The Women’s Health Clinic at Huon Valley Medical Services has been a fantastic success, with 55 appointments delivered across the first four clinics — and it’s continuing to grow!
We know that many of you are aware of the clinic but may not realise you can access a wide range of women’s health services by booking in with our incredible nursing team — Registered Nurse Lisa Hall and Nurse Practitioner Gayle Rusher, as well as Dr Melissa Catanzarite. Between them, they bring an extraordinary depth of experience and genuine passion for women’s health right here to the Huon Valley. If you’re unsure whether they can help with your particular needs, simply ask when you call to book — the team will be happy to point you in the right direction.
Meet Lisa Hall — Registered Nurse
Lisa brings nearly 25 years of nursing experience, having trained in the UK before returning to Australia and beginning her career at the Royal. Driven by a need for challenge, she moved into remote nursing, working primarily across the Kimberley and Cape York Peninsula.
“In remote areas, a nurse deals with all health situations across the lifespan. You are the health service.”
That experience gave Lisa a deep understanding of the barriers people face accessing healthcare in rural and regional communities — something she carries into her work in the Huon Valley every day.
Lisa spent four years with Cape and Torres Men’s and Women’s Sexual Health Services, flying in to deliver testing and screening during the syphilis outbreak in northern Australia. She then coordinated those same services across Western Queensland and helped establish an Options Clinic for the region.
Lisa is passionate about sexual health screening and accessibility:
“It’s not shameful to be checked. You would check any other health concern you are worried about.”
Undetected sexually transmitted infections can cause serious long-term consequences — including infertility, chronic pelvic pain and increased HIV risk. Many infections have no symptoms. The good news? They’re easily treated — but only if we test.
Sexual health screening is one of the many things you can book in for with Lisa at the Women’s Clinic.
Meet Gayle Rusher — Nurse Practitioner
Nurse Practitioners (NPs) are the most senior and independent clinical nurses in the healthcare system. Endorsed by the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia, they provide advanced, autonomous care — diagnosing, prescribing, referring and managing a wide variety of health needs, much like a GP.
Gayle is a powerhouse of experience, with more than 40 years in nursing and a career that has taken her across some of Australia’s most challenging and underserved communities.
She has worked in rural and remote settings across Queensland — including Doomadgee, Aurukun, and other Indigenous communities — as well as the Kimberley, bringing healthcare to people who might otherwise go without. Gayle also spent 14 years with the Royal Flying Doctor Service, based in both Cairns and Mount Isa — a remarkable commitment to remote healthcare delivery.
Gayle is a qualified Midwife and Child and Family Health Nurse, and holds post-graduate qualifications in dermatology and diabetes education (ADEA accredited). She has completed the FPAA Sexual and Reproductive Health for Doctors course and is currently completing a pessary course. Gayle is also able to provide contraception advice and services, including IUD insertion.
At the heart of everything Gayle does is a passion for empowering women and other vulnerable and minority community groups — giving people real choices and real access to care close to home.
“Giving increased resource options and affordable choices to rural and remote communities in the Huon Valley — that’s what this is all about.”
Gayle values the time the clinic provides to sit with patients, take a patient-centred approach, and genuinely explore health concerns together, drawing on evidence-based and holistic management options.
We are so proud to have Lisa and Gayle as part of the Huon Valley Medical Service team.
📅 Next Clinic: Friday 19 June 2026
Clinics are held monthly on a Friday. For further details and future dates visit Huon Valley Women’s Health Clinic – Huon Valley Council
📞 Call Huon Valley Medical Service to book your appointment today. Phone: 03 6124 2505