Our Team​
Meet the dedicated and experienced doctors, nurses and staff at Griffin Medical Centre. Our team is committed to providing high-quality, patient-centered care to the Griffin community.
Dr. Peter Lawson | MBBS, FRACGP
General Practice Specialist, Aviation & Sports Medicine
With a medical career spanning over five decades, Dr. Peter Lawson brings unmatched depth in general practice, aviation, and sports medicine. A graduate of the University of Adelaide Medical School (1974) and a former Royal Australian Air Force doctor, Dr. Lawson has served across Australia and Southeast Asia – even surviving a near-fatal Iroquois helicopter crash in 1978.
Â
As a certified Aviation Medical Examiner for global authorities including CASA, FAA, and multiple international CAAs, he has delivered critical aero-medical emergency care in high-stakes environments, including Mirage jet operations. His sports medicine expertise was honed at the University of NSW and applied in elite arenas – serving as club doctor for West Brisbane AFC, the Toowoomba Clydesdales, and Coca-Cola Amatil, as well as on-set physician for the Gladiators TV show.
Â
Dr. Lawson has also held naval contracts with the Australian Defence Force and completed advanced underwater medicine training at HMAS Penguin, Sydney.
Â
Today, he continues his practice at Griffin Medical Centre in Brisbane, where his depth of experience, calm under pressure, and strategic diagnostic ability set him apart in the field of General Practice.
English
Dr. Parul Christian​ | MBBS, MSurg (Ophthalmology), FRACGP, Professional Diploma Skin Cancer Medicine & Skin Cancer Surgery, Advanced Certificate in Dermoscopy, Diploma in Child health, Clinical PhD
General Practice Specialist, Ophthalmologist & Skin Cancer Medicine
Dr. Christian is a highly credentialed dual-qualified General Practitioner and Ophthalmologist with sub-specialisation in skin cancer medicine and surgery. She has extensive experience across tertiary & trauma hospitals, and private practice settings throughout Australia.
Â
Her clinical expertise includes comprehensive skin cancer management – ranging from full-body dermoscopic check/surveillance and diagnostic biopsies to complex excisions, flap repairs, and grafts. She is proficient in both surgical and non-surgical modalities, including photodynamic therapy and field treatments with Efudix, Aldara, and immunomodulatory agents. Her skin cancer practice is accredited by the Skin Cancer College Australasia.
Â
In addition to procedural dermatology and ocular health, Dr. Christian manages minor trauma, urgent presentations, and women’s health with a strong focus on evidence-based care and risk stratification.
Â
As an academic with an MPhil and Clinical PhD, Dr Christian is also an OSCE examiner at the University of Queensland and an active clinician-scientist with her research published in peer-reviewed specialty medical journals. She has presented at both national and international medical conferences. She has mentored and supervised numerous registrars in clinical settings and is affiliated with several professional medical organisations.
Â
A strong advocate for integrative, patient-centred care, Dr. Christian is widely respected for her ability to combine diagnostic accuracy with compassionate care. Her unique blend of academic insight and practical experience makes her a trusted clinician for managing complex cases and planning long-term care.
English
Dr Manjula Abeysinghe | MBBS, FRACGP
General Practice Specialist, Paediatrics & Women’s Health
Dr. Manjula Abeysinghe is a dedicated general practitioner with a comprehensive background in emergency medicine and primary care. After earning her medical degree from the University of Kelaniya in Sri Lanka, she practiced for four years before relocating to Australia. In Australia, she gained valuable experience working as a resident in Emergency Department at Ballarat Base Hospital and various departments at Redlands Hospital.
Â
Dr. Abeysinghe transitioned to general practice in the Lockyer Valley, where she served the community until joining Griffin Medical Centre in 2022. Her clinical interests include paediatrics, chronic disease management, antenatal care, and women's health.
Â
Fluent in English and Sinhalese, Dr. Abeysinghe is committed to providing culturally sensitive care to a diverse patient population.
- English
- Sinhalese
Dr. Muhammad Tahir | MBBS, FRACGP
General Practice Specialist, Internal Medicine
Dr. Muhammad Tahir is a seasoned general practitioner with a robust background in internal medicine, having served in tertiary care hospitals. He earned his Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from the University of Health Sciences in 2004 and achieved Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) in 2019.
Â
Prior to joining Griffin Medical Centre in 2021, Dr. Tahir practiced on the Sunshine Coast for five years, where he honed his expertise in chronic disease management. His clinical interests encompass mental health, emergency medicine, and skin cancer treatment.
Â
Dr. Tahir adopts a bio-psycho-social approach to patient care, emphasizing the interconnectedness of physical, psychological, and social factors in health. As an immigrant doctor fluent in English, Urdu, and Punjabi, he is adept at navigating cultural sensitivities and effectively communicating with patients from diverse backgrounds.
- English
- Hindi
- Punjabi
- Urdu
Mr. Sandeep Shankwar
Physiotherapist (Live Actively Physio)
Mr. Sandeep Shankwar is a highly skilled physiotherapist with a Bachelor of Physiotherapy from Charles Sturt University. He is the founder and principal therapist at Live Actively Physio, operating across multiple locations including Griffin Medical Centre.
Â
Sandeep specializes in managing a wide range of musculoskeletal disorders, with particular expertise in treating headaches, neck pain, jaw dysfunction (TMJ), and vestibular conditions such as vertigo. His clinical interests also encompass sports injuries, tendinopathies, dry needling, and myofascial stretch therapy.
Â
Committed to evidence-based practice, Sandeep employs the latest physiotherapy techniques to facilitate patient recovery through exercise, manual therapy, education, and lifestyle advice. He is dedicated to empowering individuals of all ages to self-manage their health, aiming to maximize and maintain their strength and independence.
Â
Beyond his clinical work, Sandeep is fluent in English and Hindi, enabling him to effectively communicate with a diverse patient population. His holistic approach to physiotherapy has been instrumental in helping patients achieve their health goals and improve their quality of life.
- English
- Hindi
