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your anaesthetist...
The guardian as you sleep, ever present and watchful, responsible for your safety and comfort.
Scroll down to find out more about your anaesthetist .
Dr Nerida Robinson
Dr Nerida is the founding member of the RobinsCo practice. She is an Australian qualified specialist Anaesthesiologist, with special interests in plastic and ophthalmic surgery. She maintains an ongoing practice in women’s health and obstetrics as well as orthopaedics and cancer surgery.
Nerida completed her early anaesthetic training in the UK and was awarded Fellowship of the Royal College Anaesthetists in 2018. She is published in the British Medical Journal and has presented at the European Congress of Intensive Care medicine and the Royal College of Anaesthetists Winter Scientific Meeting in London.
She was admitted to Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists following completion of her advanced anaesthetic training in Canberra, where she maintains a teaching role for trainee anaesthetists and governance appointments at three private hospitals.
She has a commercial background prior to medicine, qualifying with Honours in Engineering from the University of New South Wales. She had a successful career providing advisory services to both the United Kingdom and Australian governments on the procurement of major infrastructure projects including the Ministries of Defence and Agriculture in the UK and Royal Children’s Hospital in Melbourne.
Nerida is a country girl at heart, and in her free time enjoys nothing more than baking batches of artisan sourdough, pastries and french provincial classics like Blanquette de Veau. She and Joel won best Cider at the Canberra Brewers winter competition in 2024 and spend their spare time restoring their old farmhouse in the hills near Sutton.
Dr Kurtis Zapasnik
Dr Kurtis Zapasnik is an Australian-trained specialist anaesthetist who has a passion for patient focused and evidence-based anaesthesia. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in Medical Science (BMedSc) and Doctor of Medicine and Surgery (MChD) from the Australian National University then completed a Master of Medicine (MMed) with a focus on Critical Care at the University of Sydney. Following this he went on to attain Fellowship with the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists.
Dr Zapasnik completed the majority of his specialist anaesthetic training in Canberra, however he has also worked in major hospitals in NSW and QLD gaining extensive experience in complex surgeries with a focus on vascular, gastrointestinal, ophthalmic, and liver transplant procedures. He is dedicated to delivering safe, individualized anaesthetic care to his patients, and ensuring their comfort and well-being throughout their surgical journey.
In addition to his clinical work, Dr Zapasnik is actively involved in the education and training of future anaesthetists. He supports the development of anaesthetic trainees through his role as a Supervisor of Training at North Canberra Hospital, being actively involved in teaching both theoretical and practical anaesthetic skills. Dr Zapasnik is also a published author in a peer reviewed medical journal and strives to integrate the latest evidence-based practices into his work, ensuring optimal outcomes for his patients.
Kurt is known amongst his colleauges and surgeons for his sharp wit and ready smile. He ensures a relaxed, smooth efficiency in his theatres, providing steady guardianship of his patients while keeping the team smiling and working at their best performance.
Dr David Phillips
MBBS, FANZCA, BBioMedSc (Hons), MMedSc (Hons), DRANZCOG
Dr. David Phillips is a Specialist Anaesthetist who earned his medical degree from the Australian National University in Canberra. Before pursuing medicine, he trained as both a pilot and a research neuroscientist, contributing to numerous national and international publications. David completed his specialist training in Anaesthetics at The Austin Hospital in Melbourne, followed by fellowships in obstetric anaesthesia at The Canberra Hospital, cancer anaesthesia at Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, and retrieval medicine with the Capital Region Retrieval Service.
David works as a Consultant Anaesthetist at The Canberra and North Canberra Hospitals and also provides anaesthesia services in the private sector.
David is committed to the highest level of patient care. He focuses on clear communication with each patient to ensure their individual needs are met.
David spends most of his free time with his family, and particularly enjoys playing with his young son. As a former light aircraft pilot, as well as having worked in retrieval on the Canberra rescue helicopter, David is passionate about aviation. David has an active lifestyle and enjoys hiking, mountain biking and running.
David is known for his impeccable manners and thoughtful empathy with patients and colleagues. His high level technical skills within retrieval medicine and indeed aviation give him an unmatched ability to fly smoothly through any kind of turbulence offered by the operating theatre environment.
Dr Kalyna Harasymiv
BVSc (hons) MBBS GCCEdu FANZCA
Dr Harasymiv completed an undergraduate degree in Veterinary Science at The University of Sydney in 2005 and worked as a Veterinary Surgeon before returning to university to study postgraduate medicine at the Australian National University, (graduating in 2009) and a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Education, through Flinders University in 2013.
After completing her initial anaesthetic training in Canberra and NSW, Dr Harasymiv moved overseas in 2016 to undergo subspecialty training in trauma critical care and paediatric anaesthesia, intensive care and aeromedical retrieval in Canada, the United Kingdom and Sweden. Dr Harasymiv returned to Australia in 2019 and currently works as an adult and paediatric anaesthetist throughout the ACT.
Dr Harasymiv has been a Fellow of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists since 2017 and is currently undergoing further training to obtain fellowship of the Australian Society of Lifestyle Medicine, in keeping with her strong interest in promoting health and empowering patients rather than just managing disease.
In addition to ensuring the safest care for all her patients, Dr Harasymiv is particularly interested in making the hospital experience for paediatric patients and their families as pleasant, minimally stressful and as "fun" as possible.
Kalyna’s unusal name stems from her Ukranian heritage, meaning “Guelder rose” (Viburnum opulus), a powerful symbol representing beauty, love, and resilience, much like Kalyna herself. Kalyna is a keen sportswoman and foodie, in her free time she can be found cycling in the hills around Canberra or savoring the finest cheeses at farmer’s markets and artisan providors.