Exceptional teamwork
Our doctors are independent medical practitioners who have been hand-picked to join our team based on their clinical expertise and their fit with our practice values and vision. They are all highly trained Consultant GPs and Fellows of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners. They are responsible for their clinical decisions regarding patient care and the practice provides them with a facility and a framework of administrative and nursing support.
Visit our careers page if you’d like to find out more about working as a GP, Registered Nurse, or a receptionist with this great team.
Meet the team
Dr Nicola Kettleton-Butler
Practice Principal | Independent Consultant General Practitioner | Co-owner
MBBS UQ | FRACGP | B. Sc App (Human Movement Studies-Exercise Management)
Dr Nicola Kettleton-Butler is a highly-regarded local GP who has been practicing on the Sunshine Coast for over 10 years. As our Practice Principal and co-founder of Saltwater Medical, Nicola is an Australian-trained GP who graduated from the University of Queensland in 2008 with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery. She went on to complete her specialist GP training and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in 2014. Nicola has a special interest in children’s, women’s and senior’s health and is well known for her caring nature and her thorough approach to patient care. Nicola also enjoys a range of general practice procedural work, including iron infusions and Implanon and Mirena insertions. Nicola is a keen sports fan (especially tennis, golf and rugby) and enjoys fishing and the coastal lifestyle.
Dr Nicola consults Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. She is not taking new patients at this time.
Jen Kettleton-Butler
Practice Director
MBA (EXEC), Dip Mgt, Ad Cert. GD
Jen is the Practice Director and co-owner of Saltwater Medical. She brings a wealth of business and leadership experience to Saltwater Medical and plays a significant role behind the scenes in developing our unique practice model and bringing the vision to life. Prior to starting Saltwater Medical, Jen enjoyed a fast-paced career in senior marketing and communication roles in Brisbane where she honed her business and leadership skills. Jen is a people-person who believes in the power of teamwork, respect, and collaboration to achieve amazing results. As a fourth generation descendant of the local Clarke fishing family, she also has strong ties to the Caloundra community which go back more than 100 years. She loves Caloundra and is also a passionate ocean woman and surfer who can be found out in the local lineups whenever she gets the chance.
Dr Rick Allen
Deputy Practice Principal | Independent Consultant General Practitioner
MBBS UQ | FRACGP | B.Sc (Mathematics/Physics)
Dr Rick Allen has been with Saltwater Medical since 2020, migrating here following 17 years of service with the RAAF. Rick is an Australian-trained consultant GP who graduated from the University of Queensland in 2013 with a Bachelor of Medicine and a Bachelor of Surgery. He went on to complete his specialist GP training and was admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (RACGP) in 2018. Rick has a special interest in aviation medicine, women’s and men’s health, sports medicine as well as sexual health and family planning. Rick also enjoys a range of general practice procedural work, including iron infusions and Aviation Medicals. He takes great pride in spending quality time with his patients to achieve exceptional collaborative care. Rick enjoys time with his wife and three kids in the pool or down the beach honing his surfing skills. He is a cricket and AFL fan and is our resident movie buff.
Rick consults Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and is not currently taking new patients at this time*.
*Will accept new patients for Aviation Medicals only
Dr Christopher Wilson
Independent Consultant General Practitioner
MBChB UOS | MRCGP | FRA
Dr Chris Wilson is a UK/Australian-trained consultant GP, who attained his Fellowship with the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners in 2023. He has worked extensively in the UK, the Sunshine Coast Hospitals and Health Service, as well as GP clinics in Gympie and the Sunshine Coast.
Dr Chris enjoys building strong collaborative relationships to help his patients achieve excellent health. He has a particular interest in preventative health, including the holistic management of chronic disease, weight management, smoking cessation, men’s health, travel health, sports injuries, and LGBTIQ health. He also performs a range of procedures, including skin excisions and iron infusions.
Dr Chris enjoys spending time at the beach with his husband and their two dogs, singing in a choir, and keeping active in a local swim club and group fitness gym.
Dr Chris will be consulting Monday-Friday (with every second Friday off).
He is currently taking new patients and looks forward to working with you to achieve your health goals.
Dr Alexander Oram
Independent Consultant General Practitioner
MBBA / FRACGP
Dr Alex Oram is a born and bred Queenslander, growing up in Townsville, and completing his medical degree at James Cook University. Following completion of his university studies, Dr Alex relocated to South East Queensland to complete his Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, as well as his Fellowship of Advanced Rural General Practice (Emergency Medicine).
Dr Alex has special interests in men’s health, chronic disease management, weight management, sports medicine and minor procedures including iron infusions.
As a proud dad, coffee enthusiast, and NRL footy fan, Dr Alex understands the real-life juggle between work, family, and staying well. He believes in straightforward advice, no judgment, and creating a space where patients feel comfortable to ask questions and get support. Whether you’re overdue for a check-up or just want to chat about your health, Dr Alex is here to help yourself and your family.
Dr Alex is consulting on Mondays and Fridays and is welcoming new patients.
Dr Scott Alford
Independent Consultant General Practitioner
Dr Scott is an experienced consultant GP who has recently relocated to the Sunshine Coast with his young family. He completed his Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery at James Cook University in 2015 and obtained his RACGP Fellowship in 2020.
Dr Scott began his medical career and GP training in Cairns, Far North Queensland, before going on to work as a GP in Cairns, Adelaide, and now Caloundra. He enjoys all aspects of General Practice, with a particular interest in the long-term elements of preventative health and supporting patients to balance medical treatment with quality-of-life outcomes.
In addition, Dr Scott has a strong interest in procedural skin cancer medicine, having spent time working as a surgical assistant in plastic surgery, as well as musculoskeletal medicine and sexual health. He is known for his thoughtful, holistic, and patient-centred approach to care.
Dr Scott is consulting on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and is currently accepting new patients.
Dr Joannah Chappel
Independent Consultant General Practitioner
Dr Joannah is a dedicated General Practitioner who enjoys working with people from all walks of life and supporting patients through all stages of health and wellbeing. She obtained her Doctor of Medicine and Surgery from the Australian National University in 2015 and achieved Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners (FRACGP) in 2022. She also holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Disaster and Refugee Health from James Cook University (2009) and a Bachelor of Veterinary Biology.
Dr Joannah has a strong interest in women’s and children’s health and takes a holistic approach to patient care, with a particular focus on psychological wellbeing and preventative health. She values clear communication and enjoys working collaboratively with patients to develop practical and creative solutions to health concerns.
Dr Joannah is consulting on Tuesday and Thursday and is currently accepting new patients – commencing 24th February 2026.
Dr Katie Machin
Independent Consultant General Practitioner
MD FUSA | FRACGP | BSpPath UQ
Dr Katie Machin is an experienced consultant GP who has recently moved to the Sunshine Coast with her young family. After growing up in South-East Queensland and studying Speech Pathology she moved to Alice Springs and spent the next decade working and living in Central Desert Aboriginal communities. This led her to study Medicine, graduating in 2015 with a Doctor of Medicine from Flinders University, where she went on to obtain her specialist GP fellowship (RACGP) in 2021. Since then, she has travelled and worked around Australia before settling on the Sunshine Coast to be near family. Dr Katie is a thorough and caring GP with a passion for Indigenous Health, Women’s Health, and Sexual Health, though enjoys all aspects of General Practice. She offers Implanon insertion/removal, IUD removal, simple skin excisions, iron infusions, antenatal care, PrEP prescribing, and medical terminations. Katie’s weekends are spent hiking, cycling, cooking, or camping.
Dr Katie will be consulting Monday and Thursday and is not taking new patients at this time.