Our Team
Australian Family Medical is led by sister and brother GP-duo Emma & Jay, with their father, Fritz, bringing his business know-how, we are a truly family owned clinic. Both Emma and Jay are locally trained and up to date GP’s in Hobart. We are excited to provide our community with exceptional healthcare. We will be growing our team as we grow our clinic and will be welcoming more exceptional talent to this healthcare family soon.
Dr Jay Shoemaker
MBBS, MBA(Finance), GAICD, FRACGP
Dr Jay graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2015 before working at the Royal Hobart Hospital, gaining experience in a wide range of specialities and subsequently moving into general practice. Some of the areas he is most interested in include cardiovascular health, urgent medical issues, men’s health and occupational health/workers compensation cases. Jay enjoys general practice as it allows him to deal with a broad range of medical issues and the chance to get to know his patients. Outside of work he is far too into coffee, also enjoying reading, technology, music and snowboarding.
Dr Jay is available Monday through Friday
Dr Emma Shoemaker
MBBS, FRACGP
Dr Emma graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2019 and then went on to complete her internship at the Royal Hobart Hospital. During her hospital training she completed terms throughout a wide range of both medical and surgical specialities before moving into General Practice in 2022 and completing her GP training with extended skills in Emergency Medicine. Emma enjoys the large variety of clinical work in General Practice and is passionate about working with her patients to create a lasting impact on their health. She is interested in child and adolescent health, women’s health, preventative health and lifestyle changes in chronic disease management. Outside of GP Emma is an avid reader who enjoys her book club, a hobby flower farmer and has her hands full with her German Shepherd, Max.
Dr Emma is available Monday through Fridays
Dr Warrick Manning
MBBS, FRACGP
Dr Warrick graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2016. He began his medical career at the Northwest Regional Hospital in Burnie before working in Darwin and Brisbane. He later returned to Tasmania to complete his General Practice training.
Warrick enjoys all aspects of general practice with particular interests in men’s health, occupational health (including workers’ compensation), lifestyle management of health conditions, as well as enjoying staying up-to-date with the latest medical guidelines. Warrick likes the general practice field of medicine because it keeps him interested by the broad range of medical conditions to manage and the ability to work together closely with his patients to improve their health.
Outside of GP Warrick loves keeping active, he enjoys bushwalking, lifting weights, is an amateur snowboarder and likes playing soccer when time allows.
Dr Manning will be available Mon, Wed-Friday
Dr Latika Verma
MBBS, FRACGP, Skin Cancer Medicine
Dr Latika moved to Tasmania in 2010 where she worked at the Royal Hobart Hospital and Launceston General Hospital in various specialities before relocating to QLD for her GP Training. After completing her Fellowship with the RACGP, she returned to Hobart in 2017 and calls it her home.
She is a caring and compassionate GP who has a holistic approach in managing the health needs of individuals and families and being part of their journey through life. Latika has a passion for chronic diseases, preventative health as well as Children and Women’s health. She has a special interest in early detection and management of Skin Cancer as well as General Dermatology like eczema and acne.
Latika also dedicates her time to teaching the next generation of doctors at the UTAS and is part of the Advisory Group for QUIT Tasmania.
Outside of work, she is a busy mum of 2 little kids and enjoys spending time with her family, reading and cooking.
Dr Verma is available on Mondays & Thursdays
Dr Ayush Srivastava
MBBS, FRACGP, Adv Cert Skin Cancer Surgery, Prof Cert Skin Cancer Medicine, Prof Cert Clinical Procedures
Dr Ayush joined the team at Australian Family Medical in October and is an experienced Skin Cancer Medicine and Vasectomy proceduralist GP.
More information coming soon!
Dr Srivastava is available on Wednesdays
Dr Heather McGushin
MBBS, FRACGP, DRANZCOG, Clin Dip Pall Med
Dr. Heather graduated from the University of Tasmania in 2017. She completed her internship in Perth, WA, before working in Geelong, Victoria. During her hospital training, she gained experience across a wide range of medical and surgical specialties. She also pursued extra qualifications in Women’s Health in a Diploma in Obstetrics/Gynaecology (DRANZCOG).
Heather began GP training in Victoria in 2021 before returning home to Tasmania to complete her specialist GP training. She chose a career as a specialist GP as she values working closely with patients and in particular the role she can play in the health of young families and supporting patients through major life challenges. Her special interests are Children’s Health, Women’s Health (including pregnancy & postpartum care) and Palliative Care.
Outside of GP, Heather enjoys pilates, raising her young family, and spending time outdoors in beautiful Tasmania.
Dr Heather is available on Tuesdays and Fridays
Dr Sophie Briggs
MBBS, FRACGP
Dr Sophie was born and raised on Hobart’s eastern shore, and went on to study Medicine at the University of Tasmania. After graduating in 2017, Sophie worked in various roles at the Royal Hobart Hospital, before making the move into general practice in 2022, after completing extended skills training in paediatric medicine.
Sophie enjoys the varied presentations across all disciplines that a day in general practice brings, and has particular interests in women’s health and children’s health.
Outside of work, Sophie can be spotted most weekends at a local Parkrun, or on one of Hobart’s many beautiful running tracks, trails or beaches. She also enjoys reading, cooking and spending time with her husband and Maggie, their West Highland Terrier.
Dr Sophie will be available Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays & Fridays
Dr Adrian Cakra
MBBS, FRACGP
Dr Adrian graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2009. After a few years of postgraduate medical training in Melbourne he decided to pursue a career in General Practice in Tasmania. He completed his GP training in 2019 and now calls Tasmania home.
Adrian has particular interest in managing chronic health conditions (such as diabetes, asthma, and hypertension) and preventative travel medicine. He also has an interest in managing ADHD, depression and anxiety.
Outside of GP, Adrian enjoys travelling and collecting indoor plants. He has 2 cats that keep him busy at home.
Dr Adrian will be available from March 2025
Leanna Brown
Practice Manager
Leanna is an Tasmanian Local who started in General Practice clinics in 2018. She grew to love General Practice for the opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of patients while working closely within a team. Leanna is an experienced Practice Manager with a passion for optimising patient care and streamlining processes to ensure a great experience for everyone. With many clinics often experiencing rapid turnover of medical practitioners, Leanna is passionate about aiming for our medical team stay with her clinics and therefore achieve long term relationships with their patients, improving patient care and satisfaction. Leanna thrives in environments with like-minded individuals and is excited to contribute to the growth of Australian Family Medical!
Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with friends, staying active and healthy by regular exercise at the gym, getting lost in a good book, live-music and being kept on her toes by her attitude riddled labrador Meka.
Margaret Chesterman
Registered Nurse & Nurse Manager
Margaret is a registered Nurse who joined the Australian Family Medical team shortly after the practice opened last August.
Margaret has been nursing for over 30 years. Her career commenced in RHH hospital where she worked in the Burns Unit and Cardiology before specialising in Intensive Care and becoming a nurse in the hyperbaric chamber.
She began working in her local general practice clinic in 2006 and found herself gradually moving away from hospital nursing to focus in this area. She has worked in a number of practice roles over the past 13 years including a training and support role for GPs and nurses, working as a care coordinator for the Cygnet region, as well as working as a nurse in a number of genereal practices. Margaret enjoys all aspects of her role as a general practice nurse, especially getting to know patientss and their families and aiming to provide the best nursing care possible.
Outside of work, Margaret loves spending time with her 2 wonderful daughters, enjoys pilates and water activities such as snorkelling and scuba diving as well as socialising with friends.
Ayla King
Medical Receptionist
Ayla grew up on the East Coast of Tasmania but has called Hobart home for the last 16 years. With over 8 years of experience in administrative roles across a range of various industries in both Hobart and Sydney, she joined the Australian Family Medical team in August 2024. Ayla is passionate about providing exceptional support to both staff and patients, and creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for patients as they receive care. She has always had a strong interest in the healthcare industry and enjoys the personable aspect of getting to know long term patients.
Outside of work, Ayla enjoys camping, beach trips, sharing a glass of wine with friends, and spending quality time with her partner, their dog Bella, and cat Max.
Kate Badenach
Chief Baking Officer
Kate has a wealth of knowledge having worked within various General Practice reception and management roles over the past 6 years. After joining the Australian Family Medical reception and administrative team in October 2024 Kate is excited to contribute to the growth and quality care provided by the clinic.
Kate is passionate about ensuring a welcoming environment for patients and staff and works hard to facilitate cohesive care. Kate also plays a large role supporting in practice management and core operations including accreditation. With a vibrant personality, Kate values making sure everyone is comfortable during their healthcare experience.
When she's not busy brightening someone's day at the front desk, Kate is chasing after her three energetic children or baking delicious cakes to share with her coworkers. She's always finding new ways to add a little sweetness-literally and figuratively-to everyone's day!