I was educated at the University of Adelaide Medical School and undertook my early years as a junior doctor in the prestigious Westmead Hospital in Sydney. I then worked for 6 years as an emergency registrar in the trauma centre at Nepean Hospital in Sydney’s far west where I acquired skills and knowledge important for managing any health condition be it minor or life-threatening. My next year was as a neurosurgical registrar, which gave me important insights into diseases and conditions affecting the central nervous system.
My training in ophthalmology began in country New South Wales, working in the Orange Eye Centre for 2 years before entering the South Australian Ophthalmology training scheme in 2004. My training was extensive and gave me an in depth understanding of diseases of the eye including glaucoma, diabetes, macular degeneration and retinal vein occlusion. I also received comprehensive procedural training and became proficient in surgeries for such conditions as cataract, glaucoma, pterygium and minor lid. Following the completion of my training I undertook my Glaucoma Fellowship in Addenbrookes Hospital at Cambridge University, in the United Kingdom. This advanced training equipped me with further skills and subspecialty interests in surgical techniques to manage advanced glaucoma (including trabeculectomy surgery, Molteno tube implantation and Cyclodiode Laser) and complex cataract.
When I returned to Adelaide, I took up positions at two public hospitals. I am an Associate Professor of Ophthalmology at the Flinders Medical Centre and was the Director of Ophthalmology at the Repatriation General Hospital where I supervised ophthalmology registrars in training. When the Weatherill government closed the Repat in 2017 after 75 years of dedicated service, the eye outpatient clinic was moved to the Mark Oliphant Building on Laffer Drive, Bedford Park. Because of this, patient services and registrar training are thankfully able to continue. In my private practice at Eyemedics, I consult at two city locations, including Greenhill road Wayville and South road Morphett Vale. I also provide a regional service to Port Lincoln.
I regularly visit Alice Springs Hospital, where I provide subspecialty services for their resident Ophthalmologist, Dr Tim Henderson. In addition I have travelled to Vientiane, Laos to provide teaching and training to the glaucoma fellows at the Vientiane Ophthalmology Centre.
I am the South Australian representative to the Australian & New Zealand Glaucoma Interest Group and I am a member of the South Australian branch of the Royal Australian & New Zealand College of Ophthalmology and of the Australian Society of Ophthalmologists.