MBBS (Hons), MMed (Clin Epi), FRACS
I studied medicine at Sydney University graduating with honours in 1992. I completed my residency at Westmead hospital before commencing training in General Surgery on the Western Sydney rotation. I trained at Westmead and Concord Hospitals and also had excellent experience at Royal Darwin, Canberra and Blacktown Hospitals. I received the FRACS qualification in 2000 whereupon I was selected for post fellowship training in Colorectal Surgery. I completed my training at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney.
I returned to Westmead as a Consultant Staff Specialist in 2002. In 2005 I took a sabbatical year and worked as a consultant surgeon at the Manchester Royal Infirmary in the UK and the Tralee General Hospital in Ireland. I took the opportunity to travel and visit a number of important colorectal institutions around the world.
At Westmead, I have introduced several new techniques and services. I perfomed the first laparoscopic colorectal resections at Westmead Hospital and have since taught the techniques to several trainees and fellows. I set up and continue to direct the Western Colorectal Multidisciplnary Group which has weekly clinics and meeting. Our group is one of the busiest in the country. We collaborate in several important multicentre trials.
I believe in a collaborative approach to patient care and as for cancer care, have started similar clinics for benign disease. I introduced endoanal ultrasonography and set up a dedicated faecal incontinence clinic at Westmead’s University Clinics as part of the weekly Colorectal Clinic. Patients are often co-managed by other pelvic floor specialists such as Urologists and Gynaecologists. I also work closely with specialists in endometriosis and we have dedicated operating time for dual management with myself and Gynaecologists. I am part of a multidisciplinary inflammatory bowel disease clinic at Westmead and often share complex medical and surgical patients with Gastroenterologists.
Most recently I have been appointed to Westmead Childrens Hospital to manage children with inflammatory bowel disease and to take over the management of patients with congenital anorectal and colonic diseases when they become adults.
In 2010 I obtained a Masters of Medicine in Clinical Epidemiology through Sydney University. I am involved in clinical research at Westmead and supervise several ongoing studies. I am a Clinical Senior Lecturer for Sydney University and spend a siginificant time of my working week teaching students, registrars and fellows. From 2005 to 2010 I was the Training Supervisor for the College of Surgeons at Westmead.
In addition to my clinical and teaching roles I have been heavily involved in hospital administration. I was the Director of Trauma from 2008 to 2010, the Director for General Surgery from 2008 to 2010 and continue to sit (since 2006) on Westmead’s Medical Staff Association Executive Committee. I am an ex-board member of Lakeview Private Hospital.
I am strongly committed to the public hospital system and operate at Westmead, Westmead Children’s and Mt Druitt Hospitals. I also operate at Westmead Private Hospital and Lakeview Private Hospital. I perform colonoscopy at all of these institutions.
Despite all of the above I try and spend as much time as I can with my four children. We enjoy travelling, music, tennis, skiing and soccer.
