Our Team

About Dr. Shivani

MBBS MD FRACP PhD

Dr Shivani is a paediatric gastroenterologist and developmental paediatrician. She is a fellow of the Royal Australasian college of physicians and is accredited to perform endoscopic procedures on children by the conjoint committee for recognition of training in endoscopy. Dr Shivani performs her endoscopies through Epworth Hospital, Richmond.

Education & Training

Dr Shivani has had an extensive training in paediatric gastroenterology having worked at Royal Children’s Hospital, Monash Children’s Hospital and Alfred hospital. She also completed a PhD on “Variation of Microbiome in Paediatric Crohn’s Disease” via the Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne.

Besides paediatric gastroenterology, Dr Shivani is also interested in developmental and behavioural paediatrics. She is trained to perform formal assessments for autism and ADHD. She also has special interest in adolescent mental health. She loves to read and do gardening in her spare time.

Mentoring & Research

Besides clinical work, Dr Shivani is interested in mentoring and research. Shivani is currently supervising a research project at Melton Community Health and is working on another project. She also performs public service through Western Health and leads the Autism Assessment Service for Melton Community Paediatrics.

Being a mother to two young children, Dr Shivani understands very well the challenges that come with raising children. She always endeavours to provide the best care to her patients and will walk the extra mile to ensure their safety and wellbeing.

Dr Shivani is well conversant in Hindi, Punjabi and Urdu besides English.

Clinical Interests

  • Coeliac Disease
  • Adolescent mental health
  • Inflammatory Bowel Disease
  • Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders
  • IBS
  • ADHD
  • Autism
  • Developmental disorders of childhood

Fellow of The Royal Australasian College of Physicians

Niyousha Alizadeh

Paediatric and adult dietitian
BAppSc, MDietPrac, APD.

Niyousha is an Accredited Practising Dietitian with a special interest in eating disorders. She completed her Bachelor of Applied Science/ Master of Dietetic Practice at La Trobe University in 2024 and is currently undergoing a Graduate Certificate of Mental Health (La Trobe University). Niyousha has worked with children and their families in various settings including Reliance Care Medical Centre, A Peace Corner, and Fundamental Dietetics.

Niyousha provides compassionate and evidence-based nutrition support for children and adolescents experiencing challenges with food and body image. She works closely with families, GPs, psychologists, and other health professionals to ensure care is safe, supportive, and tailored to each child’s needs.

She focuses on helping young people restore a positive relationship with food, nourish their bodies, and build confidence in eating, while supporting parents and caregivers to feel empowered in the process.

Clinical interest

  • Eating disorders
  • Weight management
  • Diabetes
  • Sports

Languages

  • English
  • Persian
  • Korean

Anela Halilagic

Anela is an Accredited Practicing Dietitian (APD) with experience in clinical paediatrics and research. She holds a Master of Dietetic Practice (MDietPrac), a Bachelor of Applied Science (BAppSc), a Bachelor of Human Nutrition (BHumNutHons), and is currently completing her PhD at La Trobe University. In addition to her research, Anela currently works at The Royal Children’s Hospital within the Home Enteral Nutrition team.

She is passionate about early life nutrition and development, tube feeding, and paediatric obesity, and her current research is focusing on the growth and energy requirements of children with Prader-Willi Syndrome. 

Clinical interest

  • Paediatric nutrition
  • Tube feeding
  • Neurodevelopmental disorders
  • Weight management

Languages

  • English
  • Bosnian