Our Team

Our Medical Officers

Dr Andrew Cronin - Flight Lieutenant (Retd)

Doctor/Director

MBBS UQ BEng (Hons) MMgtSt UNSW GCertAeromedRet MPH&TM JCU GCertHltSci QUT FACRRM FRACGP (2016) FARGP AFRACMA (2016) MRAeS GAICD

Dr Cronin began his career in the RAAF as an Aeronautical Engineer, with postings to No 2 Flying Training School, the Defence Materiel Organisation, and 33 Squadron. He then pursued his medical degree at the University of Queensland, graduating in 2007. Afterward, he worked at Greenslopes Repatriation Hospital from 2008 to 2010.

Dr Cronin began his Rural Generalist Training in Far North Queensland and Rural Victoria, and in 2016, he earned his RACGP Fellowship, along with a Rural Fellowship and GP-Anaesthetic Qualification. Since 2016, he has been working with Lifeflight and the Royal Flying Doctor Service in Rural Queensland. In 2019, he took on a casual contract with ADF Garrison Support.

He is also a qualified Board Director and holds certification in US Aviation (FAA) and Australian Aviation (CASA) Medicals, along with expertise in Aeromedical Retrievals.

As a Veteran himself, Dr Cronin understands the sacrifices made by those who have served the country. He is deeply committed to ensuring Australian veterans receive the world-class healthcare they deserve.

Dr Steven Smith – Former ADF Civilian Contracted Medical Officer

Doctor/Director

MBBS UQ FRACGP FACRRM (1997)

Dr Steve began his medical journey in 1987 at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, graduating with an MBBS in 1992. He then began his career at Toowoomba Base Hospital before joining Queensland Health, where he served as both a Medical Officer and Medical Superintendent at St George and Dirranbandi Hospitals until 1997.

Dr Steve transitioned into Indigenous Health in 1998, managing the Goondir Aboriginal Medical Centre and General Practice in St George until 2001. After relocating to Brisbane in 2002, he worked in various general practices across the southside of Brisbane until 2013.

In 2014, Dr Steve became a Civilian Contractor for the ADF Garrison Support contract, working in Townsville and South-East Queensland before founding AVHS. He also completed the ADF Aviation Medical Officer Course in 2015.

Dr Steve is dedicated to veterans’ health, driven by a desire to support those who have sacrificed so much in service to their country. He holds deep respect for veterans and their families and is committed to giving back through his work.

Dr Paul Shumack – Group Captain (Retd)

Specialist Occupational & Environmental Medicine

MBBS FAFOEMRACP FACAsM

Dr Shumack is a specialist in Occupational and Environmental Medicine, with a remarkable 50+ years of service in the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF). He held the role of Senior Aviation Medical Officer and served as Commanding Officer at both 3 RAAF Hospital and 6 RAAF Hospital, as well as at the RAAF Institute of Aviation Medicine. Additionally, Dr Shumack was the Chief of Flight Medicine for the Tactical Air Command with the US Air Force.

He completed his medical degree at the University of Queensland and has been actively involved with ‘Variety – the Children’s Charity’ since the mid-nineties, where he currently serves as Director. Dr Shumack also holds the position of Honorary Medical Officer for Variety Queensland and has participated in the annual Variety Bash for over 30 years.

Dr Shumack is passionate about veteran health and finds it deeply fulfilling to support veterans through their physical and mental health challenges. He is dedicated to helping veterans transition smoothly from military to civilian life, ensuring they receive the care and guidance they need.

Dr Dan Pronk - Ex-Army Regimental Medical Officer

Doctor

MBBS FRACGP

Dr Dan Pronk is a distinguished former Special Forces combat doctor with extensive experience in battlefield medicine and veteran health. After studying medicine on an Australian Army scholarship, Dr Pronk completed the rigorous Special Air Service Regiment (SASR) selection course and served on over 100 combat missions in Afghanistan as a frontline special operations doctor.

During his military career, Dr Pronk deployed on five operational tours, including four to Afghanistan. His exceptional service earned him a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his leadership during his second Afghan tour. Dr Pronk represented Australia on the NATO Special Operations Forces Medical Expert Panel, specialising in pre-hospital management of penetrating trauma.

Following his full-time military service in 2014, Dr Pronk has held several key medical leadership positions, including:

Deputy Medical Superintendent at a regional hospital in Queensland Medical Director of the South Australian Prison Health Service Medical Director for TacMed Australia

Dr Pronk holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science, medical qualifications from Flinders University, and an MBA from the University of South Australia. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and has completed an Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators.

As an advocate for veteran health and resilience, Dr Pronk co-authored the bestselling book “The Resilience Shield” and published his memoir “The Combat Doctor: A Story of Battlefield Medicine and Resilience.” Drawing from his personal experience with PTSD, Dr Pronk brings valuable insights into the challenges faced by veterans transitioning to civilian life.

Dr Pronk currently practises emergency medicine while serving as a tactical medical consultant for various police and government agencies. His unique combination of combat experience, medical expertise, and personal understanding of veteran health issues makes him an invaluable asset to Australian Veterans Health Services.

Dr Andrew Ebringer

Doctor

BSc, MBBS, DA(UK), DipRACOG, CTM, MPH&TM, FRACGP

Dr Andrew Ebringer brings extensive experience across health consultancy, military medicine, aero-medical retrieval, occupational health, and primary healthcare. He has held senior roles including Regional Medical Director for Australasia at a global health and security organisation, where he led clinical governance and medical consultancy for government and industry clients in the Asia-Pacific region.

Previously, Dr Ebringer served as Head of Clinical Studies at the Australian Army Malaria Institute, advising on tropical disease prevention and leading vaccine trials. He has also worked as a travel medicine physician, public health advisor and senior lecturer at James Cook University, focusing on vaccine-preventable disease control.

Dr Ebringer was Director of Medical Services for Remote Health in the Northern Territory, overseeing GP and emergency retrieval services to remote communities and fostering partnerships to improve indigenous health outcomes.

He has published in journals including Human Vaccines, Malaria Journal, and Vaccine.

Dr Heidi Faustmann

Doctor

BA LLB, diploma in legal practice, MBBS, RACGP

Dr Faustmann practiced as a lawyer specialising in corporations’ law and medicolegal law. Dr Faustmann then studied medicine at Flinders University of SA, graduating in 2005. Afterwards she worked in general medicine in several public hospitals throughout Adelaide.

Dr Faustmann commenced General practice training in 2019 and received her RACGP Fellowship in 2022. Dr Faustmann travels regularly to Darwin to work in an Indigenous health service and works at times, in remote locations.

Dr Faustmann is passionate about veteran health providing dedicated support for physical and mental wellbeing. She specialises in assisting veterans with their successful transition from military to civilian life, ensuring comprehensive care and guidance.

Dr Reiham Ibrahim

Doctor

FRACGP, MB ChB, AMC Cert

Dr Reiham is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners with over two decades of medical practice. She has provided high quality care to defence members in Wagga and Canberra for over 6 years and has special interests in skin cancer medicine, women’s health, sports medicine, and occupational health.

Outside of her professional life, Reiham enjoys spending quality time with her family, traveling, and volunteering at community events.

Dr Michael Fett

Occupational Medicine Specialist

MBBS(Hons 1), BMedSc(Hons 1), MPH, MD, FFOEM, FAFPHM, FRACGP, DCH

Dr Fett has a broad range of experience spanning accident and emergency medicine, occupational medicine, public health, biostatistics and epidemiology, health and medical research policy and cancer screening evaluation and policy. Most recently, Dr Fett has been a general practitioner in the military garrison environment and Defence Force Recruiting. He has worked in many countries, with the stand-outs being China, Mongolia, Tajikistan and PNG. His experience with veterans started as Principal Investigator for the Agent Orange Epidemiological Studies and worked with the Agent Orange Royal Commission, back in the 1980s.

He enjoys working with service personnel and veterans, and is keen to ensure that veterans are recognised by Australia for their service and its impacts on them and their families.

Our Wellbeing Team

Dr Allana Weir

Clinical Lead Psychologist (QLD)

BCCJ BPsychSc Hons PhD ClinPsych

Dr Allana Weir is a warm, creative, and professional clinical psychologist with over a decade of experience supporting individuals across the lifespan.

A significant part of Allana’s career has been dedicated to working with current and former Australian Defence Force personnel and their families. She has provided counselling through Open Arms – Veterans & Families Counselling and has extensive experience providing critical incident support to ADF members. Through this work, Allana has developed a deep appreciation for the unique stressors, cultural contexts, and strengths within military communities. She is skilled in supporting veterans through service‑related trauma, operational stress, transition to civilian life, and the complex demands placed on individuals in high‑intensity roles.

Allana completed her PhD in Clinical Psychology in 2016 and was awarded the Vice Chancellor’s Medal for Academic Excellence. Allana has presented her work at national and international conferences and is the author of multiple book chapters and peer‑reviewed journal articles. Allana’s research background strengthens her clinical work with these communities. Her doctoral training included a strong focus on neurocognitive functioning, including the ways in which trauma, chronic stress, and blast‑related injuries can affect attention, memory, executive functioning, and social‑cognitive processes. This expertise allows her to recognise and respond to the subtle cognitive changes that can accompany service‑related injuries, and to tailor interventions that support resilience and recovery.

Renee De Beer

Clinical Lead Psychologist (ACT)

Renee De Beer is a registered Psychologist with extensive experience supporting veterans in high-demand and high-risk environments. She currently works with the Australian Veterans' Health Service (AVHS), where she has spent the past year providing direct psychological support to veterans, as well as writing complex reports to support DBA claims. Prior to this, she was contracted to Defence through SERCO as an integral member of a multidisciplinary team at the ACT Defence Health Centre, addressing the diverse mental health needs of active ADF members. Across both roles, her work has encompassed initial intake and assessment, psychometric evaluation, tailored treatment planning, crisis management, risk assessment, and the development of risk management plans.

Renee brings a depth of experience working with vulnerable populations across forensic mental health, corrective services, and child protection settings. She is skilled in evidence-based therapeutic approaches, including CBT, CBT-I, ACT, DBT, motivational interviewing, psychoeducation, behaviour modification, relaxation strategies, and skills training in areas such as anger management, problem solving, and stress management. She has additional training in EMDR and is committed to ongoing professional development in trauma-focused interventions.

With a career grounded in trauma-informed practice, Renee understands the unique challenges faced by veterans and serving members, including the impacts of operational service, complex trauma, and the transition between military and civilian life. Her direct work with veterans through AVHS has further deepened her understanding of the specific psychological needs of this community. She is empathic, strengths-based, and committed to empowering veterans to prioritise their wellbeing and work towards meaningful goals. Renee operates with the highest regard for confidentiality, professional boundaries, and culturally respectful practice, including a deep respect for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Andrea Planamente

Clinical Lead Psychologist (SA)

Andrea is a registered psychologist with extensive clinical experience in various settings, including private practice, public health, geriatrics, rehabilitation, and military mental health. He is a former Psychology Officer in the Australian Army and takes pride in dedicating his work to serving those who serve and have served. Currently, he is part of the dedicated team at the South Australia branch of the AVHS, where they provide exceptional evidence-based care to Veterans. Andrea is committed to achieving meaningful and measurable outcomes for Veterans. He supports their recovery, psychological readiness, and improved quality of life throughout every stage of their transition and beyond. His therapeutic approach combines psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioural (CBT) frameworks, integrating the exploration of relational patterns and unconscious processes with structured, goal-oriented strategies for lasting change. Andrea is fluent in English and Italian.

Melissa Jackson

Psychologist (SA)

Melissa is a Registered Psychologist dedicated to supporting veterans through the unique challenges of military life and transition. She provides confidential, non-judgmental care for a range of concerns including PTSD, anxiety, depression, stress, anger, and substance use. With experience in veteran support services, workers' compensation, and disability employment, Melissa understands the pressures faced by current and ex-serving members, including the complexities of returning to work, managing psychological injuries, and navigating life after service. Melissa's approach is warm, down-to-earth, and collaborative. She offers a safe space where veterans can share their experiences at their own pace. Her practice draws on evidence-based therapies including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), Motivational Interviewing, and relaxation techniques, tailored to each individual's needs.

Amanda Raxworthy

Mental Health Social Worker (ACT)

Amanda Raxworthy is an Accredited Mental Health Social Worker with over 10 years of experience supporting people navigating vulnerable situations and complex mental health challenges. She obtained her social work degree in Sweden and, after relocating to Australia, specialised as a mental health social worker with expertise in evidence-based therapeutic interventions and trauma-informed care.

Amanda tailors support to meet each individual's unique needs. Her compassionate, non-judgemental care combined with practical therapeutic skills equips her to support veterans dealing with the complex interplay of addiction, mental health conditions, and adjustment difficulties.

Amanda is committed to walking alongside veterans on their path to wellbeing, offering specialised support that honours their service whilst fostering hope, resilience, and meaningful change.

Carlo Tropiano

Psychologist (SA)

Carlo is a registered psychologist with extensive experience supporting people across the lifespan, including veterans. He takes a warm, personable, and empathetic approach, creating a space where individuals feel understood, respected, and supported. Carlo works from a strength-based and solution-focused perspective, helping clients identify their existing capabilities while developing practical strategies for moving forward. His therapeutic style draws on evidence-based approaches including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT), with a focus on building resilience, improving wellbeing, and supporting meaningful change. Carlo is passionate about supporting veterans to navigate life’s challenges, reconnect with their values, and work toward a life that feels purposeful and fulfilling.

Our Allied Health Team

Chris Purcell

Physiotherapist (QLD)

Chris is an experienced physiotherapist with more than 20 years of clinical experience. Chris has worked the majority of his career in private practice physiotherapy settings seeing patients with musculoskeletal, sports and occupational (workplace) injuries.

Chris uses a combination of hands-on manual therapy and exercise-based treatment interventions to provide evidence based, patient centred care. Chris basis his care around the three principles of effective treatment, appropriate exercise prescription and honest advice.

Our Medical Officers

Dr Andrew Cronin - Flight Lieutenant (Retd)

Dr Andrew Cronin - Flight Lieutenant (Retd)

Dr Steven Smith – Former ADF Civilian Contracted Medical Officer