Dr Saman graduated from the University of Sri Jayewardenepura in Sri Lanka. He worked in Hospital settings and as a GP in Sri Lanka and Australia. He joined Mount Medical Centre from its inception and has continued to date.
His interests are;
Dr Sanjeewa Hewavitharana graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 2012 and continued on to achieve his Fellowship in General Practice in Australia in 2019.
He is interested in many aspects of general practice, including adolescent health, mental health, child health, sexual health, dermatology, emergency care and chronic disease management.
He is also trained in Implanon insertion and removal procedures, skin biopsies and has completed additional training in mental health and skin cancer.
Dr Jeevani Ranaweera is a paediatrician who enjoys managing the care of and treating children of all ages with both acute and chronic general paediatric problems including developmental and behavioural problems. Jeevani obtained her General paediatrics training at Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne, Monash Medical Centre, Birmingham City Hospital and Lady Ridgeway Children's Hospital Colombo.
Special Interests
Dr Saman Punchihewa holds public appointments at Monash Medical Centre and Frankston Hospitals with a significant role in the Neurophysiology department at Monash Neurology. Dr Punchihewa completed his high school in Sri Lanka (Rahula College, Matara). He was awarded an Australian Government Scholarship (John Crawford Scholarship) to study Medicine and Surgery in Australia and also received Dean's Honors in two consecutive years at medical school. His undergraduate medical training was undertaken at Melbourne University and clinical training was at St Vincents's Hospital, Melbourne.
After completion of medical training, he went to New Zealand where he did his Basic physician training at Christchurch and Dunedin Hospitals. Then he completed one year of Neurology post-graduate training through the Adult Medicine Division of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians at Dunedin hospital, before returning to Australia. After seven-month fellowship in neurology with a major component in Neurophysiology testing and research involving stroke, he undertook second year of advanced training in Neurology at St Vincent's Hospital, Melbourne. Dr Punchihewa completed his Fellowship in Neurophysiology at Monash Medical Centre/ Monash Neurology which involved training in electromyography/nerve conduction studies as well as Autonomic reflex screening testing and epilepsy.
Dr Punchihewa is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Association of Neurologists and American Academy of Neurologists and maintains an active interest in undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. He trains advanced trainee neurology registrar at Box Hill Hospital in Electrophysiological testing. Dr Punchihewa has ongoing medical and scientific research interests including long term study of patients with small fibre neuropathy
Special Interests
Dr Myran Ponnam-Palam is a Fertility Specialist with broad-ranging clinical experience in male and female infertility issues, gained in both Australia and the US. He completed his Sub-specialist training in Reproductive Endocrinology and Infertility in Sydney and Melbourne. He first commenced research in the field of Reproductive Science over 20 years ago.
Having grown up in Traralgon, Victoria, he commenced undergraduate studies at Monash University, and completed postgraduate studies at the University of Sydney. He completed a thesis examining the role of progesterone and anti-progestins in modifying reproductive tract receptivity. He also holds a Masters in Medicine from the University of Sydney, in Reproductive Science.
Dr Myran further developed his reproductive surgical skills at the New York Presbyterian Hospital and Columbia University. He is a member of The American Society of Reproductive Surgeons.
The Royal Australian and New Zealand College and The Asia Oceania Federation of Obstetrics and Gynaecology awarded Dr Myran the Young Gynaecologist Award for his work examining the use of AMH in IVF. He also received a Merck Serono award for his presentation on Pelvic complications with IVF
Dr Myran has now returned to Melbourne as a Fertility Specialist with Melbourne IVF. He works in conjunction with Melbourne IVF to co-ordinate and deliver fertility treatments and procedures with a team of professional caring specialists, scientists, nurses and counsellors who are at the top of their field.
While his main office is located in Berwick, Dr Myran consults once a month at Mount Medical Centre.
For more information please feel free to browse through his website. Dr Myran Ponnam-Palam's website: www.myran.com.au⠀
Joc is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with experience across hospital, research and community health settings. She provides practical, evidence-based nutrition support in a warm, non-judgmental environment.
When someone is managing a health condition or recovering from illness or injury, nutrition is rarely “just food”. Appetite, energy, sleep, symptoms and routines can all be affected. Joc supports individuals and families across a range of health needs, including diabetes, heart and gut health, weight management, and women’s and men’s health.
Joc works closely with each client to develop personalised strategies that fit their health needs, lifestyle and cultural preferences. Her goal is to help people feel more confident with food and make realistic, sustainable changes that support long-term health and wellbeing.
