Personal profiles on all of our staff members including their professional and personal interests.
The GP’s
Dr Richard Wilcox
Dr Richard Wilcox (MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP) studied at Birmingham University and joined the practice as a Partner in April 2010. Dr Wilcox was a locum at the practice previously before joining as a partner.
Dr Wilcox has a particular interest in palliative care, outside of clinic hours he enjoys outdoor pursuits and horse riding.
Dr Cathie Dunn
Dr Cathie Dunn (MBChB, DRCOG, MRCGP) studied at Sheffield University and joined the Practice as a Salaried GP in 2012.
Dr Dunn has worked in practices in the Midlands, Harrogate and York and is passionate about providing person centred care.
Outside of work she enjoys spending time with her family, especially when they get chance to explore new places with their touring caravan!
Dr Sirvart Yeretsian
Dr. Sirvart Yeretsian (MBChB(Hons) BSc(Int Health) MRCGP) studied at the University of Leeds and since graduating has worked at several practices across Leeds and York.
Dr Yeretsian joined the Unity Health team as a salaried GP in Spring 2014.
In her spare time Dr Yeretsian can usually been found cooking, travelling or walking in the country.
Dr Helen Scammell
Dr Helen Scammell (MBChB, MRCGP, DFSRH) Studied at Sheffield University and completed her GP training in surgeries across Rotherham and York.
Dr Scammell joined the Unity Health team as a salaried GP in July 2016.
Outside of work she enjoys baking, travelling and running.
Dr Wendy Wong
Dr Wendy Wong (MBChB, MRCGP, DRCOG) studied at Leeds Teaching University and completed her GP training in West Yorkshire.
Dr Wong joined the Unity Health team as a salaried GP in July 2017. Prior to joining Unity she spent 18 months working as a Doctor in New Zealand.
Outside of work she enjoys playing tennis, running and spending time with family and friends.
Dr Lizzie Pickles
(MBBS, MRCGP, DRCOG) studied at Hull York medical school, based at the University of York, and completed her GP training in Harrogate.
She joined the Unity team in September 2017.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her young family, mountain biking and attempting triathlons.
Dr Ryan Cochrane
MBBS
Studied medicine at HYMS (York Medical School) and he completed his GP training here in York.
He joined Unity Health in September 2020.
Outside of work he enjoys Mountain Biking and running.
Dr Charlotte Wood
(MBBS, MRCGP)
Studied at Hull York Medical School, based at the University of York and completed her GP training in Harrogate and Northallerton in 2018.
She joined the Unity team in March 2023.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her young family, exploring the outdoors and playing piano.
The Nurse Team
The Nurse Team have a wealth of knowledge and skills that spans many years of training and experience. They can deal with many medical problems, which may eradicate the need for a Doctors appointment. They also run specific clinics on services including Contraception and Travel Advice.
Advanced Care Practitioners
Jem Evans
Prescribing nurse/Women’s health nurse
Elizabeth Ludvigsen
Practice Nurses
Louise Sissons
Hannah Reddington
Nursing Associate
Laura Harrison
Laura is an NMC registered Nursing Associate and Nurse Team Leader, she has been at Unity Health since January 2015 nearly 8 years)!
Her professional interests are anything practical, she enjoys cervical screening, wound care, immunisations and vaccinations.
In her personal life, Laura likes spending time in her garden, watching sport especially the football and going to the races, she also enjoys weekends away and her favourite destination is Dublin!
Health Care Assistants
Charis Bodden
Charis started working at unity health in October 2018. Charis came from an admin background and had always wanted to get into healthcare. After having her daughter she started her healthcare career as a phlebotomist here at Unity and has progressed to senior health care assistant after obtaining her level 3 diploma.
She enjoys spending time with her family, going on long walks in the countryside and dining out. She also has a great love for all things interior design.
Danielle Phillips-Jones
Rachel Heffernan
Rachel started the practice in December 2023 and has come from a healthcare background having worked in the community and also York District Hospital within the surgical wards.
She enjoys spending time with her family and going on dog walks with her cocker spaniel Billy.
Other hobbies include anything Arty, going out for meals, holidays (especially Ibiza!) and watching sport, any sport!
Clinical Pharmacists
Malgorzata Parker
Penny Bates
Katherine Dodsworth
(MPharm MRPharmS)
Kat studied at the University of Sunderland and joined the practice in September 2023.
She completed her pre-registration training in York and has worked in many community pharmacies across Yorkshire and Durham. Before joining the Unity Health team, she worked as a Superintendent Pharmacist.
Outside of work, Kat enjoys spending time with her young children, reading fantasy novels and playing video games.
Umar Ahmed
Callan Mellor
Pharmacy Technicians
Lucy Bond
Lucy is a pharmacy technician for the primary care network but is based at Unity Health, she has worked here now for a little over 2 years but she also has 7 years of community pharmacy background.
Her hobbies are baking, music and movies.
First Contact Physiotherapist
Katie Ramsden
Katie has been in York for 2 years now as a first contact physiotherapist. Prior to this, since qualifying in 20017, she has worked as a physio in a variety of settings including a large NHS hospital, a large private hospital and in the MOD.
Katie’s main hobbies include riding her bikes, skiing and socialising with family and friends.
Care Coordinators
Helen Jones
Prior to Helens role as a care coordinator she worked at St Leonards Hospice and before that spent 11 years at York District Hospital within cancer services.
The care coordinator role launched in July 2021 and Helen says I was very excited to join the team from the very start. It is a very varied and at times challenging role but one that I feel is so worth while and one that is very much needed for our patients our service has thrived as we continue to grow and develop and I am really looking forward to see what we can achieve in the future for our patients, I am very happy to be on board as I love my job.
The Management Team
Managing Partner
Louise Johnston
Executive Assistant
Zoe Gilroy
Zoe has worked at Unity Health since 2020 as our executive assistant, helping with the day to day running’s of the practice. She has worked in the healthcare industry for 15 years.
Zoe has 2 young children who keep her very busy.
Duty Managers
Rhiannon Jones
Rhiannon has worked at Unity Health since April 2019, she started in the reception team, she progressed to the admin team in September 2019 before getting a promotion to duty manager in September 2021.
In her spare time she is very social; she enjoys spending time with family and friends, listening to music and watching true crime documentaries.
Becky Shaw
Becky started at Unity Health May 2023 as Duty Manager and will be supporting the receptionist team daily.
Becky is very much a people’s person and will always try and help others.
Outside of work Becky enjoys spending time with family and friends. Going on long dog walks, travelling.
Nurse Manager
Laura Harrison
Laura is an NMC registered Nursing Associate and Nurse Manager, she has been at Unity Health since January 2015 nearly 8 years)!
Her professional interests are anything practical, she enjoys cervical screening, wound care, immunisations and vaccinations.
In her personal life, Laura likes spending time in her garden, watching sport especially the football and going to the races, she also enjoys weekends aware and her favourite destination is Dublin!
The Reception Team
Our team of receptionists are highly skilled and trained individuals who are there to help you make the most of your appointment experience.
Please be willing to answer questions that they have to ask you – they are trying to direct you to the most appropriate clinician.
If you would like a confidential discussion – please ask the receptionist.
Andrea Metcalfe
Andrea has worked for Unity Health since August 2022 after relocating back to York.
In her spare time she enjoys cooking, horse riding, camping, walking, sewing and reading autobiographies.
Alice Webb
Alice has worked at Unity Health since November 2022.
She is studying English Language and Linguistics at the University of York.
Alice enjoys spending time with her friends and also painting.
In the future Alice hopes to find a career in the speech and language therapy team or policing.
Eleanor Rice
Eleanor has worked as part of the reception team since March 2023.
She is an MSci Psychology student at the University of York on their Neuroscience and Neuroimaging Pathway.
Eleanor is a big reader (especially fantasy and science fiction) and also loves to bake for her university friends.
Gillian Gilmartin
Gillian has worked at Unity Health for over 6 months.
Gillian is family orientated; she had 2 sons and is a grandma to 4 wonderful grandchildren.
She likes to travel and socialist as often as she can.
Margaret Joicey
Margaret started at Unity Health August 2021. Has been married for over 40 years and has 2 grandsons who she enjoys time with.
She enjoys spending time at her static caravan on the coast. She also enjoys looking after her bearded dragon, Oz.
Kay Hudson
Kay has worked as a medical receptionist at Unity Health since September 2020.
Kay’s hobbies are swimming, walking and spending time with her family and friends, she especially likes going for afternoon tea in different places.
Kay loves to read and watch a good box set
Laura Wright
Laura has worked as part of the Unity Health reception team since November 2021.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her family and friends and travelling to different parts of the world.
Laura is currently on maternity leave.
Rohitha Ravuri
Rohitha has worked at Unity Health since January 2023.
She is a full time University of York Masters student pursuing International Business and Strategic Management. She enjoys socialising and shows enthusiasm towards participating in various roles.
Outside of work, she enjoys her time exploring new places, trying to cook, watching TV shows and gaining new skills.
Tavinder Brock (Taz)
Taz has been with Unity Health since September 2019. She enjoys helping patients get the best healthcare options for their needs and signposting to the many clinicians and clinics we have available.
In her spare time, Taz volunteers at her local library and likes to be active, enjoying walking and running with her dog, skiing and spending time with family and friends.
Tom Grant
Tom joined Unity Health September 2023. He studied Human geography in Preston. He loves to travel, having recently returned from a long trip abroad. He enjoys anything outdoors, particularly hiking. He also climb indoors. He likes spending time with friends and family.
Donna Lambert
Donna joined Unity Health September 2023. She has background of caring for people with varying stages of dementia. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her grown up children and 4 grandchildren as well as cooking, reading and travelling.
Selena Blackett
Selena joined the Unity Health team in December 2023. She enjoys being part of the team and when not at work, spends time with family and friends
The Patient Records Team
Our team of Patient Records Administrators are very knowledgeable and keep things running in the surgery, mostly behind the scenes.
They deal with various different tasks and are always happy to help patients and staff with any queries.
Their day to day tasks are scanning, clinical coding, registrations and dealing with record transfers.
Carrie Gavin
Carrie has worked at Unity Health since 2015, originally working on reception for 4 years before moving into the admin team in 2019.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, walking, spending time in the Yorkshire Dales and being with her friends and family.
David Hale
David has worked as part of the Patients Records team at Unity Health since August 2022.
In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his young niece and nephew, video gaming, and always indulging in a good movie.
Erin Bunce
Erin has worked at Unity Health for a year and a half, she started on the reception team before moving in to the patient records department at the beginning of 2022.
Erin is originally from Essex but came to York in 2017 to study for a masters in medieval studies. Outside of work, Erin enjoys reading, learning languages, crochet and embroidery, and playing with her cat.
Mandy Royle
Stephanie Raine
Steph has worked for Unity Health since May 2019 within the Admin team. Alongside her work here she is a trainee Psychotherapist with The Northern Guild for Psychotherapy and counsels a number of clients on a voluntary basis.
In her spare time she likes to read, take long walks with her two Spaniels, and enjoys renovating her 18th Century cottage in the Wolds.
The Medical Secretary Team
Our team of Medical Secretaries are very experienced in all things referral related, any referrals a clinician requests for you is processed by them.
They are also our typing team so will type up any dictations from a GP and produce any letters you may request.
They’re always on hand to help patients and staff wherever they can.
Jackie Popely
Jackie has worked at Unity Health since January 2014, starting off as a member of the reception team then moving on after 5 years to the medical secretary role.
Jackie’s interests are meeting up with friends and going out for a nice meal and a good catch up. She also enjoys reading especially on her holidays.
Debra Gray
Debra started working for us in September 2022, she came to us from Tadcaster Medical Centre after working there for 14 years!
She enjoys good food, wine and chocolate! She also does some running and likes to go for long walks. Debra also has a love for shopping and going on holiday.