We live in a world where healthcare too often feels like a luxury instead of a need. At Direct Endoscopy, we believe healthcare is not a privilege — it’s a fundamental human and community right. Our mission is to make high-quality, compassionate, and accessible care available to every person who walks through our doors — treating every patient as family and every story as our own.
Care with Heart
We lead with empathy, compassion, and respect — caring for each person as we would our own family.
Community First
We exist for the communities and families we serve. We build relationships that go beyond treatment — creating a sense of belonging, care, and shared wellbeing.
Excellence with Purpose
We strive for the highest standards in every action. Excellence for us is not about perfection — it’s about making a meaningful difference in people’s lives every day.
Integrity in Action
We do what’s right, always. We are transparent, accountable, and guided by honesty — because trust is the foundation of care.
Our History
For more than 30 years, Direct Endoscopy has been at the heart of digestive health in Melbourne — a family-founded practice that has grown into one of Australia’s leading providers of endoscopy and specialist care.
What began as a small, family-run clinic built on trust, compassion, and service to the local community has evolved into a respected network of five accredited Day Hospitals across Melbourne. Despite our growth, the heart of Direct Endoscopy remains the same — a commitment to family values, genuine care, and a deep sense of belonging to the communities we serve.
Our team of highly experienced and fully accredited gastroenterologists are dedicated to delivering the highest standard of care in digestive health, liver disease, and post-procedure follow-up. While our specialists are independent, they share one united purpose: to make healthcare personal, accessible, and compassionate for every patient who walks through our doors.
Our History in Dates
Our History in Dates
Our Executives
MBBS, FRACP
Dr David Badov is Executive Chairman and CEO of Direct Endoscopy, one of Australia’s largest private endoscopy providers, and has over 30 years’ experience as a gastroenterologist. He has performed more than 150,000 endoscopic procedures and is recognised for his expertise in colorectal cancer prevention, inflammatory bowel disease, liver disease and endoscopy.
In addition to his clinical practice, Dr Badov is a medical leader, having founded and developed several successful healthcare businesses across day hospitals, primary care, pathology and preventative health. He is the Founder and Medical Director of HealthScreen, an Australian executive health and preventative medicine service focused on early disease detection and longevity. He also serves on the Board of Directors of Day Hospitals Australia, contributing to the future of private healthcare and day hospital reform across Australia. (Day Hospitals Australia)
Dr Badov is committed to medical education and innovation. He is a Senior Lecturer at Monash University and an Honorary Enterprise Senior Fellow at the Faculty of Medicine, University of Melbourne, where he supports the translation of medical innovation into improved patient care while mentoring the next generation of healthcare professionals. (LinkedIn)
Healthcare executive with over a decade of experience and a diverse background spanning acute hospitals, day surgery, aged care, disability, and community services. Beginning his career in the Italian Navy, including service with the San Marco Battalion and COMSUBIN, Leo brings disciplined leadership and a commitment to excellence to every role.
After moving to Australia, he progressed through senior operational and clinical governance roles with organisations such as Bolton Clarke, HealthE Care and Bupa. He has overseen large multi-site portfolios, led workforce and service reforms, delivered technology transformations, and supported major M&A activity across the sector.
As Chief Operating Officer at Direct Endoscopy, Leo leads operational performance, theatre optimisation, workforce capability, digital innovation, compliance, and patient experience across a growing network of Victorian day hospitals. His focus is on building a modern, sustainable, high-quality service model that delivers strong outcomes for patients, clinicians, and referrers.
Leo also contributes to the broader sector through advisory and board roles in education, public health, aged care, community health, and clinical governance.
At the core of his leadership is a simple conviction: healthcare is a human need not a privilege and every person, regardless of culture, postcode, or income, deserves access to safe and compassionate care.
Daniel Badov is the Chief Commercial Officer at Direct Endoscopy and a member of the Executive Leadership Team. He is responsible for the organisation’s commercial strategy and performance, leading initiatives that support the continued expansion of one of Australia’s largest networks of accredited endoscopy day hospitals.
Daniel has extensive experience in healthcare leadership, commercial strategy and organisational development, with a proven track record of driving growth and innovation across the healthcare sector. Admitted as an Australian solicitor, Daniel previously practised as a criminal defence lawyer before moving into healthcare, where he has established and continues to lead healthcare organisations across primary care, specialist services and day hospitals.
Registered Nurse with qualifications including a Certificate IV in Health (Enrolled/Division 2 Nursing) from Victoria and a Bachelor of Nursing from Queensland.
Beginning my career in Acute General Medicine and then further gained experience across palliative care, surgical wards, high dependency care, and day surgery, building a strong foundation in patient-centered care while living in Queensland.
Since relocating to Victoria, I have expanded my expertise through roles in rehabilitation, geriatric medicine, palliative care, neurology, cardiology, respiratory medicine, surgery, and endoscopy. This breadth of experience demonstrates adaptability, clinical excellence, and a commitment to delivering compassionate care across diverse healthcare settings.
Healthcare executive with 15+ years of leadership experience driving operational excellence, accreditation, and strategic growth across private hospitals. Proven track record in turning financial performance around, implementing cost containment strategies, and expanding services including rehabilitation and neurosurgery. Skilled in governance, risk management, and compliance with NSQHS and ISO standards. Delivered major achievements such as securing government funding, negotiating enterprise agreements, and leading COVID-19 response plans. Known for building high-performing teams, optimizing clinical outcomes, and fostering stakeholder engagement in complex healthcare environment
Ayona is a highly experienced CSSD professional with over 13 years of expertise in sterile services management and operations. Her career began in New Zealand with the Capital and Coast District Health Board, where she worked as a CSSD Technician from 2012 to 2016 across 19 theatres covering all major specialties. She was later promoted to CSSD Coordinator, a role she held from 2016 to 2021, demonstrating strong leadership and quality assurance skills. In 2021, Ayona moved to Australia and joined Frankston Private Hospital as CSSD Manager, continuing in the same capacity after the transition to Peninsula Public Hospital until January 2024. She currently serves as CSSD Manager at Direct Endoscopy, overseeing reprocessing standards and compliance across multiple sites. Ayona is a qualified technician and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration, combining technical expertise with strong managerial and organisational capability.
With over 30 years of experience and more than half a million endoscopic procedures performed, Direct Endoscopy is one of Melbourne’s most established providers of gastroenterology and digestive health services. Our specialist gastroenterologists lead the way in colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and capsule endoscopy, delivering accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment in fully accredited hospital settings.
We provide comprehensive care across all areas of digestive health, from bowel cancer prevention and liver disease management to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and beyond.
Specialist-Led. Patient-Focused.
Expert-Led Patient Care
With over 30 years of experience and more than half a million endoscopic procedures performed, Direct Endoscopy is one of Melbourne’s most established providers of gastroenterology and digestive health services. Our specialist gastroenterologists lead the way in colonoscopy, gastroscopy, and capsule endoscopy, delivering accurate diagnosis and advanced treatment in fully accredited hospital settings.
We provide comprehensive care across all areas of digestive health, from bowel cancer prevention and liver disease management to inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and beyond.