Dr Michael Bethune
Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist; Obstetric and Gynaecological Imaging Specialist (Ultrasonologist)
Specialist Women's Ultrasound was founded by Dr Michael Bethune. Dr Bethune is a specialist obstetrician and gynaecologist who has undergone further training in order to obtain the sub specialty Certificate in Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound (COGU), and also the Diploma of Diagnostic Ultrasound (DDU). Dr Bethune completed his six years of post graduate training to become an obstetrician and gynaecologist in 2000. During his training, he worked as a senior registrar at Monash Medical Centre, Box Hill Hospital and the Royal Women's Hospital. After becoming an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist he underwent further sub specialty training in obstetric and gynaecological ultrasound at the Mercy Hospital for Women and also at the Royal Women's Hospital, Melbourne.
He is a visiting imaging specialist at the Mercy Hospital for Women and Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne. He has worked for six years at Melbourne Ultrasound for Women with associate Professor Lachlan deCrespigny.
His fields of interest include 3-D and 4-D ultrasound and prenatal diagnosis. Dr Bethune is a founding faculty member of 4-D Australia and was a pioneer of 3 and 4 dimensional ultrasound in Australia.
Affiliations:
Dr Bethune is actively involved in ultrasound education. He teaches obstetric and gynaecology trainees and training radiologists and is a senior lecturer for the University of Melbourne. He has spoken at several national and international meetings.
He has sat on the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RANZCOG) ultrasound sub specialty committee and also on the ultrasound (COGU) Board of Examiners. He is a RANZCOG accredited nuchal translucency assessor.
Dr Bethune is the present Treasurer of the Australasian Association of Obstetric and Gynaecological Ultrasound (AAOGU).
Allison Symons, Associate Genetic Counsellor
Allison completed a Bachelor of Arts/ Bachelor of Science majoring in genetics at La Trobe University. She completed her Masters of Genetic Counselling through the University of Melbourne. Her Master’s thesis, developed in conjunction with the Royal Children’s Hospital’s Plastic and Maxillofacial department, ‘Prenatal diagnosis of cleft lip with or without cleft palate: Prenatal healthcare professionals’ experiences and practice’ explored the counselling and referral practices after the diagnosis of an orofacial cleft. This research is currently being used to inform intake practices at the Royal Children’s Hospital.
Allison is a member of the Human Genetics Society of Australasia (HGSA) and the Australasian Society of Genetic Counsellors (ASGC). She volunteers with Syndromes Without a Name Australia and has contributed to several research projects related to undiagnosed and rare genetic conditions.
Allison can be contacted by phoning the practice on 03 9898 9055 or by emailing [email protected]