Our History
Healthcare on Collins began in 1988 when Dr. Philip Perlstein moved from the outer suburbs and acquired a small city practice which became the Midtown Medical Clinic in the Manchester Unity Building at 220 Collins Street. At the time, it was a small one-person practice. However, Dr. Perlstein was fully intent on building the practice with a view to having Dr. Harry Unglik, his high school friend and medical school colleague, join the practice in the very near future. A year later Harry began working at the Practice. At that time, Phil and Harry were the team doctors at the North Melbourne Football Club in the AFL.
Gordon McDonald and Roger Moore ran suburban physiotherapy practices and a small practice at 422 Collins Street in Melbourne’s CBD. Gordon would often attend employees of the State Bank of Victoria who needed physiotherapy at the Collin St. Practice. The State bank doctor also helped out at North Melbourne AFL Football Club. It was through this link that Gordon met with Harry and before long both he and Roger began working as physiotherapists at North Melbourne in 1989.
In 1992, Gordon and Roger moved their city premises to a space on the same floor as the Midtown Medical Clinic at 220 Collins Street and The Melbourne Sports Medicine Centre was founded, with Harry, Phil, Gordon and Roger as directors.
In 1993 Phil left the North Melbourne Football Club to take over as doctor at the Carlton Football Club.
Soon after, Dr. Con Mitropoulos was recruited to join Midtown Medical Clinic where he became a partner and he also joined Harry at the North Melbourne Football Club.
Both practices continued to grow and in 2000 moved to larger premises in the current location at Level 4, 250 Collins Street where they continued to operate as separate entities.
In the ensuing years and as more space became available, Medical Specialists on Collins was opened to provide non-GP consultant care to patients. Onsite pathology with Melbourne Pathology and medical imaging (with I-Med Radiology on the 3rd floor) complimented the available services.
In 2021, Daniel Yee, one of our most progressive young physiotherapists, joined the practice as a partner, thus engendering fresh thoughts and ideas so that can we keep moving forward in the ever-changing health areas.
Having conducted Midtown Medical Clinic, The Melbourne Sports Medicine Centre and Medical Specialists on Collins as separate entities in a common space, in 2018 it was decided to amalgamate all three practices under one name, Healthcare on Collins. Only the name to the public changed, not the people running it.
Sadly, at the end of 2023, Gordon passed away. This shocked everyone and his presence is still missed every day.
In 2024, Dr. Anita Muñoz, who joined Midtown Medical Clinic 15 years joined the directorship. Dr. Anita brings along her strong advocacy for GPs through her non-clinical roles as a medical educator, medical advisor and Chair of Victoria Faculty and board member of RACGP.
Later the same year, Marie Moolenaar, joined as a Director, continuing her role of Business Manager.
In 2025, contiguous to Harry and Phil’s retirement, Dr. Jess Foley joined the team of Directors. Dr. Jess brings a lot of experience in the sports medicine field. As a former professional athlete, she fully understands what athletes go through. Dr. Jess is a surgical assistant and involved in AFL player’s association Injury and Support and Health and Safety.
Gordon, Phil and Harry have left a strong legacy. The change of some of the Directors brings new skillsets, but the core values are unchanged. The dedication to offer a caring and happy environment for all involved while offering the best tools and technology remains essential.
Our goal is to continue to provide compassionate and comprehensive healthcare to all our clients.