Meet The Team

Dr Stephanie Portanier is a a specialist in family medicine and part of the Professional Services Group Practice.

Dr. Stephanie Palmier graduated as a medical doctor in 2014 from the University of Malta. She furthered her studies with the Malta College of Family Doctors and obtained her specialization in Family Medicine in 2020. Dr. Palmier has experience of working within a hospital setting, as well as in GP practice over the past decade.

Furthermore, she was successful in obtaining the ECEPC qualification. She worked with Hospice Malta, caring for patients receiving palliative care within the community.

Dr. Palmier has a passion for medical education and is a qualified GP trainer with the Malta College of Family Doctors (MCFD).

Over the years, she has worked as a GP mentor and teacher with Bart’s Medical School and the University of Malta. Moreover, she has been a clinical supervisor for the Malta Foundation Programme.

She is a qualified Pilates and fitness instructor and has a special interest in Sports Medicine. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her family and coaching fitness classes.

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Dr Thomas Borg Barthet graduated in 2016 from the University of Malta, underwent Radiology speciality training in Malta and at University College London Hospital in the UK.

He is Currently working at Mater Dei Hospital as a Radiologist with subspeciality training in Uroradiology and General Interventional Radiology with a special interest in imaging and radiological procedures of the male reproductive organs.

Dr Daniel Grixti Soler graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Malta in 2010. He completed his postgraduate specialist training in Allergy and Clinical Immunology at the Università degli Studi di Messina, Italy, in 2023, where he was awarded 50/50 ‘cum laude’. Dr Grixti Soler was awarded a scholarship by the Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust in London, United Kingdom to participate in its clinical observership programme.  

Dr Grixti Soler has authored articles in international medical journals and speaks at international conferences related to allergy and clinical immunology. He is an active member of the Italian Society of Allergy, Asthma, and Clinical Immunology, and of the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology.

Dr Grixti Soler treats adult and paediatric patients who present with food allergies, allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, eczema, skin allergies, drug allergies, bee and wasp sting allergy, and mast cell activation syndrome. He carries out skin allergy tests for common foods, inhalant allergens like pollen and house dust mite, preservatives, cosmetics, metals, and other contact chemical allergens. He also treats patients with suspected disorders of the immune system.  

Dr Wilfred Galea graduated from the University of Malta in 1984. He pursued his postgraduate training in Family medicine in 1987. He started private practice in 1986 and founded the Professional Services Centre in 1996.
He is a founder member and fellow of the Malta College of Family Doctors and was also a founder member of the Association of Private Family Doctors. He founded and actively managed TheSynapse Network for medical Professionals and cme30.eu a dedicated eLearning continuing medical education service for medical professionals.

Dr Corinne Markham graduated in Medicine in 1990 and after finishing her two year internship at Malta General Hospital (St Luke’s), she spent 7 years working at the Accident and Emergency Department.

Acute Medicine was always her passion and she attained her Diploma in Immediate Medical Care from the Royal College of Surgeons in Edinburgh.  Because of pressing demands imposed by a young family, she opted to start working in the community as a family doctor showing a special interest in Women’s Health for which she has a Diploma.

Currently Dr Markham has a Group Practice together with Dr Wilfred Galea.  Operating from Dingli this practice is enjoying growing popularity because of the widespread preventive services which are offered and also because of continuity of care

Dr Markham is the proud mother of two young adults who are presently reading engineering courses at University.

Dr Monique Cachia graduated as a doctor of medicine and surgery from the University of Malta in 2011. After working in numerous specialities she completed the MRCP(UK) diploma and became a member of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. She later started speciality training in Dermatology and worked within the dermatology department at Sir Boffa Hospital and Mater Dei Hospital. Throughout the years she has published numerous articles in both local and foreign journals and has been involved in various audits and studies. She attended numerous courses held abroad covering various fields of Dermatology and obtained the dermatology speciality certificate examination (SCE), finished dermatology training and has been on the specialist register since 2021. After completing her training she worked at Mater Dei Hospital and in the private sector where she specialised in general dermatology and also developed a keen interest in vulval disorders and worked locally at the vulval clinic. Dr Cachia sees both adult and paediatric patients and consults on all aspects of general dermatology including eczema, psoriasis, mole assessments, skin cancers, rashes, acne and hair and nail disorders. She also offers services like skin tag and wart removal as well as surgical excision of skin lesions both benign and malignant.
Dr Cachia has been a visiting assistant lecturer with the university of Malta since 2013 and is a member of the Maltese Association of Dermatology and Venereology (MADV) and of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology (EADV).

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Mr Matthew Sammut is a Consultant General Surgeon with a special interest in Colorectal Surgery and Gastrointestinal Surgery.

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He obtained the Fellowship in the European Board of Surgery (FEBS) in General Surgery (2017), Fellowship at the Royal College of Surgeons (FRCS) (Edinburgh) (2018) and obtained the Fellowship in European Board of Surgery (FEBS) in Coloproctology in 2022. Apart from a successful surgical training in Malta, he underwent two years training at NHS Lothian (Edinburgh) and underwent senior fellowship training at NHS Liverpool University Trust in Colorectal and Emergency and Trauma Surgery. He has also completed his Master of Sciences (MSc.) in Advanced Surgical Practice with the University of Cardiff (2013).

He has published in international journals and presented in international and local surgical conferences. He is currently part of the Faculty of the Surgical Skills in Emergency and Trauma Surgery Course with the Royal College of Surgeons of England. He is a member in the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP) and a Member in the European Association of Endoscopic Surgery (EAES) He is also a Visiting Lecturer with the University of Malta and continues to be involved in the training of surgeons locally and internationally.

Ms Erica Bonello graduated as a speech and language pathologist from the University of Malta in 2020.
She first worked as a Learning Support Educator with students with learning disabilities and later worked as a Speech and Language Pathologist with a local entity which delivers programs for children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and young adults with Profound Multiple Learning Disabilities.

Erica is currently working at Mount Carmel Hospital whereby she delivers services to adults with dysphagia (swallowing difficulties) as well as youths presenting with communication difficulties.

Erica strives to help individuals reach their full potential and achieve their personal goals, all whilst employing evidence-based practice and ensuring a holistic approach.

Dr Joseph Spiteri graduated in Medicine and Surgery from the University of Malta in 1986.  He subsequently studied Psychiatry at Oxford University UK where he obtained membership of the Royal College of Psychiatry in 1993.

In 2016 he obtained an MBA (Anglia Ruskin University) after a dissertation on Psychiatric Services in Malta.  He is also a member of the faculty of Medical Management and Leadership U.K.

Currently, he is a consultant Psychiatrist with special intent in Forensic and Old age psychiatry.  He is also the deputy chair at the department of Psychiatry and senior lecturer at the University of Malta.

Dr Donia Gamoudi graduated from the Malta Medical School as a doctor of medicine and surgery in 2011. After working for 6 years in Malta in various medical and surgical specialties, she moved to the United Kingdom where she furthered her specialist training in Genitourinary Medicine at the Nottingham University Hospital NHS Trust for 3 years. She then became a Consultant in Genito-Urinary Medicine in Malta in 2020.

Her work led to a specialisation in the field of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), HIV, contraception and psychosexual medicine. During her training, Dr Gamoudi also obtained 3 diplomas in Genitourinary Medicine, HIV Medicine and Sexual and Reproductive health, and presented on various topics at both local and international conferences.
She is keen on teaching and taught the HIV and STI modular courses to various medical students and other healthcare professionals.
Donia is an active member of the British Association of Sexual Health and HIV (BASHH), British HIV Association (BHIVA) and the International Union against STIs (IUSTI). She is also the first author of the European guideline on the organisation of a consultation for sexually transmitted infections.

Mr Dorian Xuereb is a specialist orthopaedic and trauma surgeon with a special interest in injuries as well as hip and knee reconstructive surgery.

Mr Xuereb graduated from University of Malta in 2004 and trained in Oxford, UK. He completed his specialist training in general orthopaedics in 2016. He has followed a clinical Fellowship at the trauma unit at the John Radcliffe hospital in Oxford, where he returned for a consultant job at the same hospital one year later.

His areas of interest include injuries (fractures and sport injuries), as well as joint reconstruction of the hips and knees (joint replacements as well as revisions).

He is a member of the Association of Orthopaedic and Trauma Surgeons of Malta. Other commitments include a post as a visiting lecturing post to teach medical students. He is a keen sportsperson himself with many interests including the great outdoors.

Mr Dorian Xuereb areas of expertise:

• Injury and fracture treatment (Trauma)
• Knee injuries
• Sport injuries
• Revision hip replacement
• Revision knee replacement
• Knee replacement
• Hip replacement

Ms Geraldine Ellul Bonici is a registered Systemic Couple and Family Therapist.  After serving in the nursing profession in the late-eighties and early-nineties for about a decade, Ms Ellul Bonici decided to further her studies in Psychology. She read for an honours degree (B. Psy Hons) at the University of Malta and later enrolled in Systemic Couple and Family Therapy training at the Institute of Family Therapy (IFT-Malta) where she achieved a Masters’ degree.

Since achieving her first degree in Psychology, Ms Ellul Bonici started working in the Mental Health Services (MHS) at community level at the Outreach Services, where she visited and supported families in their homes and in their community. Ms Ellul Bonici is currently providing her services at the Psychology Department at Mount Carmel hospital, at the Psychiatric Outpatients and in the Community Clinics. She is also a member of the Befriending programme and of the Acute Response Team (ART), where she supports mental health users and their families.

Ms Ellul Bonici has set up her private practice and provides her service at various localities. She carries out individual, couple, family and group therapy through Systemic practice. Her main expertise with individuals and families is in marital disharmony, couple reconciliation, separation/divorce (before and after), relationship issues, personal development and psychopathology, through systemic psychotherapy.

Mr Robert Camilleri graduated with honours in 1996 and joined our team, at The Professional Services Centre, in 1998.
Over the years Robert has gained extensive experience in clinical, institutional, and outpatient settings and is always striving to update his body of knowledge through courses, both local and abroad.
He has a special interest in general musculoskeletal conditions  and their treatment including the spine, shoulder and knees. Robert has also been working within the rheumatology unit since 1998 and he regularly sees patients suffering from osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and Fibromyalgia Syndrome.

In addition he oversees treatment for clients who have weight management problems leading to reduced exercise tolerance and pain. He is a strong advocate in  empowering patients through education and self motivation to prevent rather than cure.

Mr Joseph N. Borg Consultant Orthopaedic and Spinal Surgeon is Head of Spinal services at Mater Dei University Hospital in Malta

He qualified from The University of Malta in 1991 and after completing his basic surgical training in Malta he transferred to The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital in London. In 1999 he entered the North Thames East Rotation where he was trained in all aspects of trauma and elective orthopaedic surgery. During this rotation his training was based at The Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital and at the University College Hospital London as well as other hospitals in Central and North London including Great Ormond Street, The Whittington and Barnet & Chase Farm NHS Trust where   he was later appointed Consultant.

He also worked in the private sector in Central and North London within the BMI, Nuffield, St John & St Elizabeth,s and Harley Street Hospitals and The North London Spine Centre (w).

In 2004 he was awarded the AO International Spine Fellowship from all of  the UK and transferred to the Spine Education and Research Institute in Denver, Colorado, USA to work with Mike Janssen AO Spine Chairman and in November 2005 he was attached to Professor Juergen Harms at The Spine Unit in Heidelberg, Germany.

He was awarded the Certificate of Completion of Specialist Training by the Royal Colleges in 2005 and was entered on  “Who’s Who in The World” in 2009.

In 2005 he was appointed as Consultant Orthopaedic & Spinal Surgeon at Barnet & Chase Farm NHS Trust in North London. During that time he devoting time to the treatment of patients with spinal disorders including disc pathology (slipped disc and sciatica), degenerative low back pain, spinal stenosis (trapped nerves), spine infections, spinal deformity (scoliosis and kyphosis), spine tumours and spine fractures-including osteoporotic fractures and cervial spine problems. In 2010 he transfered back to Malta to head the Spinal Service, a post which he continues to hold to date.

He has published in speciality journals and lectured nationally and internationally and remains actively involved in clinical education both at undergraduate and postgraduate level. He is currently also the Post Graduate Training Co-ordinator.

He is a Fellow of the British Orthopaedic Association and the Royal College of Surgeons, member of AO Spine International, AO Alumni (Trauma), British Association of Spinal Surgeons, The British Medical Association and of the Société Internationale de Chirurgie Orthopédique et de Traumatologie.

Dr Mark Abela is a Cardiology registrar practicing at Mater Dei Hospital. He has finished specialty training in Cardiology and has undergone a fellowship in Sports Cardiology and Inherited Cardiac Conditions at St George’s Hospital in London. His main academic and clinical interests are athletic cardiac adaptation, cardiac screening, inherited cardiac conditions and cardiac rehabilitation. He is a University of Malta Graduate, having obtained his MD in 2011. He is a member of the Royal College of Physicians of London and is also an MSc Graduate from the University of Edinburgh. He read for an MSc in Internal Medicine (University of Edinburgh) and an MSc in Sports Cardiology (St George’s University, London).  He was the lead clinical investigator for BEAT-IT, a national cardiac screening program in Maltese adolescents (athletes and non-athletes). He has been appointed as the official content reviewer of the 2020 ESC Position Paper on Sports Cardiology on behalf of the Maltese Cardiac Society. He has also recently been appointed an associated editor  on the European Heart Journal of Case Reports editorial board. He sits on the medical committees on both the Malta Football Association and the Maltese Olympic Committee. He is also a medical committee member on the Malta Aquatics Association which has been launched recently. He has presented at several local and international conferences and also has a number of papers in international journals. He is also reading for a PhD in Medicine with the University of Malta, kindly supported by Malta research innovation and development trust (RIDT). He has recently been awarded a research scholarship sponsored by ‘Beating Hearts’.

On a professional level, he is the clinical lead for the Sports Cardiology Unit and Cardiac Rehabilitation Section at Mater Dei Hospital. He is the sports cardiologist for the Malta Football National Team and all national Olympic athletes. He is also the cardiologist for several local football clubs including Hamrun Spartans, Mosta FC, San Gwann FC and Swieqi United. He also screens and manages all national aquatic athletes. His services include reviewing athletes with cardiac symptoms, cardiac evaluation before registration with a new club and routine cardiac screening (history, examination, ECG and Echocardiography).

After qualifying as a medical doctor at Manchester University, Mr John Mamo proceeded with Gynaecology training at University of Birmingham.

Furthermore, Mr John Mamo followed specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology at University of Liverpool.

Since, his appointment in 1994 as Consultant in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Mr John Mamo has been working in hospitals in Malta and Gozo.

Born in 1978 from Mosta. Studied at University of Malta podiatry and graduated in 1999.

Started working at primary health care in the year 2000. Worked in various areas within podiatry including Biomechanics, footwear and orthotics for the seven years.
Mr Gauci us currently working at Mater Dei hospital with the vascular team.

According to Mr Gauci ‘The wellbeing of feet is my mission’

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Ms Angela Sultana is a Consultant General Surgeon with a special interest in Colorectal and Emergency Surgery. She was appointed a Consultant Surgeon in August 2012 and obtained the Fellowship in General Surgery in February 1998.

Angela Sultana has been a Visiting Lecturer at the University of Malta since December 2001.

Besides performing General and Colorectal surgery she is the sole provider of peritoneal access surgery for patients at the renal unit.

She has been engaged in academic and educational activities for several years. She has organized Masterclasses and Training the Trainers courses.

Ms Angela Sultana attends surgical conferences and courses to keep apace with new surgical developments and techniques.

Dr Heidi Gauci Grech graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Malta in 2001. In 2003 she started working in the department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology at St Luke’s Hospital. She furthered her studies in Queen Charlottes and Hammersmith Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London.

She obtained her membership with the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists in May 2012 and has been on the specialist register since July 2012. Currently she work as an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist at Mater Dei hospital with special interest in recurrent miscarriages and infertility.

Dr Gauci Grech also has a Masters in ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Abdomen and Pelvis.

Mr Andrew Mercieca graduated as a medical doctor in 2000. He finished his urology specialist training in 2012 after obtaining his Fellowship of the European Board of Urology.

His main area of interest is male reproductive health, specifically male factor infertility. He is also a Fellow of the European Committee of Sexual Medicine, a Member of the European Society of Sexual Medicine, a member of the British Fertility Society and member of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh.

He has graduated with distinction from Leeds University with  Master of Science degree in Clinical Embryology.

Mr Mercieca is married to Dr Deborah Mercieca and they have four sons.