About Us
This Practice is committed to quality improvement and has met the RACGP standards through the GPA accreditation process. We aim to provide the highest quality of care to all our patients without prejudice.
Alexandra is a small country town in the shire of Murrindindi where in 1979 Dr Talan established a small country practice. In 1987 a young couple, Dr Chris Pearce and Dr Betty Korda, bought the practice after shifting to the country to raise their family. The Downey street clinic, as it was known, was established to meet the growing needs of the community. The practice quickly built up and a third associate Dr Peter Karlick commenced in 1989.
In 1994 Dr Karlick sold to Dr Bill Dwyer and subsequently to Dr Greg Louis, who remained as the sole owner until his passing. Dr Greg Louis originally worked in Alexandra as a placement for an obstetrics course rotation. He enjoyed the diversity of rural medicine so much so that he decided to become a RACGP trainee in family medicine, working at the Downey Street clinic part time until his training was completed. In 1996 he commenced as a full time associate.
For the years of 1991 until 2001 a number of RACGP trainees rotated through the Downey Street clinic and we hope to do it once again if circumstances allow. The Downey Street clinic also had medical students frequently attend placements via the Melbourne and Monash University programs.
In 1998 Drs Pearce and Korda worked in Canada on an exchange program with Dr Hal Irvine, who quickly adapted. During this time Dr Roy Wood from South Africa commenced in the practice. Upon their return Drs Pearce and Korda notified Dr Louis of their intent to sell the practice, and at the commencement of 2000 Dr Bozidar Drulovic joined Dr Louis as an associate. Dr Drulovic was originally from Serbia and specialised in neurology there. Dr Alexandra Murray joined the practice in 2002 as an associate with vocational registration. She completed medicine in the UK and came to Australia seeking a rural environment.
In 2003 the name change to "Alexandra Medical Centre" was bought about through discussion around exploring our vision. It was suggested that a name change to the Alexandra Medical Centre, "AMC", would be of great advantage. Firstly to coincide with complete ownership by the associates. Secondly to better reflect a more dynamic approach to health care. And, thirdly to be more easily recognised by visitors to the town. 2006 saw the start of the refurbishment plan. A complete exterior and Interior overhaul commenced.
Dr Lachlan Fraser, who owns the Marysville Medical Clinic, very kindly stepped in to help after the tragic death of Dr Greg Louis in May 2016. In January 2017 Debbie Skinner took over the ownership of Alexandra Medical Centre. This enabled AMC to continue operating with Debbie as the Director, navigating the many legal and operational minefields. Debbie is dedicated to expand the practice to meet the needs of our growing community and continue with the excellence AMC has striven for over the past 30 years.
Dr Ali Taheri was a very welcome addition to the AMC team in May 2018 until March 2022, and re-commenced at Alexandra Medical Centre in June 2023. Dr Peyman Mohammadi commenced in July 2020, expanding our services to the Alexandra community. Dr Mark Wallace joined Alexandra Medical Centre in December 2021. Dr Shiva Mahdizade joined Alexandra Medical Centre in July 2023.
