Why did you join AHSS?
Initially to learn from and- hopefully soon- contribute to the collective knowledge and experience of the group of talented surgeons. Trips to Port Douglas and Hawaii also a nice bonus…!
Do you have any particular areas of interest in hand surgery practice/research?
Whilst enjoying all aspects of hand surgery, I really am best trained in congenital hand and microsurgery. This makes up the bulk of my public practice, and within that subspecialty I have enjoyed expanding my practice in spasticity surgery over the past couple of years.
Where did you do Fellowship/PFET training and what were the highlights?
I did my hand and microsurgery fellowship locally at the Royal Children’s Hospital. This provides one of the strongest fellowship experiences in the world of congenital hand surgery, and I was privileged to be offered a job to stay on after that. I had planned to venture further abroad but in July 2020 that was difficult (let alone with an unimmunised 5 month old son to consider). I have subsequently gained experience from my ASSH International Travelling fellowship, and next month I am visiting Caroline LeClercq also, in Paris, to learn more in the field of spasticity surgery.
How do you define success?
Success tends to be the culmination of piles of hard work, directed in the right direction; and then relished properly, rather than simply moving onto the next goal / objective.
Who is your biggest inspiration and why?
I have a few great surgical mentors to choose from here, but I think from an inspiration point of view there is a senior surgeon in Melbourne called Michael Leung. He ticks every box for how we should conduct ourselves and support others, and professionally has achieved every success also. I’m aware of my previous and ongoing privilege as a while male; and seeing others achieve a huge amount, against the ‘odds’, is both inspiring and humbling.
Outside of surgery Ash Barty is my pick. I’m a complete sports tragic, and anyone who can perform at the highest level in multiple sporting codes (also Barrie Robran, Elyse Perry, Craig Bradley…) gains huge respect from me. Ash takes the cake a though, for being both so humble and professional.
How has AHSS helped you throughout your career?
I was extremely lucky to have been proposed by the AHSS for the ASSH travelling fellowship last year. I spent over three weeks travelling around the USA and Canada, and have gained so much confidence, experience, and friendships from this trip.
What have been your personal career highlights?
I find the highlights in individual patient moments. Doing a first successful pollicisation, replanting and managing a child’s mangled limb and then watching them go onto achieve happiness and success. Getting asked to speak about Spasticity at the recent meeting in Hawaii was also nice, but I felt like an imposter sharing the stage with Dan Zlotolow…
What advice would you give to new Members of AHSS?
I consider myself as new member to be honest, so perhaps this is advice that I should heed rather than give out! It’s certainly my intention to try and not only attend each meeting but actively present something and learn as much as possible – particularly from conversations over dinner etc, rather than just the lectures.
What advice would you give your younger post-fellowship self?
Don’t sweat the small stuff… Everyone has an occasional post-op infection or reduced range after a fracture…
Tell us a fun fact about yourself that not many people know?
I had 3 mallet fingers in my final season of playing Australian rules football and didn’t bother treating the last one. It’s a fantastic prop to use for patients when educating them about splint compliance.
