Marinda Mcdonald
Dr Megan Frampton
Dr Francoise Pinillos
Dr Kim Barnard
Taryn Bortz
Brenda Yates
Bridget Spargo
Nomsa Hlungwane
Vinolia Apolis
Monica Mlauzi
Anything from making sure you have a cup of tea, to helping with your child. Monica is an indispensable part of the team.
Dr Marinda McDonald
Dr. Marinda McDonald is a medical professional who has dedicated a significant portion of her career to providing specialized treatments for allergies. She embarked on her medical journey by completing her medical degree at the University of Pretoria in 1998. Following her medical training, she fulfilled her community service commitment and then ventured into general practice, where she developed a keen interest in the field of allergies.
Recognizing the increasing demand for high-quality allergy care, Dr. McDonald decided to further her education in this area. In 2004, she obtained a Diploma in Allergies from the College of Medicine of South Africa. Later, in 2014, she completed a Certificate in Allergy from the University of Southampton. These additional qualifications reflect her commitment to staying up-to-date with the latest developments in allergy management.
As the founder of The Allergy Clinic, Dr. McDonald has taken on the role of managing a specialized allergy unit. At her clinic, various diagnostic and treatment services are offered, including food and medication challenges, immunotherapy for inhalants and bee venom, and oral immunotherapy for food allergies, such as peanuts, tree nuts, sesame, and fish. This range of services underscores her dedication to providing comprehensive care for patients with allergies.
Dr. McDonald’s involvement in the field extends beyond her clinic. She serves as the elected chairperson of the Rhinitis working group, which is a subgroup of the Allergy Society of South Africa. Additionally, she contributes to the medical community as an examiner for the Diploma in Allergology offered by The Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA). Her expertise and reputation in the field have also led to her appointment as an advisory board member for EUFOREA, an organization likely involved in respiratory medicine and allergy management.
Furthermore, Dr. McDonald has made significant contributions through her media appearances, both on television and radio. These platforms allow her to share her clinical experience and expertise as an industry speaker, contributing to public awareness and understanding of allergies and their management.
Beyond her professional life, Dr. McDonald is an individual with a zest for life. She enjoys various outdoor activities, including running, hiking, and scuba diving. Her dedication to leading a fulfilling life is evident in her desire to spend quality time with her two teenage sons and her canine companions. Her passion for her work and her personal interests reflect her commitment to living life to the fullest.
Dr. McDonald’s ultimate vision is to provide world-class allergy management services to all her patients. She aspires to continuously grow as a clinician and values the sharing of knowledge with colleagues. This collaborative approach has led to the expansion and growth of The Allergy Clinic, with the notable addition of two colleagues, Dr. Megan Frampton and Dr. Francois Pilinois. Dr. McDonald’s greatest joy comes from witnessing how the right treatments can positively impact the lives of her patients and their families, underscoring her dedication to making a difference in the field of allergy care.
Dr Megan Frampton
Dr Frampton graduated from the University of the Witwatersrand in 2013 with a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBCh). After completing her internship and community service at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic hospital, she elected to stay on working in the Accident and Emergency department. This role exposed her to emergent allergic pathology, and formed an integral component of her allergy interest and training. In 2018, she was awarded her Diploma in Allergology (Dip Allerg) from the College of Medicine of South Africa, thereby enhancing her expertise in the intricate world of allergic disease.
After joining the paediatric team at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital in 2018, she identified a great demand for outpatient allergy services. In 2019, driven by a vision to create a safe space for these patients, she initiated the founding of and continues to head up the Rahima Moosa Hospital Paediatric Allergy facility with the support of Dr Mc Donald. In addition to these responsibilities, in 2023 she joined Dr Mc Donald and her team at the allergy clinic in Blairgowrie.
Dr Frampton’s approach to patient care is anchored in empathy and meticulous attention to detail. Understanding that each patient is unique, she believes effective allergy management requires a tailored and pragmatic approach. Her commitment extends beyond symptom relief – it ensures every patient leaves feeling genuinely heard and understood.
Her goal is to empower you with knowledge and provide solutions that enhance your quality of life. Whether dealing with seasonal or food allergies, drug sensitivities, or complex immunological issues, she is here to partner with you in the management of your allergy.
She looks forward to being a part of your health and wellness journey.
Dr Francoise Pinillos “Dr P”
Francoise is a lover of all things people related. “This is not a job- it’s a genuine love and care for people and the impact allergies has on every facet of their life. Nothing brings me greater joy than being able to walk this journey with them.”
She completed her medical degree at the University of Witwatersrand in 2007. She then went on to complete her 2-year internship at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, and 1-year Community Service at Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital. After entering private GP practice, and having a family with multiple allergies, she realised the immense need for improved allergy diagnosis, treatment and care. She then went on to complete her Diploma in Allergology through the Colleges of Medicine South Africa in 2020. This then sparked an intense interest to know more and she then went on to complete her Certificate in Allergies through the University of Southampton in the UK in 2022. She is also currently working at the Rahima Moosa Allergy Clinic.
Francoise is the eternal student who seems to never satiate her love of learning. She is a mother of 3 children, has had a lifelong appreciation of art, loves reading and cannot imagine life without running.
Dr Kim Barnard
She is a General Paediatrician who has been helping little ones live happy and healthy lives since 2015. Her approach is to create a partnership with parents so that we can work together to understand and care for their children.
She received her BSc from the University of Pretoria in 2004 before completing my MBBCh at the University of the Witwatersrand in 2008. Thereafter, She completed her internship and community service years in the Eastern Cape. Later in 2015, She obtained her Paediatric Specialist qualification (FCPaed(SA)) and her MMed (paeds) qualification at the University of Witwatersrand.
Her experience working with children expands various conditions and treatments, and she is always eager to learn more to continue improving these little humans’ lives. She enjoys working with children of all ages, as each age brings about new milestones, personalities and medical concerns. As a mother of three kids, She has firsthand knowledge of the difficulties and medical issues children face.
She firmly believes that diagnoses and treatment plans need to be evidence-based and up-to-date, but the overall plan set into motion for any child must be acceptable and completely understood by the family. It’s important to her to have a full discussion with parents about their children.
She shares in their happiness and joy but can also relate to their concerns as a medic and a parent. Every child is a unique individual from the moment of their birth. She aims to have an open channel of communication with the families that choose to work with me.
Having struggled with reflux and allergies with her son, She has special interests in paediatric allergies and gut health. I also strongly support allied therapy techniques, such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech therapy. Early intervention is crucial for childhood development, and She has seen the difference it can make and will always endeavour to refer when needed.
Paediatrics is a multidisciplinary team, and every child is a multifaceted and unique little human requiring special care, and that’s why She does it
Taryn Lee Bortz
Taryn Bortz graduated from the University of Pretoria in 2017 with a Bachelors in Dietetics. She then completed her Community Service at Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital and is still currently working there as a Clinical Dietitian. She has gained valuable experience in both an in-patient and out-patient setting in conditions relating to paediatric, infant and maternal nutrition, as well as weight management and various chronic diseases.
Taryn also works in Private Practice in Johannesburg where she helps individuals to meet their nutrition related goals. She has a special interest in food allergies, and works closely with her team to provide comprehensive allergy testing and treatment for infants and children with food allergies. Taryn has completed The FARE Certificate of Training in Paediatric Food Allergies which has broadened her knowledge and enabled her to provide up-to date evidence-based care to patients. Through completing the course, she realized the vital role dietitians play in food allergy management.
Taryn has also completed additional courses in the fields of:
-Irritable Bowel Syndrome (EatFit Low FODMAP accredited).
-Nutrigenomics and Nutrigenetics (3×4 accredited).
-Weight Management (CDE Optifast accredited).
Taryn is an avid foodie and strongly believes there is no need for unnecessary restrictions and cutting out food groups. She wishes to provide individuals with the knowledge on how to nourish their bodies, eat more mindfully and remove all things “fad diet” related.
Sister Bridget Spargo
Sister Bridget completed her Nursing qualifications in 1989 at Greys Nursing College in Pietermaritzburg, and has had many colorful years of service in the multifaceted Healthcare industry. (Trauma, ICU, Corporate Sales & Management & her own private practice.) Her journey began with a passion for healing & helping others, based on a solid and steadfast foundation molding her life’s achievements through the various aspects of the healthcare industry over the past 30 years.
Driven by this passion for creating and providing a more balanced lifestyle, led her to explore the various aspects of integrating a strong conventional medical back ground with that of the natural and herbal support systems and alternate treatment modalities – encompassing Lifestyle methods to obtain the fine balance between body, mind & soul.
Her need to enhance the knowledge base of complex healing patterns and the immune system has been solidified by the time spent in the Allergy Clinic, for the past 2 & ½ years, under the guidance and teaching of Dr Marinda Mc Donald. Her passion & keen sense of humor is key to the enhancement of treatment and is shown in her enthusiasm and delight when dealing with her patients.
A strong sense of people skills developed through the years, with an ability to identify and encourage people to harness their potential and develop themselves, manifests in positive results and in so doing has managed to develop an Integrative Nursing Practice – providing optimum health care to all her patients.
Looking forward to walking your healthcare path with you and your family
Sister Brenda Yates
Brenda has a wide range of experience and expertise in various medical settings. Brenda qualified with a BSc nursing at UCT in 1992 and then went on to do Child Nursing at UCT in 1999. Brenda gained a lot of paediatric nursing experience from working at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town for 10 years. Brenda moved to JHB in 2011 where she started gaining an interest in palliative nursing. She initially worked at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital doing Paediatric Palliative Care and from there, she went on to do the Palliative Care Course through Wits Hospice in 2014. In 2015, Brenda opened her own Private Nursing Practice providing home care and support to a wide variety of patients such as the elderly, patients with dementia, post operative care as well as patients with Intestinal Failure. Brenda also works with Dr Butler, a Geriatrician, once a week.
Brenda joined the Allergy Practice on a part time basis in June 2018. Brenda loves to be part of the allergy team and enjoys the challenges of identifying and treating allergies. She loves the interaction across the wide variety of patients and family who visit the practice and hopes to contribute to their wellness journey.
The Allergy Clinic
- 65 Conrad Drive, Blairgowrie, Randburg, 2194
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+27 (0) 11 726 4214/5 (Office Line 1)
+27 (0) 10 822 8630 (Office Line 2)
- enquiries@allergydoc.co.za
- reception@allergydoc.co.za
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