Vinay is an experienced Obstetrician and Gynaecologist located in central Melbourne.
He studied Medicine and Law at the same time and has been fortunate enough to have gained experience in some of the best known academic and clinical centres across the globe. His experience in England and Scotland inspired Vinay to pursue a career in Gynaecology and Obstetrics. Through fellowships in the United States, he gained additional experience in advanced laparoscopic surgery.
In Obstetrics, he is known to be holistic, and respectful of your wishes as an expecting mother when it comes to making choices about labour and delivery.
In a TEDx talk, Vinay referred to beyond his job as the best job in the world, helping women from early on in life all the way to menopause. Vinay developed an interest in helping women who have their first baby after the age of 35 or in their forties. Quite often, women who pursue sports careers and business careers (athletes and working women), have appreciated Vinay’s approach to their particular women’s health needs. He also has expertise in assisting women who have suffered a previous traumatic birth and are now seeking a better experience.
Additionally, Vinay feels that the mode of delivery should be a choice of the woman. Women should not be made to feel guilty for opting for delivery via caesarean section. Vinay particularly enjoys working with his team in theatre to ensure that deliveries via caesarean section are as natural and as much fun as they can be. After all, the birth of a long-awaited new arrival should be a joyous occasion and not one marked by anxiety. We use various techniques including playing music that is familiar to our patients and adjusting the lighting and ensuring that there are several familiar faces in the room to ensure a memorable occasion.
As a gynaecological surgeon, Vinay has trained in minimally invasive laparoscopic procedures, both in Australia and The United States. He has an interest in endometriosis and assists women who want to maximise their fertility before looking into more invasive procedures such as IVF.
Melbourne Mothers, his private practice, is built around a family vision: as Vinay runs his practice with his wife, Dr Christine Sammartino - who is a specialist Nephrologist with an interest in Obstetric Medicine - you will occasionally meet their children and their dog at the practice. As a family working for families, Vinay and Christine also encourage their patients to bring their partner or children to an obstetrics appointment.
Vinay’s practice locations are intentionally placed outside of the hospital environment as Melbourne Mothers does not view pregnancy as an illness. Moreover, by having practices in the community where our patients are- and by having appointment times outside of normal business hours- the consultations are less stressful and traffic and parking become less of an issue.
Qualifications and background information:
Vinay has undertaken attachments at several institutions in the United States as a Fulbright Scholar, including the Mayo Clinic, the United Nations and Harvard University where he maintains collaborative relationships. His in-depth academic background and practical training (both in Australia and overseas) make him a leader in his field and abreast of all of the latest treatment options available.
Vinay also currently serves as a state councillor for the Australian Medical Association (AMA) where he also serves as the state secretary for specialists in private practice. Furthermore, he is the Victorian councillor for the National Association of Specialist Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (NASOG). He is also a board patron for the Australian World Orchestra and the former president of the Medicolegal Society of Victoria.
Vinay also consults and performs Gynaecological and fertility procedures at Northern Private Hospital with Thrive Fertility.