Dr Luigi Zolio
Rheumatologist • MBBS (Hons), BMedSc (Hons), FRACP
Dr Luigi Zolio has special interests in systemic lupus erythematosus and Sjogren’s disease. He is also experienced in the management of inflammatory arthritis, difficult-to-treat gout, and osteoporosis. He is enthusiastic about managing all musculoskeletal conditions.
Dr Zolio studied medicine at Monash University, graduating with honours. He undertook specialist training at The Alfred Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. Following this, he completed a Fellowship at University College London Hospital and University College London, UK, with a focus on systemic lupus erythematosus.
Dr Zolio is affiliated with St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne, consulting in the public lupus and general rheumatology clinics. Dr Zolio is completing a PhD at University of Melbourne investigating the long-term outcomes of lupus patients in ‘low disease activity state’. He has published and presented research in lupus, antiphospholipid syndrome, vasculitis, osteoarthritis, and medical education.
Dr Zolio is involved in medical education through roles at Monash University and the Australian Medical Council. He is a member of the Australian Rheumatology Association Drugs & Therapeutics Committee. He was born in Brazil and is fluent in Portuguese.
Dr Michelle Papandony
Rheumatologist • MBBS, FRACP
Dr Michelle Papandony is a senior specialist at three tertiary hospitals including the Alfred Hospital, St Vincent’s Hospital, and the Royal Victorian Eye and Ear Hospital. Dr Papandony has interests in many key areas of rheumatology including inflammatory joint and eye disease, connective tissue disease, vasculitis, and gout. She sees patients with mechanical and non-inflammatory musculoskeletal pain.
Dr Papandony obtained her medical degree at Monash University, finishing with honours. She obtained a scholarship to attend Oxford University in England for her medical elective and subsequently completed her Rheumatology training at The Alfred Hospital and St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne. Dr Papandony has published several research papers in leading international peer-reviewed journals, which have been presented at international conferences. She has been a contributing author to medical textbooks, authoring chapters relating to rheumatological conditions.
Dr Papandony’s main goal is ensuring that you understand your medical condition and the treatment options available to you. In partnership with you, she will develop a plan that is about your quality of life.
Dr Melinda Wong
Rheumatologist • MBBS, FRACP, DMedSc
Dr Melinda Wong graduated from the University of Melbourne and trained at St. Vincent’s Hospital and Monash Medical Centre. She spent 2 years working at Guy’s and St. Thomas’ Hospital, London and gained further clinical and research experience. Her research in London explored the relationship between inflammation and cardiovascular disease in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. This lead to several key publications and she achieved a Doctor of Medical Science at the University of Melbourne.
After her fellowship in London, Dr Wong was head of the biologics clinic at St. Vincent’s public hospital. She is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians and is an active member of the Australian Rheumatology Association. She was co-ordinator of the rheumatology mentorship program for 7 years and she continues to enjoy teaching.
Her private practice is based at Cabrini Hospital, Malvern. She enjoys seeing patients with a variety of conditions including inflammatory arthritis, autoimmune disease and musculoskeletal problems. She helps people better understand and manage their condition, and tailors treatment to each individual.
Dr Tim Godfrey
Rheumatologist • MBBS, DGM, FRACP
Dr Tim Godfrey has been practicing rheumatology for over 20 years and is a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Physicians. Prior to a career in rheumatology, he spent a brief period of time in general practice, paediatrics, and four years in geriatric medicine, where he obtained a Diploma of Geriatric Medicine. After completing training in rheumatology at St Vincent’s and Alfred Hospitals in Melbourne, he then worked for 2 years in the Lupus Unit at St. Thomas’ Hospital, London, gaining extensive experience in managing autoimmune diseases.
Since returning to Australia, Dr Godfrey continues to work as a rheumatologist at St Vincent’s Public Hospital, is head of the rheumatology service at the Eye and Ear Hospital, and his private practice is at Cabrini Hospital.
Dr Godfrey enjoys all aspects of general rheumatology, but has a particular interest in autoimmune diseases including SLE (lupus) and antiphospholipid syndrome as well as inflammatory conditions of the eyes and ears such as uveitis and autoimmune hearing loss.