Our Team

Our team is here to help realise your dream of creating a family

Cairns Fertility Centre can offer patients a fully integrated clinic with a licensed day hospital on site, together with a dedicated team of staff.

We are committed to delivering a high standard of care through our experienced staff, who will provide you with a personalised service with an aim to assist through your treatment.

Our team provides comprehensive fertility management, with individualised “tailor made” treatment programs, aimed to assist patients who are in need of complex management.

We aim to provide you with the best possible outcome.

Dr Sunthra Lingam

Consultant Gynaecologist & Acting Medical Director

Dr Sunthra Lingam obtained his medical degree in Malaysia in 1991 and later completed his postgraduate training in Obstetrics & Gynaecology at the National University of Malaysia in 1998.

He had previously worked at PIVET Medical Centre and Perth Day Surgery Centre in 2005 - 2006, while undergoing Fellowship training in Reproductive Medicine.

Dr Lingam returned in 2008 to rejoin the PIVET team as a Consultant Gynaecologist. With the establishment of Cairns Fertility Centre and Cairns Central Day Hospital in 2009, Dr Lingam relocated to Cairns.

He has since completed his Masters in Reproductive Medicine with University of New South Wales. His interests are infertility & reproductive medicine, laparoscopic surgery and ultrasound imaging in gynaecology.

Professor John Yovich

Medical Director

Cairns Fertility Centre and Cairns Central Day Hospital''s Medical Director, Professor John Yovich, is widely acknowledged for his pioneering work in In Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) resulting in Western Australia’s first IVF baby delivered in 1982 and the establishment of PIVET Medical Centre.

Professor Yovich and his specialist team have undergone extensive training in the use of keyhole surgery within major infertility clinics both in the United States and United Kingdom. Furthermore, Professor Yovich has been at the forefront of developing advanced laparoscopic techniques.

He continues his role as PIVET Medical Centre and Perth Day Surgery Centre's Medical Director also.

Dr Elizabeth Jackson

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Dr Elizabeth Jackson is an Obstetrician & Gynaecologist practising in Cairns since 2015, and is excited to have joined the expert team at the Cairns Fertility Centre & Cairns Central Day Hospital.

Dr Jackson graduated Medicine at Monash University, Victoria. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Obstetricians and Gynaecology and has additional training in Fertility with a Masters of Reproductive Medicine and Endocrinology (University of New South Wales). Dr Jackson also has a Masters of Minimally Invasive Surgery (University of Adelaide) and is the first Robotically Certified Operating Gynaecologist in North Queensland.

With specialty interests also including obstetrics, the management of abnormal Pap smears, prolapse and menstrual disorders, Dr Jackson is able to offer expert care across a wide spectrum of women’s health issues during each different phase of life.

Dr Jackson’s care from Fertility through to Obstetrics means that patients can be offered unique and personalised care when undergoing Fertility treatment at Cairns Fertility Centre and Cairns Central Day Hospital, with continuity of care all the way through pregnancy and delivery.

Dr Suvi Hyytinen

Obstetrician & Gynaecologist

Dr Suvi Hyytinen is a true local, born in Cairns and grew up amongst the sugarcane fields of Tully, prior to moving to Sydney to complete her undergraduate Medical Degree from the University of New South Wales in 2002.

She spent a further five years undertaking Surgical and Obstetric and Gynaecological residencies at the Prince of Wales Hospital, Sydney Children’s Hospital and the Royal Women Hospital in Randwick, prior to moving back to Queensland to undertake her specialist training.

Dr Suvi obtained her Fellowship from the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in February 2014, after training in various Queensland locations including Nambour, the Royal Hospital for Women, Herston Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns.

She worked as a Staff Specialist at the Cairns Hospital from 2014 to 2016, whilst undertaking a Masters Degree in Reproductive Medicine (UNSW) graduating with an award of excellence in June 2016 and has worked in private practice since.

Dr Suvi is able to provide care for general Gynaecological issues as well as pregnancy care (general Obstetrics) and also offers fertility treatment. She has a special interest in Laparoscopic (keyhole) Surgery.

As a mother of three young children, her own experiences have shaped her view that pregnancy care should extend beyond addressing the physical experiences of pregnancy and birth. She is able to provide a holistic approach to pregnancy care, individualising care for women and families as they prepare for parenthood

Charlene Halfhyde

Accredited Fertility Counsellor

Charlene Halfhyde is a Registered Psychologist with the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency. Charlene is an Associate Member of the Australian Psychological Society. Charlene graduated with Class 1 Honours from James Cook University in 2004. In 2004, she was awarded The Australian Psychological Society's Prize for Psychology and a James Cook University Academic Medal. Charlene is a an Accredited Infertility Counsellor with the Australian and New Zealand Infertility Counsellor's Association and holds full membership with the Fertility Society of Australia. Charlene is also a member of the Centre for Perinatal Phycology and of PANDA.

Charlene is the owner and principal psychologist of Women's Psychological Health. Her practice has been running in Cairns for over 6 years. Charlene also practiced in Melbourne as the sole psychologist providing services for a large medical centre. Charlene was appointed Member of the Human Research Ethics Committee of the Royal Woman's Hospital, Melbourne in 2014.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Women’s Psychological Health

Ph: 07 40321 222
Fax 07 40321 300
Mob: 0412 601 562
6/92 Pease Street, Manoora Qld 4870
charlene@wphealth.com.au
www.wphealth.com.au

Nursing

Cairns Fertility Centre and Cairns Central Day Hospital nurses are trained in assisted reproductive technologies and understand the special needs of patients undergoing infertility treatment. Our nurses act as your primary contact at the clinic liaising with other members of the treatment team on your behalf.

Throughout your time with CFC our nurses will help you to understand the treatment regimens by providing you with written information that may be read and thought about at home, and maintaining contact with you to discuss your results.

Our nurses also provide theatre services including assisting medical staff with egg collections and embryo transfers. Infertility can be emotionally, financially and physically stressful. Our nurses understand this and will support you throughout the process sharing in your joy and empathising with any disappointments.

Remember the nurses are always available to assist you with any questions that you may have regarding infertility or your treatment and that the nursing department also includes nurses with midwifery training who can assist with pregnancy monitoring and planning your delivery.

Director Of Nursing
Kathleen Tyrer

Clinic Coordinator
Jodie Cockerell

Laboratory

At Cairns Fertility Centre we pride ourselves on our highly skilled, experienced and dedicated team of scientists. Each member has an extreme passion for their work and will do their upmost to ensure your treatment is successful.

You will have close contact with our scientists by phone, email or in person as you undertake your journey. The team is dedicated to each and every patient and will strive to provide you with timely, courteous and honest responses to your inquiries. Our team’s goal is to ensure your eggs, sperm and embryos are well looked after, treated with respect and are given the best chance possible. We will ensure that you are well informed and will help you understand your infertility treatment ..... so if you have any questions, please feel free to ask!

Laboratory Director
Jason Conceicao

Administration

The friendly team at Cairns Fertility Centre and Cairns Central Day Hospital are proud to welcome you at our clinic and day hospital.

We pride ourselves in providing quality professional care and support to all our patients.

Our dedicated team are here to assist you with general enquiries, scheduling of doctor consultations and to also provide you with the necessary financial information you may need to assist in your treatment journey.

“We are here to help you”

Director
Jeanne Yovich

Financial Director
Doug Yek

Administration Manager
Carly Smith

Our Team

Our Team

Accreditation

Success Rates

Costs

Patient Rights & Responsibilities

Cairns Central Day Hospital