About Us

DR TOM SHANNON

Consultant Urologist

Dr Tom Shannon is an urologist with over 15 years experience in prostate cancer and minimally invasive surgery. Following graduation from the University of Western Australia in 1992 he undertook specialty training, completing his Fellowship in Urology in 1999. Post fellowship training was completed in Portsmouth UK, with additional training in minimally invasive surgery in Edinburgh, Scotland and Prostate Brachytherapy in Seattle, Washington.

On his return he was a pioneer of minimally invasive urological surgery in WA, having been amongst the first surgeons in Australia to perform keyhole surgery for kidney cancer, reconstruction, transplantation and partial kidney excision for small tumours. In his early experience, he was mentored by one of the world leaders in keyhole surgery, Dr Indiber Gill from the Cleveland Clinic. After several visits to Cleveland he was able to bring Professor Gill to Perth to teach other urologists in 2005.

He performed the first Laparoscopic Radical Prostatectomy in WA with the pioneering French surgeon, Professor Claude Abbou in 2004. He has vast experience in prostate cancer diagnosis and treatment, having cared for over 10,000 men since starting practice. He has expertise in open, laparoscopic and robotic surgery with over 1500 surgical cases performed.

Dr Shannon is a leader in the development of prostate MRI in WA, undertaking advanced training in 2014 with Prof Jelle Barentsz from Holland. In 2015, in conjunction with the Cancer Council, Dr Shannon brought Dr Barentsz to Perth to educate and train other urologists and radiologists.

For patients who are not suitable for surgery, Dr Shannon is trained in prostate brachytherapy through the Seattle Prostate Institute since 2000. As a high volume and dedicated prostate cancer surgeon he has been able to build a strong team at Hollywood Hospital, dedicated to multidisciplinary care.

He was the first to recognise the importance of of a prostate cancer specialist nurse and developed the role in his rooms with Lisa Ferri. She is the only prostate cancer specialist nurse in a private hospital in Perth in 2012.

Tom Shannon is a strong advocate for men’s health and has been a board member of the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia (WA) for over 10 years. He also serves on the board of the WA Urological Research Organisation, ECU Exercise Medicine Research Institute and Ionic Health. Ionic Health is Australia’s first medical clinic dedicated to the prevention of cancer and chronic disease.

Mr Shannon continues to be involved in teaching and research, having presented at local, national and international meetings. He is a surgical teacher for UWA and mentors students during their final year studies. In his spare time, he balances a family of 3 teenage children and keeping fit as an enthusiastic cyclist and passionate supporter of Ride For Youth.

LISA FERRI

Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse

Lisa Ferri is the Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurse at Hollywood Private Hospital. This role was developed by the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia in 2012 to provide support and assistance to men and their families with a prostate cancer diagnosis. Nursing for over 30 years, Lisa has spent 16 years at Hollywood Hospital, specialising in Urology, Uro Oncology and prostate cancer management. She provides information and support to patients and their families as they navigate the cancer journey. Lisa is dedicated to improving patient healthcare and has contributed to developing patient resources, reviewing models of care, and was invited as an expert advisor to determine information content for the consumers and health professionals component of the Prostate Cancer Rural Roadshow. Lisa is the current President of the Society of Urological Nurses in Western Australia and is one of only two Prostate Cancer Specialist Nurses in Western Australia.

NATALIE MCKAY

The Prostate Clinic Theatre Nurse

Natalie is an experienced Theatre Scrub Nurse, and has been working at Hollywood Private Hospital for 15 years . She has extensive experience in urological surgery and has been in charge of Dr Shannon’s theatre for almost 12 years. Natalie is trained in robotic surgery and ensures optimal care for patients whilst they are in the operating suite.

MELISSA HADLEY BARRETT

The Prostate Clinic Nurse Practitioner and Sexologist
MSN, BSc, Grad Dip Diab Ed, Midwife
Melissa, is a Nurse Practitioner/Sexologist with extensive experience in primary care. Melissa is one of the longest practicing Nurse Practitioners in Australia having qualified 20 years ago. She has post graduate qualifications in sexology, diabetes, midwifery, and wound care. She is passionate about assisting people with sexual function and intimate relationships. Her dual qualification as a Sexologist and Nurse Practitioner enables her to diagnose and treat the physical issues and also assist with the complex psychological aspect of these conditions. Sexual function is not just a physical problem, and it is very important that the issues of the mind are also considered. Melissa has worked extensively with men and their partners experiencing cancer and pelvic surgery related sexual issues. She works collaboratively with medical practitioners and other health care professionals in this area to assist their clients.

Melissa is also a sought-after speaker and educator for health professionals and community members to increase knowledge and education around sexual health.  In 2021 she was invited to be a reviewer of the “TrueNTH International Guidelines for Sexual Health Care in Prostate Cancer Survivorship” (University of Michigan). She was also honored to be a reviewer of “The Health Professionals Guide to Delivering Psychological Care for Men with Prostate Cancer” (2021) by Suzanne Chambers, Nicole Henneka and Jeff Dunn. In a previous work life, she was a remote area nurse and an academic, and has published in international peer reviewed journals on wound care and palliative care.

LOUISE HUG

The Prostate Clinic Pelvic Health Physiotherapist

Louise works as a Pelvic Health and Continence Physiotherapist. She completed her Undergraduate Bachelor of Physiotherapy at the University of Notre Dame in October 2014. She commenced work at a private practice musculoskeletal clinic shortly after. She completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Continence and Pelvic Health Physiotherapy in 2021 and is currently undertaking the final research component of her Masters to be finalised in October 2023.

Louise has worked in the musculoskeletal setting of physiotherapy for eight years treating sports injuries, neck, back and pelvic girdle pain. In 2015 she developed an interest in core activation with muscle balance and co-ordination, subsequently completing a Cert IV in Pilates.

In Louise’s primary school years, she was a full-time gymnast, and these days maintains fitness through tennis, pilates and xtend barre. These experiences have given her a better understanding of injury management and prevention. This drives her to assist others with their return to daily life and sport, after life events such as vaginal delivery, caesarean section, menopause, gynaecological surgery, radical prostatectomy and chronic pelvic pain.

After falling pregnant and having her baby girl in 2017, Louise developed a special interest in bladder, bowel and sexual function, the fundamentals of Pelvic Health. She completed several courses upskilling in Women’s/Men’s Urinary Incontinence and Ano-Rectal Dysfunction to expand her knowledge, leading to a passion in the field of Pelvic Health. Louise had her second child in May 2020, reinforcing her enthusiasm for this area of clinical work.

Louise has always enjoyed assisting both male and female patients with their bladder, bowel and sexual function. The bony pelvis of the male and female are not that dissimilar, nor is the bowel of pelvic floor musculature that sits in the base. For this reason, Louise has developed a particular interest in post-operative recovery from Urinary Incontinence after Radical Prostatectomy. This includes pre-operative training and education as the research reveals significant benefits in recovery time and pelvic floor awareness.

She commenced her position two years ago with The Pelvic Health Clinic, leading to work with Dr Tom Shannon at The Prostate Clinic for the past year. After working with smaller teams being a sole Pelvic Health provider over the past five years, this recent time of mentorship, research, managing a wide variety of patient presentations and guiding each through to a stage of recovery, has been the most valuable and rewarding.

CHRISTELLE SCHOFIELD

The Prostate Clinic Exercise Physiologist

Christelle is an accredited Exercise Physiologist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. She received her Bachelor of Arts (Human Movement Science) degree from the University of the Free State in Bloemfontein, South Africa. Since immigrating to Australia in 2012, she completed a masters and doctorate degree in Exercise Science at the Edith Cowan University, Perth. While Christelle has worked with patients with a variety of clinical conditions over the past twenty years, she is particularly interested in the utilisation of exercise as medicine for people diagnosed with cancer.

Cancer and associated cancer treatment(s) can be physically and mentally debilitating. Christelle is passionate about educating her patients and their loved ones about the important role of exercise, not only as “medicine”, but also as a means of empowerment after a cancer diagnosis. Christelle aims to provide individualised exercise prescription to all her patients, with consideration of their health status and their exercise experience and preferences, to optimise their health and quality of life. Christelle is a strong advocate for multi-disciplinary, patient-centred healthcare and enjoys working as part of a team with a holistic approach to health.

Christelle continues to be involved in exercise oncology research at the Edith Cowan University Exercise Medicine Research Institute. She always strives to practice what she preaches and stays fit by going to the gym and practicing karate.

JUE WONG

The Prostate Clinic Nurse

Jue is a Registered Nurse with over 9 years of experience. She earned her RN qualification from the University of Notre Dame in Fremantle. After graduating, she began her career at Hollywood Private Hospital, where she has worked in a variety of departments, including orthopaedics, plastics, urology and gynaecology, geriatrics, and rehabilitation.

Jue is currently working in the Day of Surgery unit, where she spends most of her time in the procedure room assisting urologists with a variety of procedures, such as flexible cystoscopy, dilatation, IDC insertions, bladder botox, diathermy, prostate biopsy, and others. She also works closely with Dr. Shannon in the procedure room and is a member of the Prostate clinic team, where she focuses on the rapid weight loss program and the LUTS clinic.

Jue is known for promoting evidence-based practice while still considering the individual needs of her patients. She is always willing to go above and beyond to ensure that her patients receive the best care possible.