will include goal setting or agreed plans for improvement.
Morgan works Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday.
Health Coach (HC)
Shelley Smith
She / Her
Shelley joined HFD in October 2023 and helps patients with long term conditions such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, autoimmune conditions, gut issues, gout, sleep and general health & wellbeing challenges.
Health Coaching supports people to gain the knowledge, skills and confidence to become informed, active participants in their own health care. Consults with Shelley are fully funded, with no patient co-pay.
Shelley is a certified yoga teacher and Ayurveda enthusiast. She has travelled to 47 countries and used to be part of the fast-paced corporate world in Hong Kong and London.
Shelley works Tuesday and Wednesday.
Nurses
Sophie Joy
BHSc/BNurs, PGCert in Advanced Nursing Practice
Sophie joins the practice after working in the Emergency Department at Auckland City Hospital and prior to that at North Shore Hospital on a medical ward. Sophie was born and raised on the North Shore but spent her years studying at Otago.
Sophie is passionate about providing well rounded care for patients and is particularly interested in skin cancer detection and prevention, health education and National Screening Programmes. She is trained in cardiac monitoring, resuscitation and triaging.
Sophie has been a Hobsonville Point local for the past 3 years and enjoys doing the coastal walking loop and spending time at the local cafes, markets and heading to the beach when ever possible.
Melanie Shepherd
BHSc/BNurs
Melanie joined grew up and still lives in West Auckland. She joined Hobsonville Family Doctors in October 2019.
She has been working at the North Shore hospital and Waitakere hospital emergency departments for 16 years prior to her move to General Practice. She has also done work in the UK with refugees and district nursing. She is enthusiastic about gaining more knowledge in all aspects of Primary Care especially women's health, care of long term chronic conditions and wound care.
In between looking after her 3 daughters and working she enjoys DIY around the house and gardening.
Ali Brady
BNurs, Certificate in allergy nursing
Ali has has had previous experience in General Paediatric's at Starship Children’s Hospital before moving into Private Allergy clinic nursing.
She is passionate about health promotion in particular children’s health and
immunisations. She is also interested in the prevention and management of mental health conditions.
In her spare time Ali loves looking after family and spending time at the beach
or boating.
Lynette Bode
BNurs
Prior to joining the team in 2022 Lynette worked for five years in aged care and
dementia. Lynette believes in focusing on the whole person when caring for patients and is passionate about providing quality care while remaining mindful of a patients’ individual preferences and needs. Lynette is passionate about gaining more knowledge in Primary Care and has a keen interest in Children's
health, immunisations and wound care.
In her spare time Lynette loves to spend time with my family and crafting.
Stephanie Alcaino
BNurs
Stephanie is an experienced registered nurse in primary care. Her experience also includes a short stint in aged care and medical wards in Australia. She is an experienced cervical smear taker and authorised independent vaccinator.
Stephanie enjoys interacting with patients and creating a warm and inviting environment so patients feel comfortable meeting their health needs.
She is bilingual and speaks fluent Spanish. In between caring for her two daughters she enjoys exercising.
Zyra Anana
BScN
Zyra started at HFD in August 2023. Zyra has been a registered nurse in NZ for 11 years. She has the pleasure of doing something she feels very passionate about. With her experience ranging across different facets of the healthcare industry, she feels she is well-established and confident in where her skillsets and focus are now directed: general practice, which is something that she has consistently found a growing interest in. She believes that her nursing background, along with her love for people and friendly nature, is the right blend for being a well-respected, honest, and driven nurse.
In her spare time, Zyra enjoys dancing, performing, and spending time with her loved ones.
Kimberley Ubels
BNurs
Kimberley joined the team in Janaury 2024
Reception
Practice Manager
Shiree
Shiree comes to us with many years of Administration and Customer Service Management mainly in the travel and hospitality industry but interestingly also has a Diploma in Childbirth Education.
She has two children and loves to travel.
Amy
Amy joined HFD a few years ago and is the perfect mix of caring and efficient. Her hobbies include travel, gardening and she loves a bit of DIY.
Sally
Sally comes to us with a physio and admin background. When not working she spends time catching up with family and out boating on the Hauraki Gulf.
Frances
Frances joined our clinic in February 2024, she comes from a Veterinary background. Frances loves her animals and her hobbies include reading and hiking.
Liana
Liana has joined us in February 2024 from a dental and sales background.
In Liana’s spare time she enjoys spending time with family and friends and enjoys a bit of gardening.
Prudence
Prudence joined in January 2024 and comes to us from an in-depth Healthcare background. When she is not working hard in the clinic she is playing or watching hockey with her family.
Linda
Linda joined us in August 2020. She loves interacting with and assisting our patients in any way she can and has had a busy life raising 3 children.
Lynne
Lynne joins us from an administration/education background.
She has two grown boys living away from home, enjoys travel, gardening and is very crafty.
Practice Manager
Practice Manager
Mandi Knowles
Mandi joined the team in June 2022 after returning to Auckland. During her time overseas Mandi gained experience in private practice management.
In her spare time Mandi enjoys spending time with family and watching her young son play cricket and football.