Meet Your Team
Dr Stephen Morris
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
Dr Stephen Morris is an Obstetrician Gynaecologist. His practice is located on level 9 of the British Medical Association House, 135 Macquarie Street Sydney. Dr Morris will encourage, support and advise you throughout your pregnancy, aiming to provide you with the best quality care, from your first visit, to the birth of your child and beyond. He will provide you with options for birth, working with you to develop your own birth plan. Dr Stephen Morris MBBS DCH FRCPI FRCOG FRANZCOG is a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, Fellow of the Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists, United Kingdom and Fellow of The Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. He also holds a Diploma of Child Health from The University of Sydney. Dr Morris completed his undergraduate degree at the University of Sydney and undertook his residency at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital. Stephen was a senior registrar at Monash Medical Centre in Melbourne, where he obtained membership with the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG). Following this, Dr Morris worked overseas for four years, commencing with two years at the National Maternity Hospital and the Rotunda in Dublin, followed by a year at Queen Charlotte’s Hospital and The Royal Free Hospital in London. He also spent a year working at Hospital Cochin in Paris. On his return to Australia, Dr Morris worked as a staff specialist at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital with an interest in high-risk obstetrics, before commencing private practice as a Consultant Obstetrician Gynaecologist in 2002. Dr Morris is an examiner for RANZCOG and a training supervisor for registrars in obstetrics and gynaecology. He is both mentor and teacher to trainee obstetricians and continues to stay abreast of the latest research and advancements in the field.
Dr Kiran Vanza
Obstetrician and Gynaecologist
DR KIRAN VANZA
MBBS (Hons), FRANZCOG, MMed (Reprod), MMed (AdvGynSurg)
Dr Kiran Vanza is a distinguished female Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, with a specialist interest in minimally invasive gynaecological surgery and fertility. She is committed to building a trusting relationship with her patients, tailoring treatment goals to meet individual needs ensuring a respectful, empathetic and holistic approach at all times, empowering women to make informed decisions about their health at all life stages
Dr Vanza graduated with Honours from the University of New South Wales School of Medicine, has completed her FRANZCOG training, undertook her Fellowships in Gynaecology Ultrasound and a two-year fellowship in minimally invasive gynaecological surgery through an AGES-accredited unit. Dr Vanza has also completed a Master of Medicine in Advanced Gynaecological Surgery and a Master of Reproductive Medicine.
Through balancing her medical expertise and nurturing demeanour she strives for the best outcomes for her patients whilst collaboratively working towards creating a unique pregnancy experience or managing a complex gynaecological issue.
Penny Stanbury
Midwife
Penny consults alongside Dr Morris Monday to Thursday, and will provide you with compassionate midwifery support throughout your pregnancy, offering expert knowledge or reassurance during consultations or via telephone when needed. Penny is passionate about educating, supporting and empowering women and their families through the special and significant time of pregnancy and having a baby. Penny sees it as a huge privilege to be part of this process. Penny qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1993 at the University of Technology, Sydney. Following this, she worked both St Vincent’s Private Hospital and The Sydney Adventist Hospital in general medical surgery. Penny knew early on that she wanted to work in women’s health and went on to study Midwifery at The University of Sydney. She became qualified as a Registered Midwife in 1998, and is a member of the Australian College of Midwives Penny worked at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for the past 17 years, across antenatal, postnatal and the delivery ward, supporting women through pregnancy and birth. A career highlight for Penny was in 2007 when she went on a two week medical/surgical team trip to Cambodia, where she had the opportunity to run antenatal clinics for pregnant Cambodian women. Most recently Penny worked at both Royal Prince Alfred and The Mater Delivery Wards.
Angela Smith
Midwife and Lactation Consultant
Angela’s expertise in lactation will be a valuable resource for you, both leading up to the birth of your baby, and in the postnatal period while you are establishing breastfeeding. Appointments with Angela are held in suite 904, across the hall from your appointments with Dr Morris. As a patient of Dr Morris, you have access to complimentary breastfeeding education, and if required, a one-on-one antenatal appointment with Angela. Angela is an extremely experienced and internationally esteemed lactation consultant, registered Nurse, Midwife and Certified Infant Massage Instructor. Angela served on the board of the International Lactation Consultant Association (ILCA) from 2000– 2010 and was President from 2008-2010. Angela was a Nursing Unit Manager in Postnatal at the Royal Prince Alfred Hospital for 27 years. She has been involved in midwifery and lactation education to doctors, midwives, student midwives and thousands of parents. Angela was a partner in APLES – the Australian Professional Lactation Educational Services. From 1990-2003 the partnership educated health professionals all over Australia in the area of breastfeeding, specialising in training for the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners exam. ILCA has official Non Governmental Organization status with the World Health Organization (WHO). Angela is ILCA’s representative for the WHO, involving her attendance at the World Health Executive Board meetings in January and the World Health Assembly meeting in May, both held in Geneva each year.
Coco Banks
Office Manager
Beginning her career in the pharmaceutical realm on the South Coast of NSW, Coco gradually progressed to a management role in pharmacy. Coco ventured to Italy for a year, where she delved into the realm of photography. Upon her return, Coco was given the opportunity to be the Stills Photographer on a feature film. Subsequently, she transitioned into a secretarial role in Cardiology.
Now back in Sydney, Coco is eager to advance her career within the healthcare sector.
Hannah Cameron
Patient Support
Hannah moved to Sydney from central Victoria early this year to begin a Diploma of Screen Acting and is very excited to have joined the team here. Since graduating High School in 2015 she has worked in a family-run general practise and has backpacked around Europe and New Zealand.
Isabel Shulver
Patient Support
Isabel has recently relocated to Sydney from England. In 2022, she graduated from the University of Kent with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Criminology and Sociology, which led Isabel to work as a support worker for a year. After this year, Isabel went travelling for several months, including the East Coast of Australia, which ultimately led her to relocate in Sydney.
Now, as Isabel steps into her role at Sydney Mother & Baby, she is embarking on a new chapter in both her professional and personal life, as a career opportunity but also as a chance to embrace the unique experiences and opportunities that Australia has to offer.
Megan Merrick
Patient Support
Megan has recently relocated to Sydney from Ireland. She studied Adult Nursing in Queens University Belfast, graduating in 2020 and went on to specialise in emergency nursing for a further 3 years.
Megan is currently on a career break to explore Australia and new roles within healthcare.
Hazel O’Donovan
Physiotherapist
Hazel graduated as a physiotherapist from Trinity College Dublin and has since dedicated her time to specialise in Women’s health physiotherapy. Hazel has undergone training and is a member of both the POGP as well as the mummy MOT in London.
Having recently moved from Ireland Hazel is now based at Sydney physio solutions where she sees women for everything from pelvic issues to pre and post natal assessments. Hazel is passionate about empowering women and helping them become experts of their own bodies through movement and education. Hazel is also a qualified pilates instructor having completed courses in both matt and reformer and loves to incorporate this into her treatments when appropriate.
Hazel is passionate about womens health and as part of that, set up the female physio, an online platform offering free resources to women as well as ebooks, workshops and online consultations. For more information you can find hazel on Instagram at @thefemalephysio_
Carmella Baynie
Yoga Teacher
Carmella Baynie has been a guest facilitator, specializing in breathwork, meditation, relaxation, music therapy and prenatal yoga at Sydney Mother and Baby for the past 4 years. Carmella will be taking the Prenatal classes while Portia is on maternity leave
Courtney Edstein
Patient Support
Courtney graduated with a Bachelor of Media and Communications from Southern Cross University. Courtney has several years’ medical administration experience after having worked in general practice across various locations in Sydney.
Portia Selkirk
Yoga Teacher & Patient Support
In 2007 Portia obtained her Bachelor of Arts from University of Leeds UK, and then worked in advertising. She is fluent in Spanish, and teaches Yoga. Portia is a friendly face to greet you here on your arrival and she also facilitates our yoga classes in Sydney Mother and Baby. She has been practicing yoga for over 10 years, completing her teacher training in 2015 before going on to train more specifically in prenatal yoga. Her classes offer a gentle and restorative practice that explore the connection between body and mind, facilitated through breath, to leave you with a sense of well being and clarity. The journey of motherhood brings with it the perfect time to embrace a healthier lifestyle, evoke the divine feminine within us all and ultimately become empowered through this time. Portia feels that it is an absolute honour to be able to share this journey with you and deepen the connection between mother and baby.