Our History
Our Beginnings...
The Millhouse Medical Centre began in 1994 when Doctors Richard Coleman, Mark Denekamp and Serene Hu purchased a unit in a small shopping block in a new housing area of East Auckland, known as Botany Downs or new Howick. Serene Hu had a special interest in the Asian immigrants who were settling in Howick. After two years she decided to refocus her energies at her Northcote practice, and doctors Kooi Chean, Rose Phan and Hong Duan cared for the Chinese-speaking patients for various periods. During those earlier years Christine Morgan commenced part-time work and Dr Christine Hutton joined for a two year period.
In 1999 Else Seligmann purchased Mark Denekamp's medical practice and Lyndsey Kabat began part-time service. Heather Macdonald joined the medical group from 2001 till 2005. When Lyndsey Kabat moved to Australia, Aileen Wong was appointed to the clinic. Therese Kella joined the practice, and in July 2009 Doctor Coleman bought what had been Dr Seligmann's part of the practice, as she had reduced her duties due to ill health and later resigned to move to Australia.
In 2010 Scott McLaren joined the practice, and the Centre was expanded to include the house at Number 130.
In January 2012 Dr Morgan passed away after a valiant battle against cancer. Later that year Therese Khella moved to another practice and Dr Stephanie Nam joined our multicultural team. In 2013 Alet Stoltz joined Millhouse as an independent associate, and soon afterward Therese Khella returned, after Scott McLaren purchased a practice share in central Auckland. In 2016 we welcomed Daniel Quistorff to the medical team.
Due to changing family circumstances in 2020, Dr Alet Stolz moved to North Canterbury and shortly afterwards we were fortunate to secure the services (part-time) of Dr Satya Subramanian.
The doctors are supported by dedicated staff who will assist you in accessing quality integrative medical health care at the Millhouse Medical Centre. In 2023 Gabriella Curd, who had been on the nursing team for six years, became a registered Nurse Practitioner, and Health Improvement Practitioner Vani El-Khishin joined the medical team.
Which Millhouse?
Years ago, in fact when the Millhouse Medical Centre was still being built in 1994, we researched the meaning of the street name, naively thinking there had been an actual mill alongside the strawberry fields south of Botany Road. Local historian Alan La Roche disenchanted us with a hoot of laughter, saying the only mill was in the developer's imagination. Nevertheless the image of a Millhouse, providing health and sustenance for the community, was appealing. We kept the name but chose images symbolising life and hope for our branding.