Our Cairns Health Management Team
The Health Management team strives to make your experience in seeing the dietitian a positive one. Six very different dietitians bring a varied range of expertise and experience to the practice with four administration staff making up the Cairns team.
Tara Diversi — Managing Director and Accredited Practising Dietitian
Tara Diversi is an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) and the founding director of Health Management. Although it has been argued that she left Cairns to hang out at the beach, she did return with a Bachelor of Health Science and a Masters of Nutrition & Dietetics from Griffith University.
From 2009, Tara does not see individual patients, instead providing training, mentoring and support to her team of dietitians, so they are the top in their field and not only in geography. Tara promotes positive ‘can do’ attitude and innovation in practice amongst the Health Management team, encouraging them to aim to be the best they can be. Tara works with team members in ensuring they are receiving the very best in professional and personal development in their respective fields, which is insurance to our clients, knowing they are receiving advice from experienced and innovative practitioners.
Tara is involved in a range of writing, consulting and speaking work outside of Health Management and is detailed on her website at www.taradiversi.com.
Tara is passionate about all aspects of nutrition but is particularly interested in how food is used to fulfil needs other than nutrition and therefore causes over eating and under eating disorders. She enjoys working with eating disorders, weight loss clients, talking about bowels (not so much around the dinner table, but in her consulting room) and working with women with PCOS and other fertility problems.
Health Management has tried to keep her quiet but when she was appointed to the role of a media spokesperson for the Dietitians Association of Australia, Tara realised she could use these communication skills constructively and regularly contributes to the media in print, television and radio interviews; and writes regular feature articles for newspapers and magazines.
Besides nutrition, Tara is passionate about psychology and business. In 2008, she was awarded a Masters in Business Administration from Deakin University and in 2009, completed her Graduate Diploma in Psychology thanks to the Australian Rural and Remote Health Professional Scholarship Scheme.
Tara continues to be responsible for Health Management’s strategic direction and is now based in Sydney enabling her to oversee National projects.
Camey Demmitt — Senior Dietitian
Camey Demmitt is an Accredited Practising Dietitian originally from Colorado in the United States. Camey arrived in Australia on Australia Day in 2007 with her 17 year old daughter and worked for almost a year in Whyalla, South Australia. She has been a valued member of the Health Management team since late 2007.
Camey completed her dietetics study in the United States in 1999 and as a Registered Dietitian in Colorado, has worked in a variety of settings including as a clinical dietitian in Wyoming and as a community nutrition dietitian working specifically with low-income, minority, and/or at-risk populations across north-eastern Colorado. Additionally, Camey worked in her own private practice providing nutrition consulting services and education for organisations, businesses, and community groups.
Camey’s specialty area within nutrition is Aged Care. Camey works with numerous aged care facilities in North Queensland and trains dietitians nationally to work for better outcomes in aged care. She is passionate about promoting healthy eating, reducing the risk of malnutrition and increase quality of life of our aged care population. She is regularly involved in training programs and contributed to Health Managements Aged Care publications.
Camey also enjoys working with individuals in helping them achieve their goals and impove their health. Her philosophy with nutrition counselling is that it is not just about telling you what to do; but being at your side step by step to help you determine what works best for you and ultimately give you the greatest success possible in your journey towards better health.
Camey is really looking forward to exploring all the things there are to do and see here in Far North Queensland, such as hiking and bushwalking in the rain forests, exploring the Reef, and learning more about the local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander nutrition and culture, as well as other cultures of all the many different groups of people that call Cairns home. Although, it might take her a while to get used to the heat and humidity here in Cairns, after all, she is from the heart of the Rocky Mountains!
Camey is available for consultations at our Cairns practice.
Kate Rogers — Senior Dietitian
Kate Rogers is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with Health Management. Somewhere in between travelling the world, getting married and having 3 children, Kate has managed to hold down a number of positions including Senior Diabetes Dietitian at Royal Melbourne Hospital, Head Community Dietitian for the Central Western Region of Qld and Primary Health Care (Nutrition) Specialist at Cairns TAFE. However she has found her niche in Private Practice and can now lay claim to over 15 years experience as a Private Practice Dietitian (mostly in rural areas) .
In 2008, Kate and her family decided on a tree change and moved to Malanda on the Atherton Tablelands. Kate now operates from our brand new Atherton premises which houses out state-of-the-art DXA bone density machine.
She is passionate about food and cooking and loves giving practical advice for shopping and cooking to help ensure you enjoy what you eat. Kate looks forward to one day when she can find the time to fly off to T uscany and have a long-anticipated gourmet cooking adventure so watch this space!
Kate holds a Bachelor of Science from Griffith University and a Graduate Diploma in Nutrition and Dietetics from Queensland University of Technology. She has a Certificate in Sports Nutrition for Dietitians from the Aust Inst of Sport. She also holds a Certificate in Clinical Bone Densitometry from ANZBMS.
Kate is experienced and up to date in clinical research in the diet-disease relationships of most health conditions including heart conditions, cholesterol, bowel conditions and metabolic conditions. Having children of her own she is well versed in maternal, infant and child nutrition and she also has a special interest in food intolerances. Kate has also been consulting to people pre and post gastric banding surgery for the past 11 years.
She believes that because everyone is an individual with a unique health profile, individual food likes and dislikes, and a family/work life like nobody else, that there cannot possibly be a “one diet fits all” approach. She also knows that different strategies are needed for different people to achieve their goals. That is why Kate likes to take the time to develop a tailor-made program that suits the individual, no matter who they are or what their situation.
Kate is available for consultations, bone density scans and body composition analyses at our Atherton Practice 3 days a week.
Fiona Bannister — Accredited Practising Dietitian
Fiona Bannister is an enthusiastic Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) with a fresh outlook on life. Fiona graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Health Science in Nutrition & Dietetics. She recently moved to Cairns from Newcastle and is eager to explore her new surroundings and settle into the laid back North Queensland lifestyle. Fiona comes to us having previously worked on the ‘Good for Kids, Good for Life’ childhood obesity prevention program run by NSW Health and also has experience in Aged Care.
One of Fiona’s motivating drives is her passion for all things healthy and helping others reach their health goals. Her special interests include diabetes, obesity and food allergies and intolerances. Fiona finds it easy to put a positive spin on things and evoke an optimistic attitude on changing behaviours to improve nutrition and health.
Nutrition is not just about the types food we put in our mouths, but also the behavioural and emotional aspects of eating. Fiona knows this and believes in passing on practical skills and knowledge tailored to suit each individual.
Outside work, Fiona can be found exploring the rainforest, perusing the fresh produce at Rusty’s markets or trying out a new sport.
Fiona is available at our Cairns and Smithfield offices
Cynthia Xu — Accredited Practising Dietitian
The newest addition to the Health Management team, Cynthia is an Accredited Practising Dietitian and an Accredited Exercise Physiologist. She comes to us with experience in corporate health promotion, aged care, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, metabolic rehabilitation and a love of all things food and exercise related. Her previous experience in conditioning amateur athletes also enables her to help guide your eating and exercise for peak sporting performance.
Having recently moved from Sydney, Cynthia can be spotted running about Cairns in her beloved though slightly disgraceful sneakers. Constantly armed with a fork, a spoon and a huge appetite, Cynthia is always on the prowl for good food, which often results in her diving into the Health Management food cupboard. She is therefore keen to help her clients combine healthy living principles with good food.
Cynthia is interested in all relationships between nutrition and health. In particular, she has a keen interest in diabetes, paediatric nutrition and bowel conditions. Having struggled with an irritable gut for most of her life, she understands the pain and the frustration that comes with it. Therefore her advice is empathetic and practical - to make food less of an enemy and more of an enjoyment.
Cynthia believes that your path to health is as individual as your face. Her first aim is to understand her clients before providing advice that can be easily integrated into their lifestyles.
Cynthia is available for consultations from our Cairns and Smithfield offices.
Skye Lindner — Manager
Skye Lindner is a Cairns local who combines enthusiasm and client focus to make your experience dealing with Health Management a positive one.
Growing up in Cairns has given Skye an easy going nature, but when combined with the discipline received from competing in National level representative sport, the outcome combination shows in her ability to produce effectiveness and efficiency which is evident in Skye’s work.
Skye has worked in administration at Marlin Tiles for 10 years prior to coming over to Health Management in 2009. She is responsible for ensuring that Health Management runs as smoothly as possible and our clients and employees are well taken care of.
Skye is available to take your questions about our services and if you have any feedback about your experience with Health Management.
In her spare time, Skye is a beach lover, and has been involved in Ellis Beach surf lifesaving club for many years. She also enjoys music, time with friends and renovating her house.
Grant Patterson (Scooter) — Administration
Look out world – here comes Scooter! Grant is a valuable member of Health Management, where he works part time while pursuing his career as a world class swimmer. He recently broke 6 Short Course World Records (25m pool) in the 50m/100m backstroke, 100m Breastroke, 50m/100m Freestyle and 150 IM at the Australian Short Course Championships in Adelaide June 2011. Not long after he flew over to Canada to represent Australia at the Para Pan Pacs (Long course) in Edmonton, he ended up with a swag of medals 4 silver and 3 bronze, also swimming the fastest time this year in his 150 IM event ranking him number 1 in the world which is also a Paralympic event for London Paralympic games 2012. His goal over the next 12 months is to retain his ranking and win Gold next year at the Paralympics in London for Australia.
Grant is involved in administration work and has particular interest in developing promotional material using his myriad of generation Y technology skills.
Megan Stewart & Caitlyn Henderson—
Reception Extraordinaire's
When you call Health Management, the friendly voice on the end of the line is Megan Stewart or Caitlyn Henderson. Joining us in February 2011 Megan is the newest member to the Health Management team. Caitlyn joined us in 2010 as our junior receptionist while she is completing her high school studies. Megan & Caitlyn are in charge of making your visit to Health Management as easy and enjoyable as possible.
Megan & Caitlyn can assist you in making an appointment, answering some of your questions or putting you in touch with the person who can help you.
When you show up to your appointment early – you never know she may even make you a cup of tea or coffee.
Megan mans our phones from 8.00am – 4.00pm and Caitlyn 4.00 – 5.40pm; being dietitians, we do promote eating lunch, so if you call between 12.20pm and 1.20pm, don’t be surprised to talk to Annie our answering machine who will take your message until Megan returns. Annie also helps out during the day when the phone is running off the hook – please don't be scared to speak with her, until Megan or Caitlyn are available to return your call.
