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V O L 4 2019 I S S U E

use the San Francisco Match system to rank Early on during the fellowship Professor David Following my year in Adelaide I was accepted
applicants and match them to selected asked me to read the essay “On bullshit” by to work at the Westmead children’s hospital
fellowships. In most other countries including philosopher Harry Frankfurt. I immediately in Sydney. This fellowship included all aspects
Australia, selection is based on Curriculum Vitae knew that this was not going to be any of paediatric plastic surgery as well as cleft/
and reference letters followed by interview for ordinary fellowship. Apart from the important craniofacial surgery. It was extremely useful
selected group of candidates. theoretical and clinical education covering to witness different techniques practiced
all facets of craniofacial surgery, I was able at this centre both in craniosynostosis and
My personal road towards craniomaxillofacial to learn the importance of interdisciplinary cleft surgery. This included use of springs in
surgery began with an undergraduate medical relations and team roles and relationships. craniosynostosis and early secondary alveolar
course followed by internship, residency In addition, I gained understanding of the bone grafting and delayed hard palate repair
and work as a surgical registrar before entry important hierarchal system within the health in the cleft population.
into a five year plastic surgery program. This sector and the role and impact of political
provided me with a solid understanding of and government relationships/policies on Surgical exposure to different centres allows
anatomy, pathology, soft tissue handling and the provision of healthcare. These important one to directly compare and draw from both
reconstructive surgery. positives and negatives. Ultimately, I finished
my second fellowship short due to a consultant
Following this it was important opportunity back in Perth where I have now
to apply to centres purely Professor David awarded 2018 South returned. I currently hold consultant positions
dedicated to craniofacial Australian of the year at the Perth Children’s Hospital and Sir Charles
surgery where I could get Gairdner Hospital where I undertake work in
maximum exposure to this term approach. Patients are regularly reviewed my specialty area of craniofacial surgery.
specialty. in clinic by the multidisciplinary team as
per set protocol based on their conditions. In summary prospective fellows should apply
I was invited to spend my Surgery requires multidisciplinary workup for fellowships tailored to their training goals.
first year of fellowship at the and always involves the neurosurgery team The advantages of working at a dedicated
internationally renowned for intracranial cases. Regular weekly audits at craniofacial centre remain unsurpassed for
Australian Craniofacial Unit. a multidisciplinary facial fracture clinic and 3 fellows who wish to become proficient in
This unit was founded by monthly unit audit allowed for assessment and all areas of craniofacial surgery. Failing this,
Professor David, an Australian reflection of unit outcomes. different programs should be selected so that
pioneer of craniofacial surgery. overall a comprehensive exposure is obtained
He was one of a select group During this year I also completed a Master’s in all major areas.
of surgeons who were to learn degree in Craniofacial surgery. This unique
from Tessier and develop this course, not offered elsewhere was also created Ultimately a fellowship is what you make it.
specialty around the world. In Professor David and Dr Monshizadeh operating on by Professor David to address the need for formal Every experience is a learning opportunity.
1975 Professor David set up the a trauma case theoretical teaching in craniofacial surgery Most importantly remember to have fun along
South Australian Craniofacial Unit, alongside clinical education. This course was the way!
which later became the Australian Craniofacial concepts are rarely taught, or even mentioned run through Macquarie university in Sydney
Unit and in the four decades since he has and are crucial to understand and apply when covering core knowledge in all major areas of I will end with one of my favourite quotes often
devoted all of his time to the specialty, working in any unit. craniofacial surgery ; cleft, craniosynostosis, recited by Professor David. This quote is a line
treating thousands of patients with the help trauma, tumours, orthognathic surgery, rare from the poem by Sir Galahad; “His strength
of a dedicated multidisciplinary team. I was The rewards of spending time at a dedicated clefts and evidence based medicine. The was as the strength of ten, because his heart
incredibly lucky to be one of the last fellows unit are unsurpassed. Rare craniofacial principles taught through the evidence based was pure.” A pure heart fuelled by passion and
working with Professor David before his clinical syndromes are seen regularly, complex surgery medicine unit were able to be applied to drive to better the lives of our patients is the
retirement in 2018. Not only was I able to learn becomes routine and witnessing the daily research undertaken during the fellowship. The most important ingredient for success.
from a pioneer in the field but at a time when functions and setup of dedicated unit enables importance of scientific enquiry, surgical audit
he had reached the culmination of a lifetime of one to understand how to make a unit work and application of evidenced based medicine
hard work and dedication to his specialty. incorporating a multidisciplinary and long to surgical practice cannot be overemphasised.

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