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Position:
Breast Fellow
Level:
First Year
Location:
Christchurch Public Hospital, Riccarton Avenue. Christchurch Central;
Southern Cross Hospital (Private), 132 Bealey Avenue, Richmond, Christchurch;
St. George's Hospital (Private), 249 Papanui Road, Strowan. Christchurch
Contact:
Josie Todd
The Breast Unit in Christchurch offers a comprehensive Oncoplastic experience for advanced trainees. Later in 2025, we have our 4th Oncoplastic trained SMO joining the team following her overseas fellowship experience in the UK. She also has a special interest in Sarcoma surgery.
In February next year, the 5th Oncoplastic Breast and General surgeon will be joining the team having successfully completed her BreastSurgANZ Fellowship.
Our unit provides a range of Oncoplastic based procedures including TRM, volume replacement flaps with increased emphasis on breast conserving surgery where possible. Immediate reconstruction is offered by three of the surgeons who undertake their own implant and autologous LD flap reconstruction while the other surgeons work in conjunction with the Plastics and Reconstructive team (they offer DIEP and other autologous and implant based reconstruction).
The unit is supported by 5 Breast Care Nurses who coordinate the MDM and post operative wound support for patients. Apart from Oncoplastic breast surgery, the trainee will have an opportunity to expand on endocrine experience.
We are keen for the Fellow to take ownership of their training so that they can obtain the maximum experience from their year with us. The Breast Unit is part of a 32 SMO General Surgical department which works closely with other services in a large tertiary hospital. As a teaching unit (part of Otago University), we have a range of trainees including 4th year medical students, trainee interns and multiple steps from foundation year doctors to post fellowship level candidate. We have a strong culture of respectful and collegial learning and support of trainees
Christchurch has a vibrant arts and theatre culture, excellent restaurants, and within easy travel distance from many beautiful tourist destinations around the South Island such as Aakaroa, Kaikoura, Tekapo, Queenstown, etc. For those who enjoy adventure sports, hiking, biking trails, skiing, skydiving, paragliding, bungee jumping, etc; this is the ideal training destination.
2026 Unit Consultants
Josie Todd, Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
Michael Swinden, Oncoplastic Breast & General Surgeon
Hayley Waller, Breast, Endocrine & General Surgeon
Anna Morrow, Oncoplastic Breast, Sarcoma and General Surgeon
Ashwini Pondicherry, Oncoplastic Breast & General Surgeon
Malcolm Ward, Breast & General Surgeon
Breast Oncoplastic Surgery:
Volume replacement flap (Li-CAP, LTAP, Mi-CAP, Ai-CAP), Therapeutic Mammoplasty, Grissoti, J flaps, Batwing, Lejour
Breast Reconstruction Surgery:
Immediate implant reconstruction (prepectoral and subpectoral with mesh support), Tissue-expander, LD flap
General and Other Surgery:
Acute general surgery on-call commitments including SMO level call on weekends and occasionally on week days to cover SMO leave. Lap chole, lap appendix, laparotomy, trauma laparotomy, hernia, abscess, etc. Trainee has the option of endoscopy sessions if desired.
Breakdown of hours:
On average 3 clinic sessions per week. On average between 2-3 all day theatre sessions. General Surgery Department meeting 1 session. Weekly M&M and Trauma meeting. 1 in 4 Saturday long day Fellow on call
Private Consulting:
Breast Screening option to join
MDT:
1. Diagnostic Radiology Breast MDM; 2. Post op Breast MDM with Oncologist
Academic & Research:
Fellows are encouraged to participate in annual Breast Unit Audit (Unit activity) and one Clinical research project. Breast Cancer Data Manager based in Christchurch who can assist with project and data collection.
Funded:
1-year FTE role commencing February 2026
Salary:
Full time salary equivalent to Senior Registrar salary (or greater) and minimum salary package and requirements and conditions as required by law in the Hospital jurisdiction will apply
Further Information:
Christchurch Clinical Research Unit Breast Cancer Data manager and team
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