The Doctors
Dedicated and diverse doctors
The doctors are as diverse as the patients they serve. They each come from different backgrounds, and have followed varied paths to bring them to General Practice. Their diversity enriches their experience and unites patients with a genuine desire to improve their heath and wellbeing. The patients are fortunate to have a group of male and female doctors who together provide the full range of medical services for the Pottsville and wider Tweed community.
Meet the Medical Team
MBBS FRACGP
Dr Kirsten Patterson
Dr Patterson completed her medical training at The University of Queensland in 2007. Prior to this, she worked in the Tweed and overseas as a High School Science teacher – and this love of education remains with her today. Kirsten has a real devotion to continuing her education and furthering her expertise in General Practice, always seeking to further her study in her key interest area of women’s health. She is also specifically interested in paediatric and adolescent health, skin cancer medicine and geriatric medicine. Kirsten has a special interest and training in travel medicine. As a former teacher, Kirsten is also committed to the mentorship and education of the next generation of doctors and is heavily involved in supervision and training of medical students and general practice trainees. Kirsten truly thrives on the variety of general practice, and enjoys looking after the health of individuals and families of all ages. Dr Kirsten is trained and experienced in Long-acting reversible contraception (LARC) including: Insertion and removal of IUD; and Implantation of hormonal implants and removal. Patients need to phone to make bookings 02 66761744 Dr Kirsten.
BMed/MD , FRACGP
Dr Nicholas Papadopoulos
Dr Nicholas completed his medical studies at the University of New South Wales in 2015 and subsequently worked at St George Hospital in Sydney.
He enjoys working in all aspects of General Practice with specific interests in paediatrics, reproductive, sports and musculoskeletal medicine, having undertaken an additional year in orthopaedics in one of Sydney’s largest trauma hospitals.
Having grown up on the North Coast, Nicholas has now returned with his young family to continue his work in General Practice. He is passionate about providing quality health care and has excellent knowledge of the local community, facilities and services available to help his patients.
BSc (Hons), MBBS, MPH, Dip Child Health, FRACGP
Dr Robin Watts
Dr Watts grew up on the North Coast of New South Wales. She completed her medical training at the University of Sydney in 2002. Prior to medicine she had been working as a research scientist in molecular genetics at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Singapore. She has completed a Masters of Public Health (University of Sydney), as well as furthering her studies in women’s and children’s health. She enjoys the wide range of issues dealt with as part of a community-based health care team, as well as the opportunity to engage with, and support, clients over an extended time course. Robin has worked in practices in the inner western Sydney, Wagga Wagga, and Ballina, but has found true contentment in the Tweed region, where she has settled with her four children.
FRACGP
Dr Erin Martinelli
Dr Erin completed her medical schooling at the University of Western Australia in 2019.
She then worked as a junior Doctor in Perth before moving to regional WA, Albany, to live and work. She relocated to the Northern Rivers NSW area to finish her General Practice training, achieving fellowship in 2025. She is interested in all areas of General Practice, including complex chronic disease management, paediatrics and Women’s Health. Outside of medicine she enjoys running and travelling with her husband.
BmedSci, MBBS, Dip Ch Health, FRACGP
Dr Emily Watt
Dr Emily grew up in Central West NSW and completed her medical training at the University of Wollongong graduating in 2015. Following this she worked as a junior doctor in Coffs Harbour before moving to Northern NSW in 2018.
She enjoys working in all aspects of general practice with specific interests in women’s health, chronic disease and paediatric and adolescent health. She has completed her diploma of child health and has also done further training in women’s health. Emily has worked in practices in Bellingen, Mullumbimby and Miami but has recently settled in the Tweed Region for the long term with her young family. She is passionate about looking after her client’s health and providing continuity of care for people of all ages.
MBBS MRCGP MRCSEd DRCOG
Dr Luke Eschle
Luke completed his medical training at University College London in 2001, Basic Surgical Training in London in 2005 and General Practice training in Cambridge in 2009. He is passionate about general practice and has had a rewarding career in the UK and is looking forward to new challenges in Pottsville.
He loves learning and keeping up to date with new developments and feels fortunate to have experience in most specialties including General and Orthopaedic surgery, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Paediatrics, Elderly Care, Psychiatry, Family Planning and Genitourinary Medicine. He performs musculoskeletal injections, skin lesion excision and nail surgery.
Luke enjoys all aspects of general practice. He particularly values communication, evidence based practice and continuity of care.
Luke has moved to Pottsville with his wife (whom he married in Canberra a few years ago) and three young children. He was a keen runner who completed marathons including Loch Ness, London and Cairns. He’s now limited to shorter distances due to some knee problems but still loves chasing his children around.
BMed BSurg
Dr Thoi Dao
Dr Thoi Dao completed his medical degree in Geelong at Deakin University in 2019 and undertook postgraduate resident training at Gold Coast University Hospital. He has a background in General Medicine, Cardiology, Critical Care prior to commencing GP training.
Thoi enjoys providing thorough, patient-centered care across all areas of General Practice, including complex chronic disease management, mens health, paediatrics, travel medicine, geriatrics, mental health and preventative medicine. Outside of medicine, he enjoys hiking, photography and yoga.