About
The Cove Medical Group was established around 25 years ago. Until mid 2015, we were located at Attadale Hospital but are now in the SJOG Medical Clinic at Murdoch. Initially Dr's Clarke and Gunnell worked together. Since Dr Clarke's retirement, Dr Danii Paterson has joined the practice. Between us, we provide an extensive Women's Health service.
I am currently on a weekend roster with Dr Rhys Bellinge, Dr David Mincham and Dr Hannah Sylvester. The roster will be available well in advance. These three highly skilled and respected obstetricians will provide care for my patients during my weekends off and when I am otherwise unavailable. I have great faith that you will be in excellent hands.
Dr Chris Gunnell
I am an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist. I did my schooling in Western Australia and went on to study Medicine at UWA. From very early in my training as a medical student I knew that I was destined for this amazing specialty and have never looked back. It has been my passion now for the last 30 years!
My O&G training was undertaken at King Edward Memorial Hospital (apart from 2 years in Sydney at Royal North Shore Hospital). I joined Dr Simon Clarke at The Cove Medical Group in 1998 and we have worked together happily since then until his recent retirement.
I met my wife Jenny at King Edward Hospital. She was a midwife and I was a junior doctor. We married in 1993 and now have 3 adult children. Jenny understands that I sometimes have to cancel our dinner arrangements at the last minute or rush out the door at 3am to deliver a baby. We both know how privileged I am to be involved in bringing another life into the world.
As an experienced Obstetrician, I am qualified to care for the full spectrum of private obstetrics; ranging from uncomplicated pregnancies to the care of women who have underlying medical issues or complex pregnancies.
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Recently I made the big decision to stop doing gynaecology. Obstetrics has always been my main passion and, although it is a little sad, I am actually enjoying the freedom to focus more on my pregnant patients.
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For the past 5 years I have also been the Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St John of God Hospital, Murdoch. This was quite a challenging role during the Covid crisis! I also have a passion for teaching and passing on my knowledge to our future doctors. In 2023 I was appointed Associate Professor of Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the University of Notre Dame Fremantle. I do a lot of lectures and tutorials and regularly have medical students sitting in with me at consulting sessions. I thank you in advance for your patience if there is a student present. It is in all of our best interest to give these students high quality teaching (including communication skills) as they will be the ones looking after us in the future!
In my spare time I love to spend time with my family, cook, eat, travel, read (and learn how to build a website!!).
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In 2016 (and then again in 2017) I did some voluntary work as an obstetrician in a maternity hospital in Ethiopia. These were amazing experiences and gave me some insight into the state of women's health in underdeveloped countries. In 2019 I worked in Namibia. I plan to do more of this rewarding work in the coming years. If you are interested to find out more, go here.
Dr Danii Paterson
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Danii was one of the first cohort to graduate from University of Notre Dame (Fremantle) after working as a senior podiatrist and Head of Department in the High Risk Foot Clinic in Newcastle as part of Hunter Area Health Service. During her medicine degree, Danii also completed a Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education through Monash University.
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She was awarded her FRANZCOG in 2018 having completed her training in Western Australia, including 6 months in Geraldton, and has completed clinical training in Urogynaecology at King Edward Memorial Hospital and the Gold Coast Health Service. Danii was the Chief Registrar at KEMH in 2017 and won the Camille Michener Registrar of the Year award at KEMH in 2020.
Jennifer Vulin (Clinical Psychologist)
I graduated from Murdoch University with a postgraduate degree in Clinical Psychology. Since then, I have focussed my career on women’s mental health. Specifically I am committed to assisting women who are planning a pregnancy, as well as antenatal and postnatal support.
In my work, I adopt a preventative approach to improve mental health and wellbeing, and aim to empower and equip women and families with the necessary skills to successfully cope with the transition to parenthood or to navigate any other significant life change.
With a GP referral, my patients may be eligible to seek a Medicare rebate via the Better Access to Mental Health Care Initiative
Reception Staff
Your first contact at the Cove Medical Group will be with our amazing reception staff. Christine and Liz are friendly and helpful, with a wealth of knowledge about all things to do with women's health and our practice. Their cheerful faces will greet you when you visit and they are always happy to take your phone calls if there are any questions or problems.
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You will get to know our staff well during the course of your pregnancy and they love it when you bring your baby back to show him/her off to them!
Jenny
Jenny has been our Practice Manager and Nurse at the Cove Medical Group for many years. She has a wide range of experience in women's health and midwifery. She assists Drs Clarke and Gunnell with gynaecological procedures and ensures the smooth running of our practice.
Cathy Chalk
Cathy is an experienced midwife and lactation consultant who started with the Cove Medical Group in 2021. She is available for help with anything related to your pregnancy or breastfeeding. Cathy works every Friday morning and those women booked in for their pregnancy care can ring or make an appointment to see her.
Cathy also works clinically as a midwife at St John of God, Murdoch.