Meet our healthcare team

Providing excellence in patient care is at the heart of all our endeavours.

doctorS AT PENINSULA HEART CENTRE

The cardiologists at PHC are a group of Cardiologists working collaboratively, sharing staff, facilities and expertise, to provide excellent patient outcomes.

Dr Greg SZTO

An internationally respected cardiologist, Dr Greg Szto is a resident of the Mornington Peninsula and is committed to the provision and development of heart care for an area that was previously reliant on Melbourne metropolitan services.

Greg is Director of Cardiology at Peninsula Private Hospital, renowned for its comprehensive diagnostic, emergency and elective heart care.

Dr Vivek Gupta

Dr Vivek Gupta is a general and interventional cardiologist who graduated from one of the top medical schools in India in 2004 and moved to Australia where he completed a Master of Public Health at Deakin University in 2007.

On completion of his basic Physician training at the Austin Hospital in 2013, he undertook his advanced training in cardiology in Launceston before concluding his cardiology fellowship at one of the most reputed interventional training programs in Australia, Monash Medical Centre.

Mariusz Wolbinski

Dr Mariusz Wolbinski

Joining our team in late 2020, Dr Mariusz Wolbinski brings with him international experience in interventional and structural heart disease.

A New Zealand trained cardiologist, Mariusz had the opportunity to work with national leaders in cardiology at Wellington and Waikato Hospitals, followed shortly by an advanced fellowship at Columbia University Medical Centre in New York.

His career to date has seen him perform over 1000 coronary artery stenting procedures and 300 trans-catheter aortic valve implants.

Dr Anthony Pisaniello

Peninsula Heart Centre is delighted to introduce Dr Anthony Pisaniello to our group of Cardiologists, having relocated from South Australia to settle on the Mornington Peninsula. His likeminded philosophy and complementary skillset allows Peninsula Heart Centre to continue to provide timely health care service and expert patient care to the local community. As the newest cardiologist at Peninsula Heart Centre Anthony has appointments available to provide general cardiology assessments to the local and wider community and offer advice and support to his GP colleagues.

Dr Hari Sugumar

 

Dr DAVID DI FIORE

Peninsula Heart Centre is delighted to welcome Dr David Di Fiore to our team of Interventional cardiologists having relocated from

his practice in Bundaberg to live and work full time in the Albury Wodonga area. His broad skillset will not only meet the cardiology

demands in the Riverina region but allows us to offer a comprehensive cardiology service in a timely manner.

Our nurses

 

Vikki O’Shea

Vikki is a critical-care (ICU and Coronary care) trained nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, who joined our practice towards the end of 2003.  She met and worked with Greg Szto and other Mornington Peninsula cardiologists in a local Cath lab whilst performing a cardiac technician role.

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She has had vast experience in the ICU, Coronary care and cath lab areas over the years. This experience was shared in her clinical educator role through Monash University and in the training of nurses during their Bachelor of Nursing degree.

There are not many clinical or administrative activities at Peninsula Heart Centre that do not involve Vikki.

She oversees the triage of referrals to ensure patients are seen in the appropriate time frame and ensures that tests the doctors deem necessary prior to consultation are performed, allowing for streamlined and thorough consultations.

She begins the cardiac assessments, facilitates information gathering and formulation of patient management plans during the consultation. Patient education and discussion begins at this time.

ECG Stress testing, BP monitor and Holter rhythm analysis along with remote Pacemaker monitoring and management fall within her realm of practice and experience.

She is adept at assisting at specialised echo studies with bubble or Definity contrast in the diagnosis of PFO or thrombus.

She communicates with patients and doctors and acts as a resource in the doctors’ absence.

She has been instrumental in the introduction of new procedures and in the development of the Structural Heart programs (LAAO and TAVI) within Peninsula Private Hospital. She is the first contact for clinical specialists, patients and their family throughout this procedural process.

Vikki has the important role of Research Co-ordinator of the various clinical research and trials that have been conducted in our practice since 2005.

With Greg Szto as principal investigator, Vikki has had the opportunity to work in over 20 multi-national clinical trials ranging from first-in-man device trials to Phase 3 drug trials. She manages the Human Research and Ethics applications & responsibilities, coordinates patient visits, examinations, CASA-certified shipping of Biologic samples as well as completes all data entry.

Her familiarity with introducing new products (approved and unapproved) has her dealing with organisations such as TGA on a regular basis. This allows our doctors the ability to offer further treatment options to their patients that may not be routinely available. She has established an Authorised Prescriber status for Dr. Szto in the treatment of bifurcation lesions with drug coated balloons and bifurcation stents.

Vikki is well-known to many doctors who have worked with her over the past 30 years and is a familiar face to our patients offering reassurance and continuity of care.

In her spare time, she enjoys a casual round of golf and spending time with her 4 adult children and grand-daughter Bonnie

 

ROBYN Keys

We were delighted to have Robyn Keys join the Peninsula Heart Centre team in April 2021.

As an critical Care Registered Nurse with wealthy background of experience in Intensive and Coronary Care, she was instrumental in the development of a high acuity transport service, managing the assessment and resource allocation for urgent inter hospital transfers requiring  advanced cardiopulmonary support.  She therefore brings with her, a vast knowledge in triage and patient clinical assessment.

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Her gentle approach and patience during clinic puts those in her care and their families, at ease. She offers sound advice and is a support to the cardiologists with whom she is working.

Robyn and her husband spend her free time with her 3 adult children and 6 grandchildren andenjoys regular walks with her quirky French Bulldog Frankie.

TANIA GRUBER

Tania is a Critical Care Nurse, graduating with a Bachelor of Health Science in 1995.  In addition, she holds post graduate qualifications in Critical Care (Emergency), and a Graduate Diploma in Paramedicine. 

Tania has worked in a broad range of clinical settings, specializing predominately in emergency with a special interest in pre hospital care.  She started her career post-Graduation with a Graduate year at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne in Cardiothoracics and Cardiology, which fostered an enduring interest in cardiac healthcare and presentations. 

 

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Other areas of work have included working for a High Acuity Ambulance Transport Service, Emergency Department work, ICU, theatre recovery, hospital in home and several years as part time research assistant.  In addition, Tania has worked internationally in ED and in an emergency ambulance. 

Tania strives to keep up to date with new developments in her field via ongoing training in the workplace coupled with education and training opportunities through the Australasian College of Paramedicine and additionally through her own reading.  She is committed to providing the best care to all patients and sees it as a great privilege to be entrusted in this role.  She feels she has been lucky to have always had a genuine love for the woke she does and values integrity, kindness and teamwork. 

When not at work, Tania enjoys spending time with the people she loves and walking in beautiful natural places. 

Our echocardiographers

 

Kathy

There would be very few patients over the years who have not met and had their echo performed by our warm and welcoming senior cardiac sonographer, Kathy who joined PHC in 2005 to cover a maternity leave. We loved her so much, we never let her leave!

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Hardworking and dedication are words that easily spring to mind when we think about the contribution she has made to our practice. She has always been available to assist our Drs with routine and urgent echocardiograms no matter the day. This has allowed our centre to always provide an excellent and prompt echo service across all sites.

Graduating with a Bachelor of Applied Science in Biophysics & Instrumental Sciences and holding a post graduate qualification in cardiac technology and medical ultrasonography, has provided Kathy with a sound foundation to build a wealth of knowledge and experience in imaging complex pathologies. Having trained at Monash Heart gave her exemplary training and insight into what grew to be her passion. She genuinely enjoys her work.

Her gentle technique has had many a patient close to sleep as she collects the images with skill and precision.

Kathy attends the profession’s Echo Australia conference annually to ensure she stays abreast of current trends and guidelines to add to her vast knowledge in cardiac sonography.

Married to a doctor who uses his mathematical prowess to perform the statistical analysis at Monash University allows Kathy to also play a crucial supportive family role on the home front to both her husband and her daughter.

Her Greek heritage has afforded a special bond with all the Greek patients residing on the Mornington Peninsula. They appreciate her fluent conversations as well as explanations of tests and what to expect from their visit.

In her leisure time, Kathy enjoys her cat Joanie, attending theatre productions, cooking and entertaining friends and family especially when her daughter Nicole visits from Sydney.

Marina

In 2019, we welcomed back our original cardiac sonographer, Marina to complement the service offered at PHC and to help meet growing demands. She brings with her a varied and interesting background. 

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Her introduction to the forays of cardiac care grew from her early training whilst studying Medical Science at Pavlov Medical School in Leningrad. Moving to Australia led her to completing a Bachelor of Applied Science and ultimately her qualifications in cardiac technology and Diploma of Medical Ultrasonography in 2003. This path has provided her with a wealth of experience which she shared with many local cardiologists working at Frankston hospital as chief cardiac technologist/sonographer.

Marina is experienced in all aspects of cardiac echo testing including stress and pharmacological stress echo. This knowledge was shared when teaching cardiac registrars during their imaging training. Not wishing to underutilise her skills, she has the significant responsibility at PHC of continuing the training of the junior sonographers. Her imaging abilities, attention to detail and familiarity with a vast range of heart abnormalities allows her to offer a perfect training environment. The echo staff recognise the wealth of knowledge Marina has to offer and are eager to learn and develop under her watchful eye. Her commitment to training the next generation of cardiac sonographers whilst extending the echo services at Peninsula Heart Centre is invaluable as we welcome new cardiologists into the practice.

In her spare time, Marina is a busy mother of 2 school age children. She enjoys her competition Victorian pennant tennis and a social match with her friends and family

Leanne

 

Zachary

Zac joined the Peninsula Heart Centre team in April of 2019 in a Cardiac technician role. Eager to fulfil a cardiac health role, it did not take him too long to settle in and take on responsibilities. 

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This is primarily the preparation and fitting of Ambulatory cardiac monitors (Holter and Blood Pressure), but he also assists the Cardiologists with ECG Stress tests, ECG’s, and in the consultation setting with the gathering of a basic history and taking vital signs.

Zac completed a Bachelor of Science (Honours) through Monash University, with a major in Human Physiology in 2015. This is where his interest and passion for the cardiovascular system began when learning about cardiovascular anatomy and function. It prompted him to undertake further study and clinical training in Cardiac Sonography through Western Sydney University. He commenced his formal training under the watchful eye of our very experienced senior cardiac sonographers in 2020. This model of training will afford Zac a myriad of heart abnormalities in a busy clinical setting as well as within the hospital environment. The experience of our 3 cardiologists will inject further insight into what he images and how this may relate to the patients’ clinical condition.

Spending time with his wife and two young children, watching movies, playing guitar and his love sports well and truly occupies in his time away from the office.  His enjoyment of travelling and experiencing different cultures grew following his two years in South Africa as a missionary in 2011. This was a life changing and learning experience for him. Lessons learned are evident in his gentle and friendly manner towards the patients and fellow staff members.

 

Brooke

 

Deb

We welcomed Deb to our Cardiac Services team in February 2021.  Commencing her career in admin, Deb quickly developed an interest in allied medical health through her tenure at Dorevitch Pathology.  She soon completed her Phlebotomy qualifications and has most recently continued her training, undertaking a Cardiac Technician role with Peninsula Heart.  

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Deb’s role includes assisting our Cardiologists with patient consults, fitting patients with Holter and BP monitors and supporting the Doctor’s with Stress ECG testing.  A Mornington Peninsula resident, Deb loves to spend her downtime walking the local trails with her husband, 2 daughters and Kelpie Billie

Our researchers

 

Dr Gregory Szto 

READ BIO

An internationally respected cardiologist, Dr Greg Szto is a resident of the Mornington Peninsula and is committed to the provision and development of heart care for an area that was previously reliant on Melbourne metropolitan services. Greg is Director of Cardiology at Peninsula Private Hospital, renowned for its comprehensive diagnostic, emergency and elective heart care. His consulting rooms are located in Frankston (at Peninsula Private Hospital), Mornington and Rosebud.

 

A first-class honours graduate of Monash University, Dr Szto undertook his internship and specialist training at the Alfred Hospital in Melbourne, under the leadership of Associate Professor Aubrey Pitt and Professor Garry Jennings.

Dr Szto completed advanced coronary intervention training at St Vincent Hospital in Indianapolis, USA, under the mentorship of the late Professor Thomas J. Linnemeir, a pioneer in coronary angioplasty. During his four-year tenure, Greg became proficient in various aspects of coronary stenting, including rotablator decalcification atherectomy, valvuloplasty, as well as peripheral arterial angiogram and renal, carotid and iliac artery stenting. He participated in many clinical trials and gave presentations at US cardiology conferences.

On his return to Melbourne in 2000, Greg initiated the coronary angioplasty service at Frankston Hospital. He went on to establish the coronary angiography and stent service at Peninsula Private Hospital in 2003. In his role as Director of Cardiology, Greg oversaw the introduction of a coronary care unit, helped facilitate the direct admission of cardiac patients to the hospital. He collaborated with local radiologists to establish the multi-slice cardiac CT scanning program in 2007. He was involved in the development of an intensive care unit and subsequently the successful introduction of open-heart coronary artery bypass and valve surgery at Peninsula Private hospital in 2012.

As an interventional cardiologist, Greg performs coronary angiograms to diagnose heart artery blockages. He can proceed directly to inserting coronary stents, if heart artery blockages are found. Greg is one of few interventional cardiologists who can also implant pacemakers and cardiac defibrillators for patients with rhythm problems or heart failure.

Greg led the introduction of keyhole aortic valve implantation at Peninsula Private Hospital in 2015. This is a minimally invasive procedure that is of benefit for patients considered too high-risk for open heart surgery.

Dr Szto aims to provide his patients prompt evaluation and medical management, enabling timely recovery and excellent health care. He is committed to offering his patients new and exciting treatments and technologies, allowing them to benefit from constantly evolving innovation in cardiology in the research arm of the practice.

He is active in investigator-initiated and global multinational clinical research. He has recruited many participants into clinical trials which are designed to offer new treatments and drug therapies, in areas including hypertension, heart failure, high cholesterol and heart attacks.

Dr Szto also speaks Cantonese and Malay. He enjoys the kind of travel that indulges his love of photography and maximises time spent with his wife Georgia, and children Hannah and Noah.

Vikki O’Shea

READ BIO

Vikki is a critical-care (ICU and Coronary care) trained nurse with a Bachelor of Science in Nursing, who joined our practice towards the end of 2003.  She met and worked with Greg Szto and other Mornington Peninsula cardiologists in a local Cath lab whilst performing a cardiac technician role.

She has had vast experience in the ICU, Coronary care and cath lab areas over the years. This experience was shared in her clinical educator role through Monash University and in the training of nurses during their Bachelor of Nursing degree.

There are not many clinical or administrative activities at Peninsula Heart Centre that do not involve Vikki.

She oversees the triage of referrals to ensure patients are seen in the appropriate time frame and ensures that tests the doctors deem necessary prior to consultation are performed, allowing for streamlined and thorough consultations. 

 

She begins the cardiac assessments, facilitates information gathering and formulation of patient management plans during the consultation. Patient education and discussion begins at this time.

ECG Stress testing, BP monitor and Holter rhythm analysis along with remote Pacemaker monitoring and management fall within her realm of practice and experience.

 

 

She is adept at assisting at specialised echo studies with bubble or Definity contrast in the diagnosis of PFO or thrombus.

She communicates with patients and doctors and acts as a resource in the doctors’ absence. 

 

She has been instrumental in the introduction of new procedures and in the development of the Structural Heart programs (LAAO and TAVI) within Peninsula Private Hospital. She is the first contact for clinical specialists, patients and their family throughout this procedural process. 

 

Vikki has the important role of Research Co-ordinator of the various clinical research and trials that have been conducted in our practice since 2005.

 

With Greg Szto as principal investigator, Vikki has had the opportunity to work in over 20 multi-national clinical trials ranging from first-in-man device trials to Phase 3 drug trials. She manages the Human Research and Ethics applications & responsibilities, coordinates patient visits, examinations, CASA-certified shipping of Biologic samples as well as completes all data entry. 

 

Her familiarity with introducing new products (approved and unapproved) has her dealing with organisations such as TGA on a regular basis. This allows our doctors the ability to offer further treatment options to their patients that may not be routinely available. She has established an Authorised Prescriber status for Dr. Szto in the treatment of bifurcation lesions with drug coated balloons and bifurcation stents.

Vikki is well-known to many doctors who have worked with her over the past 30 years and is a familiar face to our patients offering reassurance and continuity of care.

In her spare time, she enjoys a casual round of golf and spending time with her 4 adult children and grand-daughter Bonnie

Our practice administrators

 

Georgia

Business Development 

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Together with her husband, Dr Gregory Szto, Georgia was instrumental in the establishment and development of Peninsula Heart Centre.  Having a background in social welfare, Georgia understands the importance of providing comprehensive, patient-centred care and having empathy toward patients and their families. She has ensured this ethos is reflected in all areas of the practice.

Recognising that success in providing a high-quality healthcare service is the sum of its parts, Georgia is selective in engaging staff who share the same practice values and who are highly skilled in their specific area of expertise. She is unwavering in her support of her staff ensuring the work environment is not only productive but a safe and happy workplace. 

She encourages and facilitates self-development, offering opportunities for staff to learn new skills and supports their external education.

Georgia oversees all business development within the practice: Her scope includes everything from purchasing medical equipment, liaising with hospital administration to the project management and design of PHC sites. 

She has a wit and uncanny sense of humour and is a pivotal part of what has become a successful medical practice offering total cardiovascular care to the Mornington Peninsula and beyond.

Jo

Practice Manager

Francine

Office Manager

Sandy

Bookkeeper

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Joining the practice in 2001, Sandy is one of the original members and is responsible for the financial aspects of Peninsula Heart Centre. Although humble about her contribution to the practice, she is a key component to building a successful practice. Sandy works diligently in the background, reconciling all invoicing, debits and credits, and maintains a very rigorous payment process. Sandy ensures compliance and accountability in the practice’s Research and Development activities. She oversees all of the payroll as well as many of the HR functions. She has formed a sound friendship with Greg and Georgia and all staff across the years. Sandy enjoys the balance of her bookkeeping responsibilities with care for her grandchildren and always look forward to her annual holiday to exotic overseas destinations.

Olivia

Accounts

Lily

Liesel

Cardiac Investigations

Our Reception Team

 

Cassie

Berrima

Rebecca

Phoebe

Taylah

Jenny

Morgan