The Goldfields Urology History
Goldfields Urology first started in Bendigo in October 2010 when A/Prof Janelle Brennan moved to Bendigo. The original location was 20 Drought Street Bendigo. Our current property at 38 Myers Street Bendigo was purchased in 2011 and Goldfields Urology moved in March 2012 when renovations were completed.
Consultants:
Associate Professor Janelle Brennan - MBBS (Hons), FRACS (Urol) Dr Todd Manning - FRACS (Urol), MBBS, PGDipLapSurg, PGDipSurgAnatNurse Dr Thomas Carins - BSci/BBiomedSci, MD, MPH, FRANZCOG
Nurse Practitioners:
David Heath - MNurse Prac (Monash) Post Grad Dip (Monash) RN (Latrobe) CCRN (Latrobe)
Jana Middlemis - BN, Grad CertUrol/ContN, MAdvNur
Practice Manager:
Janet Bennett DipMgt
Practice Nurses:
Karen/Maree/Tanya
Administration:
Ashlee/Mel
Accounts/Billing:
Lucrecia
JANELLE BRENNAN- UROLOGICAL SURGEON
Janelle grew up in Ararat where she attended primary and secondary school and was accepted into Medicine at the University of Melbourne in 1992. She spent her first 3 years in residence at St. Mary’s College where she was the debating and sports captain. she graduated with honours from the University of Melbourne in 1997 and then went on to do further post-graduate surgical training at St. Vincent’s Public Hospital, Melbourne.
Janelle completed her training as a general surgeon in 2003. This was followed by two years of full time research at St. Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne looking at the molecular biology of metastatic bladder cancer. She then commenced urology training in 2006 and became a qualified urological surgeon in February 2009. She completed a further fellowship year at North Shore Hospital, Auckland focusing on uro-oncology and female pelvic medicine and reconstructive surgery (FPMRS).
DR TODD MANNING
Todd had a diverse upbringing growing up in Hamburg (German), Victoria and Western Australia. He was accepted into Medicine at Monash University in 2007, graduating in 2012, and went on to complete Surgical Residency at the Austin Hospital in Melbourne. After a year as Bendigo Health’s first non-accredited General Surgical Registrar, he then completed a 2 year research fellowship within the Department of Urology at the Austin Hospital. During this time, he lectured at both Monash University and Melbourne University in Developmental and Translational
Anatomy and completed two Post-graduate diplomas in Advanced Laparoscopic Surgery (University of Strasbourg, France) and in Surgical Anatomy (University of Melbourne).
He is an accomplished researcher and was awarded the University of Melbourne Surgical Research Prize at the Austin Hospital in 2016. He has published more than 60 peer reviewed research articles as well as contributing as an author to ‘The Junior Doctor Survival Guide’ which remains on both Monash and Melbourne University Medical schools required reading list. His research focus remains in Uro-oncology) particularly penile, testicular and renal cancer) and functional and reconstrutive female and male Urology. He is also the proud founder and ex-president of the ‘Young Urology Researchers Organisation (YURO). He is currently an Associate Editor of the International Journal of Surgery and Australian Journal of Urology and holds a current position on the board of the ‘Innovator’s committee through the Societe Internationale d’Urologie (SIU).
Todd completed his formal training in Urology in 2022 (FRACS - Urology), mentored by A/Prof Janelle Brennan throughout his training and spending his final year at Western Health, with a particular focus in male reconstructive urology and penoscrotal uro-oncology.
DR THOMAS CARINS
Thomas is an obstetrician and gynaecologist who lives locally in the Bendigo region. He completed a Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Biomedical Science at Monash University, prior to completing his Doctorate of Medicine at Melbourne University. Thomas then completed his internship and residency at Austin Health in Melbourne, prior to moving to Gold Coast and Brisbane to undertake obstetrics and gynaecology training. During his training he also completed a Master of Public Health specialising in Quantitative Research Methods at the University of New South Wales.
Thomas completed his advanced training in O&G in Bendigo in the O&G and Urology departments. He has completed advanced training in laparoscopy, colposcopy, and female pelvic floor surgery. Under the tutelage of A/Prof Janelle Brennan and other urological surgeons, he has completed a fellowship in Female Pelvic Floor and Reconstructive surgery to become an advanced female pelvic reconstructive surgeon. Recently Thomas undertook a 2-month clinical observership in Female Pelvic Reconstructive surgery in New York California and Auckland. He has an interest in minimally invasive surgery.
Thomas has a very compassionate approach and customises his care to the unique needs of each of his patients. Thomas operates privately at St John of God Bendigo, and has public appointments at Bendigo Health, Castlemaine Health and Echuca Regional Health. In his spare time, Thomas enjoys going to the gym, travelling and flying small planes.
Our Support Staff
DAVID HEATH – NURSE PRACTITIONER
David (Dave) Heath completed his Master of Nursing Practice and is a qualified Urology Nurse Practitioner. Dave has extensive experience in uro-oncology and was Bendigo’s inaugural specialist prostate cancer nurse, commencing training at Bendigo Health in 2012. He completed his Nurse Practitioner training at the end of 2016 with a focus on uro-oncology, erectile dysfunction and prostate health. Dave has been with Goldfields Urology since 2013. Many of our patients are already acquainted with Dave and he is an integral part of the care team at Goldfields Urology.
JANA MIDDLEMIS – NURSE PRACTITIONER
Jana Middlemis, Nurse Practitioner, who is an integral part of our patient care team in the area of Functional Urology. Jana has extensive experience and expertise in this field and has worked with Janelle and the Urology Team at Bendigo Health since 2014. Jana completed her training as a Nurse Practitioner at the end of 2017 and has a particular interest in Urodynamic testing, female incontinence and prolapse, and male lower urinary tract symptoms. Jana joined Goldfields Urology in 2018. Janas’ main role is working closely with Janelle Brennan. She assesses new patients along with reviews to ensure a team-based approach to care, allowing improved access and enhanced care for our patients.
JANET BENNETT - PRACTICE MANAGER
Janet grew up in Bendigo and has worked locally within the medical administration field for over 40 years. Janet worked as a receptionist for two well respected Ear, Nose and Throat Surgeons for 25 years before moving on to managing the Outpatients Department at St. John of God Hospital, Bendigo, delivering administration support for many local and visiting specialists. She has extensive experience in the medical field and has helped set up several doctors’ private practice in Bendigo. Janet has also completed further study in management (Dip. Mgt) and is a member of the Australian Association of Practice Managers. Janet began working for Janelle Brennan in 2010 setting up her first private practice in Drought Street Bendigo. She now manages Goldfields Urology but still has patient involvement assisting Janelle with her Swan Hill visits. She is looking forward to her extended role as Project Manager of the renovation at our present Goldfields Urology facility.
ASHLEE - RECEPTIONIST
Ashlee joined Goldfields Urology in 2019. Ashlee completed university achieving two degrees and has worked in retail for a number of years, both in Geelong and here in Bendigo, as well as raising a young family. She is enthusiastic and has shown she has a ‘can do” attitude, ready and willing to help in anyway. Ashlee also travels to Swan Hill to assist in reception duties when Janelle is consulting there.
KAREN - PRACTICE NURSE
Karen began working for Goldfields Urology in 2010. Karen has been a Registered Nurse for over 35 years having worked for 30 years at Mount Alvernia/St John of God Hospital Bendigo as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager on the Surgical Ward. Karen is part of the nursing team at Goldfields Urology and assists the doctors with flow rates, urodynamics, minor procedures, patient education and patient medical enquiries. Karen has a special interest in Sacral Nerve Stimulation and works 2-3 days per week at Goldfields Urology.
MAREE – PRACTICE NURSE
Maree began working for Goldfields Urology in 2014. Maree currently works at Goldfields Urology and St John of God Hospital Bendigo on the Surgical Unit as an Associate Nurse Unit Manager. She worked for over 25 years as a Registered Nurse Division 2 and completed a Bachelor of Nursing at Latrobe University in 2009. Maree is part of the nursing team at Goldfields urology and assists the doctors with flow rates, urodynamics, minor procedures, patient education and patient medical enquiries. Maree has a special interest in intravesical botox procedures and pessary management for vaginal prolapse. Maree works 1-2 days per week.
TANYA – PRACTICE NURSE
Tanya began working for Goldfields Urology in 2018. Tanya currently works at Goldfields Urology and St John of God Hospital Bendigo on the Surgical Unit as a Registered Nurse. Tanya is part of the nursing team at Goldfields Urology and assists the doctors with flow rates, urodynamics, minor procedures, patient education and patient medical enquiries. Tanya is also our Research nurse working closely with Janelle in multiple trial work. She works 1-2 days per week.