Our Doctors


Dr John Russell
MBChB, DipObst. FRNZCGP
I have worked in General Practice in Hillsborough since 1987. I enjoy the variety of General Practice and the close interaction with my patients and staff.
I have further training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and spent 10 years delivering babies, many of whom are still patients. I have further training in minor surgery and also offer vasectomy and infant circumcision. I lead the GP College quality programme Cornerstone, for our clinic.
Outside of work, I enjoy road cycling, gardening and catching the occasional trout. I am married to Judith and have 3 adult children.

Dr Ivan Connell
MBChB, DipObst, FRNZCGP
I grew up in Hillsborough and was a patient at the Hillsborough Medical Centre before studying medicine at the University of Otago in Dunedin and Wellington. Since my graduation I worked at Dunedin Hospital, then in London and Paris. I started as a GP at the Hillsborough Medical Centre in 1985.
I practiced obstetrics until 2004, delivering more than 1000 babies. My General Practice includes performing surgical procedures including infant circumcision, in our fully equipped operating theatre. In addition to General Practice, I work as a Vein Specialist and have a Varicose Vein Clinic at the Ascot Hospital.
I am married to Margaret and have a daughter. When not at work I enjoy golf, cooking, music and languages.

Dr Robyn Chandler
MBChB, FDRHMNZ, FRNZCGP

Dr Sylvia Macann
Arzt Dip.Obst. FRNZCGP
I am originally from Munich, Germany and graduated there in 1984. After working in a variety of hospitals I immigrated to NZ at the end of 1986 to take up work at Palmerston North Hospital. In those subsequent 3 years I worked in medical and surgical positons and gained my Dip Obst. as well. The next few years were spent in Hamilton where I started working as a GP as well as in the hospital. I gained my Fellowship of the RNZCGP in 1998 and have been with the Hillsborough Medical Centre part time since 2007. General Practice for me is advocating a healthy lifestyle and on weekends I enjoy our lifestyle block and during my holidays travelling and walking. I am married to Andrew Macann a radiation oncologist and we have one adult son.
Dr Andrew Wearn.
MBChB, MMedSc, MRNZCGP
I completed my undergraduate and GP training at Birmingham in the UK. I then worked half-time as a GP in Handsworth and half-time as a clinical academic at Birmingham University. In 2001 we moved to NZ, where I took up a position at the University of Auckland. I am involved in a range of teaching activities, research projects, and leadership roles, particularly with the Medical Programme Directorate that oversees the medical degree (MBChB).
Since 2013 I have worked one session a week at Hillsborough Medical Centre. I appreciate the grounding that this gives to my academic activities, and enjoy the variety of clinical work. I am married, live on the North Shore and have two sons. We love the landscape and wildlife of NZ and there is nothing better than a summer’s day at an east coast beach.