Our Team

Associate Professor Michael McAuliffe is a Queensland-trained orthopaedic surgeon with a focus on knee and lower limb conditions, sports injuries, and evidence-based care. He completed his medical degree at the University of Queensland, followed by orthopaedic training across Queensland and a sports medicine fellowship at the Adidas Sports Medicine Clinic in Auckland.

He was awarded the ABC Travelling Fellowship in 2016, visiting leading orthopaedic centres in North America, and later completed a PhD focused on knee soft tissue structures — further strengthening his research-driven clinical approach.

Dr McAuliffe currently serves as Director of Orthopaedics at STARS and Deputy Director of the Orthopaedic Joint Registry. He remains actively involved in research, education, and advancing orthopaedic practice.

Alongside his clinical work, he is committed to philanthropic and global health initiatives, including his involvement with Tour de Cure and volunteer orthopaedic work in Fiji. His practice is centred on delivering precise, high-quality care with a strong focus on patient outcomes.

Associate Professor Jonathan Mulford is an experienced orthopaedic surgeon with over 20 years of clinical practice, recognised for his commitment to evidence-based, patient-centred care. He completed his medical degree with honours at the University of Tasmania, followed by specialist orthopaedic training in Sydney, and further advanced his expertise through fellowships in North America and Europe. He also holds a Diploma in Clinical Trials from the University of London, reflecting his strong focus on integrating research into clinical practice. After five years practising at Prince of Wales Hospital in Syndey, he returned to Tasmania where he established Tamar Valley Orthopaedics and now practises at Launceston General Hospital and Calvary St Vincents Hospital.

He has held significant leadership roles, including Head of Orthopaedic Unit and Director of Training, and played a key role in establishing an Australian Orthopaedic Association–accredited arthroplasty and trauma fellowship. He is a current examiner at the Royal Australian College of Surgeons. An Associate Clinical Professor at the University of Tasmania, he is actively involved in teaching and mentoring the next generation of surgeons. His contribution to orthopaedics extends internationally through educational and volunteer work in regions such as the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea. Dr Mulford's clinical interests include hip and knee surgery and trauma, with a focus on delivering clear, evidence-based advice and practical treatment pathways tailored to each patient.

Dr Laurent Willemot is a European-trained Orthopaedic Surgeon who completed his medical degree at Ghent University, followed by orthopaedic training across leading centres in Belgium. He further developed his evidence-based approach through a research fellowship at the Mayo Clinic.

His subspecialty training includes advanced fellowships in hand surgery at Royal North Shore Hospital, along with further fellowship experience at Launceston General Hospital across hand surgery, lower limb arthroplasty, and trauma.

Dr Willemot currently practices as a Staff Specialist Orthopaedic Consultant at Launceston General Hospital, combining high-volume clinical work with a strong focus on delivering practical, patient-centred outcomes. He is also a Clinical Lecturer at the University of Tasmania and actively involved in orthopaedic research.

Alongside his clinical and academic work, he contributes internationally to research initiatives and has undertaken humanitarian surgical work in Cambodia. He is fluent in multiple languages, including Dutch, French, German, Italian, and knows basic Khmer!

Dr Melissa Gan is an Emergency Medicine Specialist with over 20 years of experience across public and private Emergency Departments, including 15 years at Gold Coast University Hospital, with a strong focus on acute injury care.

Her clinical work spans a wide range of presentations, including orthopaedic injuries across all age groups, alongside ongoing practice in private emergency care. She also works in a private orthopaedic acute care clinic and continues to work within multidisciplinary healthcare teams through her role at Sonder.

Dr Gan is Co-Founder and Clinical Director of AVA Orthopaedics, where her work is centred on improving access to early specialist interpretation and clear direction during the critical decision-making period following injury.

As a mother of two, she brings a practical understanding of the impact injury has on patients and families, reinforcing her focus on timely, structured, and patient-centred care.

Outside of work, Melissa enjoys running and understands the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle through all stages of life and recovery.

Sally McAuliffe is a trained physiotherapist with experience across public hospital and private practice settings, and over 20 years leading private orthopaedic clinics, with a strong focus on clinical delivery and patient experience.

She is Founder and Director of a private urgent orthopaedic clinic, with extensive experience in managing multidisciplinary teams and overseeing the delivery of structured, high-quality care pathways.

Sally is Co-Founder and Clinical Director of AVA Orthopaedics, where her work is focused on improving how patients navigate the early stages of injury care, with an emphasis on clarity, structure, and appropriate progression of treatment.

As a mother of five, she understands the pressures injury places on families and carers, reinforcing her focus on ensuring patients receive clear, specialist-led direction early.

Beyond healthcare, Sally has a strong passion for cycling and is actively involved in fundraising for Tour de Cure, supporting initiatives in cancer research and community care.