Neurological conditions often affect the most fundamental aspects of daily life, including movement, sensation, speech, memory, and independence. Accurate diagnosis and careful long-term management are central to helping patients understand their condition and plan their care. Dr Karen Sank is a Queensland-trained Neurologist and Clinical Neurophysiologist whose clinical work focuses on thoughtful assessment, advanced diagnostic testing, and ongoing neurological care.
Now permanently based on the Sunshine Coast, Dr Sank provides specialist services through her Neurophysiology and General Neurology Clinic, supporting patients and referring doctors across the region. Her practice reflects extensive hospital training, subspecialty expertise in electro-diagnostic neurophysiology, and a strong commitment to clear and consistent communication.
Medical Qualifications and Specialist Accreditation
Dr Karen Sank holds a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) and is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (FRACP). Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians represents formal specialist accreditation in Australia and confirms the completion of advanced physician training, specialist examinations, and ongoing professional standards.
As an FRACP-qualified neurologist, Dr Sank is recognised as a fully accredited medical specialist in the diagnosis and management of disorders of the nervous system.
Medical Education and Early Neurology Training
Dr Sank graduated from medical school in 2003 in Queensland and subsequently entered specialist neurology training. Her training was completed locally across several major Queensland hospitals, providing broad exposure to both acute and chronic neurological disease.
Her hospital training included Princess Alexandra Hospital, Greenslopes Private Hospital, The Prince Charles Hospital, Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, and Gold Coast Hospital. These institutions manage large volumes of neurological presentations, including stroke, epilepsy, movement disorders, neuromuscular disease, and complex diagnostic cases.
During this period, Dr Sank developed strong clinical foundations in neurological examination, diagnostic reasoning, and patient-centred care. She gained experience managing both emergency neurological presentations and long-term neurological conditions requiring ongoing follow-up.
Developing a Special Interest in Neurophysiology
While completing her neurology training, Dr Sank developed a particular interest in neurophysiology, a subspecialty concerned with assessing nerve and muscle function. Neurophysiology plays a vital role in diagnosing conditions where symptoms such as numbness, weakness, pain, or abnormal movement are present but are not fully explained by imaging studies.
Electro-diagnostic neurophysiology uses specialised electrical testing to evaluate the function of peripheral nerves and muscles. This area of neurology is especially important in the assessment of peripheral neuropathy, nerve entrapment syndromes, neuromuscular disease, and complex neurological presentations.
Fellowship in Neurophysiology and Neuromuscular Disease
In 2012, Dr Sank undertook a Fellowship in Neurophysiology and Neuromuscular Disease at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney. Royal North Shore Hospital is widely regarded as a national referral centre for electro-diagnostic neurophysiology and complex neuromuscular disorders.
During this fellowship, Dr Sank trained under some of Australia’s leading specialists in the neurological subspecialty of electro-diagnostic neurophysiology. Her work focused on advanced nerve conduction studies and electromyography, enabling detailed evaluation of nerve and muscle disorders affecting both the upper and lower limbs.
This fellowship significantly strengthened her diagnostic expertise and her ability to integrate neurophysiology findings with clinical neurology to guide patient care.
Consultant Neurologist Experience
Following completion of her fellowship, Dr Sank worked at Royal North Shore Hospital as a Consultant Neurologist. In this tertiary hospital setting, she managed patients with a wide range of neurological conditions, including complex and multisystem presentations.
Her consultant role involved collaboration with neurosurgery, rehabilitation medicine, allied health professionals, and specialist nursing teams. This experience reinforced the importance of multidisciplinary care and careful communication in the management of neurological disease.
Transition to Private Practice
After her consultant hospital role, Dr Sank transitioned into private practice. She has continued to practise as a neurologist while also running dedicated neurophysiology clinics, allowing for continuity between clinical assessment and diagnostic testing.
This approach supports patients who require both neurological consultation and electro-diagnostic investigations, ensuring that diagnostic findings are interpreted within the context of the patient’s overall neurological presentation.
Establishing a Sunshine Coast Neurology Clinic
Dr Sank and her family have now permanently established themselves on the Sunshine Coast, where she has opened a Neurophysiology and General Neurology Clinic. The clinic provides local access to specialist neurological care, reducing the need for patients to travel to metropolitan centres for assessment and testing.
The practice supports local general practitioners and referrers by offering specialist neurological consultation, diagnostic neurophysiology services, and long-term neurological management within the Sunshine Coast medical community.
Scope of Neurological Conditions Managed
Dr Sank’s clinical practice includes the diagnosis and management of a broad range of neurological conditions. These include headache and migraine disorders, epilepsy and seizure disorders, peripheral neuropathy, movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease and tremor, multiple sclerosis, stroke-related neurological care, and functional neurological disorders.
Many of these conditions require careful assessment, investigation, and ongoing review. Dr Sank’s combined expertise in general neurology and neurophysiology allows for detailed evaluation when symptoms are complex or difficult to define.
Electro-Diagnostic Neurophysiology Services
A central component of Dr Sank’s practice is her work in electro-diagnostic neurophysiology. She provides comprehensive nerve conduction studies and electromyography to assess nerve and muscle function.
These investigations are commonly used to diagnose conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, nerve injuries, radiculopathies, and neuromuscular disorders. Neurophysiology testing assists in confirming diagnoses, guiding treatment decisions, and supporting referring doctors in managing long-term neurological care.
Experience in Deep Brain Stimulation Management
Dr Sank has experience in the management of patients with Deep Brain Stimulation, particularly in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders. Deep Brain Stimulation involves the surgical implantation of electrodes to deliver targeted electrical stimulation to specific areas of the brain.
Patients who undergo DBS require long-term neurological follow-up to monitor symptom control and medication needs. Dr Sank’s experience in this area allows her to provide ongoing neurological care for patients following DBS treatment.
Anticipated Botox Clinic
As part of the ongoing development of her practice, a Botox clinic is anticipated to be offered in the near future. In neurological practice, Botox is commonly used in the management of conditions such as chronic migraine and certain movement disorders.
Patient-Centred Clinical Approach
Dr Sank is committed to achieving the best possible outcomes for her patients using current evidence-based medicine while maintaining a patient-centred approach. She values careful listening, clear explanation, and ensuring patients understand their diagnosis and management options.
She prides herself on developing trusting relationships with long-term patients and working closely with multidisciplinary care services when required.
Referrals, Triage, and Communication
Dr Sank welcomes new referrals for all neurological conditions. Each referral is personally reviewed by Dr Sank for triaging purposes, ensuring appropriate prioritisation. Urgent referrals are seen in a timely manner.
Referrers are encouraged to contact the practice directly if a patient’s condition changes while waiting for an appointment or if there is a need to speak directly with Dr Sank.
Referrals are accepted via Medical Objects, email, or fax.
Appointment Preparation
Patients attending an appointment are asked to bring a valid referral, previous MRI scans or relevant imaging reports, an up-to-date medication list, and recent blood test results where available. This information assists in accurate assessment and avoids unnecessary delays.
Commitment to Ongoing Professional Development
Dr Sank remains committed to ongoing professional development and staying current with neurological research and evidence-based clinical practice. This commitment supports continued high standards of neurological care.
Life and Practice on the Sunshine Coast
Having permanently settled on the Sunshine Coast, Dr Sank is dedicated to serving the local community and building strong professional relationships with colleagues and referrers across the region.
Contact Details
Dr Sank’s practice can be contacted on (07) 5391 4575.
New referrals are welcome.
Conclusion
Dr Karen Sank’s work on the Sunshine Coast reflects a career built on depth of training, careful clinical judgement, and a genuine commitment to neurological care. From her early medical education in Queensland to advanced fellowship training in neurophysiology and neuromuscular disease at Royal North Shore Hospital, her professional journey has been shaped by a strong focus on accurate diagnosis and thoughtful long-term management.
Through her Neurophysiology and General Neurology Clinic, Dr Sank brings specialist neurological services closer to the local community, combining general neurology with electro-diagnostic expertise. Her experience across conditions such as epilepsy, migraine, neuropathy, movement disorders, multiple sclerosis, and stroke allows her to support patients at different stages of their neurological care, while her involvement in Deep Brain Stimulation management highlights her engagement with advanced treatment pathways.
Equally important is her patient-centred approach, marked by clear communication, individual referral review, and close collaboration with referrers and multidisciplinary teams. As she continues her clinical work on the Sunshine Coast, Dr Karen Sank remains focused on delivering neurological care grounded in evidence, experience, and long-term professional commitment.
FAQs
What conditions does Dr Karen Sank treat?
Dr Karen Sank diagnoses and manages a wide range of neurological conditions, including migraine and headache disorders, epilepsy, peripheral neuropathy, movement disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, stroke-related neurological issues, and functional neurological disorders.
Do I need a referral to see Dr Karen Sank?
Yes, a valid referral from a general practitioner or specialist is required to attend an appointment. This also allows eligible consultations to be Medicare rebated.
Does Dr Karen Sank accept new patients?
Yes, Dr Sank welcomes new referrals for all neurological conditions. Each referral is personally reviewed to ensure appropriate triaging and timely appointments for urgent cases.
What is neurophysiology testing and when is it needed?
Neurophysiology testing, including nerve conduction studies and electromyography (EMG), assesses how nerves and muscles function. It is commonly used to investigate symptoms such as numbness, weakness, pain, or suspected nerve compression.
Does Dr Karen Sank manage patients with Deep Brain Stimulation?
Yes, Dr Sank has experience in the ongoing management of patients with Deep Brain Stimulation, particularly for Parkinson’s disease and other movement disorders requiring long-term neurological follow-up.
What should I bring to my neurology appointment?
Patients should bring their referral, any previous MRI or imaging reports, an up-to-date medication list, and recent blood test results if available.
How are referrals prioritised?
All referrals are personally reviewed by Dr Sank for triaging purposes. Urgent referrals are prioritised, and referrers are encouraged to contact the practice if a patient’s condition changes while waiting.
Where is Dr Karen Sank’s practice located?
Dr Karen Sank’s Neurophysiology and General Neurology Clinic is based on the Sunshine Coast, providing local access to specialist neurological care for patients and referrers in the region.
