Meet our GP team
We currently have four GP's on our team here at Next Practice Erina.
Dr Nicole Avard ( books currently closed)
Dr Nicole Avard brings to Next Practice a desire to inspire and innovate. Her 17 years as an Integrative GP has helped her to develop a wealth of experience in understanding the patient journey and meeting people where they are at. Dr Avard harbours a keen desire for education and research and is looking forward to sharing the Next Practice experience with patients, the team and training Doctors alike. She blends her private practice with work in GP Education and Training and as being a Clinical Adjunct with the National Institute of Complementary Medicine.
Dr Susan Kafer ( books currently closed)
Dr Kafer obtained her medical degree at the University of Newcastle in 1989 and completed hospital training at Westmead and Gosford Hospitals. She completed her General Practice training on the Central Coast and obtained her Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 1995 and a Diploma of Obstetrics and Gynaecology.
She has lived and worked on the Central Coast for over 25 years as a GP in Ettalong, Umina, Erina and long term in Kincumber prior to starting at Next practice Erina. Dr Kafer is a caring and compassionate practitioner with special interests in Women's health and shared Antenatal care, Mental health and Chronic Disease management. She has recently also completed her Diploma in Palliative Medicine and end of life care.
Dr Ashley VanLeeuwestyn
Dr Van Leeuwestyn obtained her medical degree from the University of Newcastle in 2019 after first completing a Bachelor of Biomedical Science in 2014. As a Central Coast resident, she decided to complete her Junior Doctor training at both Wyong and Gosford Hospitals. Dr Van Leeuwestyn has completed her training time in rotations such as Paediatrics, Psychiatry, Gastroenterology, General Medicine and Obstetrics & Gynaecology. Ashley has also recently completed a post graduate Diploma of Child Heath with the University of Sydney.
Dr Van Leeuwestyn has lived and worked on the central coast her entire life and is excited to begin her career as a General Practitioner with Next Practice. In her spare time, she loves to walk to beach with her Labrador, Xena and play netball.
Dr Emma Hardwick
Dr Hardwick graduated from the University of Sydney in 2019 and relocated to the Central Coast to begin her training as a Junior Doctor at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals. Dr Hardwick has completed training in a variety of areas including Emergency Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oncology, Anaesthetics and Intensive Care. She obtained a Diploma of Child Health through the Sydney Children’s Hospitals Network and has special interests in women’s health, child and adolescent health, chronic disease management and palliative care.
In her spare time Emma enjoys cycling, running and spending time at the beach with a good book in hand.
