Rata Health | Meet the Team

Doctors

Kirshni Appanna

Doctor

Kirshni graduated in 1991 from the University of Natal, South Africa. Born in sunny Durban, a 4th generation South African, she fell in love with NZ when she visited the country on a working holiday. She joined the team at Five Cross Roads as a locum in 1996 becoming a partner in 1998. She is a fellow of the RNZCGP and has completed Diplomas in Paediatrics and Cosmetic medicine as well as the Primary Certificate in Skin Cancer & Primary Certificate in Dermoscopy. Kirshni loves all aspects of GP life with a special interest in woman and children’s health and is extremely passionate about skin and menopause. She also speaks Afrikaans and a bit of Zulu. She is a member of senior education faculty of The New Zealand Society of Cosmetic Medicine (NZSCM). She shares her time between GP & her cosmetic clinic Jeunesse MedSpa. When not working, you'll find enjoying traveling, Pilates, dancing, sewing, decorating cakes, sharing her passion - teaching or creating content for her health podcast – Medicine in the Mirror, or hanging with her hubby Priyen, two adult children and her Pom fur baby.

Kirshni is available at Five Cross Roads on Mon & Tuesday mornings.

Hena Mahal

Doctor

Hena graduated from the Guru Nanak Dev University in India in 1999. She grew up in Punjab and migrated with her husband to New Zealand in after working at Waikato hospital, she decided to call Hamilton home. She moved into General Practice in 2009 and has worked at practices around the Waikato (until she chose the best practice in the Waikato – Five Cross Roads Medical Centre!). She is a Fellow of the RNZCGP and loves all aspects of General Practice especially the continuity of care. She is a medical educator for the NZ College of GP’s Education programme. Hena is fluent in Punjabi and Hindi.

When she is not working, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two children walking, biking or watching a movie and has a passion for travel and art. Her fur baby, Shadow keeps her on her toes!

Hena is available at Five Cross Roads Monday to Thursday. She spends Wednesday afternoon teaching.

Monali Darole

Doctor

Monali Graduated from the University of Mumbai in 2000, India and has over 22 years of experience as a General Practitioner, having worked in India, Australia and New Zealand. Monali has been in the Waikato for the last 16 years working at various medical practices including urban and rural practices from Thames to Raglan and at Accident and Emergency centres. Monali is a fellow of the RNZCGP. She joined our team in 2016. She loves the variety that general practice offers and enjoys all aspects of it. Her special interests include minor surgery, mental health, preventative care and paediatrics. She is fluent in Marathi, Hindi, and understands basic Urdu, Gujarati and Punjabi.

When not working, you'll find her deadlifting heavy stuff, in the kitchen cooking dairy free food, gardening and landscaping, volunteering for charity organizations, and enjoying time with her hubby and teenage son.

Monali is available at Rototuna on Monday, Wednesday and Friday, and at Five Cross Roads on Tuesday and Thursday.

Tina Chou

Doctor

Tina graduated from the University of Otago Medical School about 20 years ago. Originally from Taiwan, she has lived in the US during childhood, and moved to NZ in 1995. Tina is fluent in Mandarin. She joined our team in 2010. Tina is a Fellow of the RNZCGP since 2012, and holds a post graduate certificate in Civil Aviation Medicine. She also has special interests in children's health and lifestyle medicine. Outside of Medicine, she enjoys playing music (playing the flute, piano, drums, cello & harp), doing aerial hoop & sling, and most of all, she loves hanging out with her hubby and their 4 kids.

Tina is available Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays for telephone consults.

Jeffrey Chen

Doctor

Jeffrey graduated from the University of Otago Medical School in 2004. Originally from Taiwan, he moved to New Zealand in 1996. He is fluent in Mandarin & Taiwanese. After his around-the-world trip in 2008 with his wife, he discovered his passion in General Practice, and completed his Fellowship in General Practice. Jeffrey joined the team in 2011, and provides holistic care for his patients. He has done postgraduate study in Sports Medicine, and also has special interests in Men’s health and Minor Surgery. Outside of work, his passion is spending time with his wife and their four children, travelling, and playing sports.

Jeffrey is available Mon, Wed & Fri at Five Cross Roads clinic, and Tues & Thurs at Rototuna clinic.