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Position:
Breast & Endocrine Surgery Fellowship
Level:
First Year
Location:
41 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy, 3065
Contact:
Miss Christina Foley
Contact:
St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne Breast and Endocrine Surgery Fellowship
Our fellowship provides training in all aspects of Breast and Endocrine Surgery within a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment. Fellows gain operative and clinical exposure across both the Breast Surgery Unit (4 Surgeons) and the Endocrine Surgery Unit (5 Surgeons), with 7–9 theatre sessions per week.
The Breast Surgery Unit manages approximately 140 new breast cancer cases annually within a multidisciplinary setting. Our fellow acquires experience in the management of both neoplastic and non-neoplastic breast disease through active participation in the weekly Breast Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meeting, our multidisciplinary Breast Outpatient Clinic, and regular sessions at St Vincent’s BreastScreen.
The unit is performing an increasing volume of Level I and Level II Oncoplastic procedures. We collaborate closely with our Plastic Surgery Unit and have regular combined operating lists dedicated to facilitating both therapeutic reconstruction for cancer patients as well as prophylactic surgery in the management of high-risk/BRCA-positive patients.
Fellows also contribute to and benefit from ongoing education through our monthly Breast Unit education sessions and attend the Victorian Breast Journal Club meetings.
The Endocrine Surgery Unit provides broad exposure to the full spectrum of endocrine surgical practice, including thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal conditions. Our fellow gains hands-on experience in procedures such as thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy and adrenalectomy, including laparoscopic and robotic techniques. The unit also manages complex endocrine disorders, including insulinomas and inherited endocrine tumour syndromes. Fellows participate in the weekly Multidisciplinary Endocrine Clinic and attend the monthly Endocrine Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Meeting.
Our fellow obtains training in surgeon-performed breast and endocrine ultrasound in both diagnostic and intraoperative settings. Fellows will continue to build their general surgery experience by attending a weekly General Surgery Outpatient Clinic and taking part in the acute general surgery on-call roster in a junior consultant role. Fellows are also involved in the teaching and supervision of SET and Pre-SET trainees and medical students.
Fellows are expected to actively participate in the ongoing research activities of the unit. In addition, each fellow is required to undertake an individual research project during the fellowship year. Research activities are well supported by our research assistant.
Unit Consultants
A/Prof Caroline Baker, Head of Breast Surgery, Breast Surgeon
Mr Stephen Farrell, Head of Endocrine Surgery, Endocrine and General Surgeon
Dr Jocelyn Lippey, Breast & General Surgeon
Miss Christina Foley, Breast, Endocrine & General Surgeon
Dr Leah Marley, Breast & General Surgeon
Dr Jane Harding, Endocrine & General Surgeon
Mr Jason Tan, Endocrine & General Surgeon
Dr Tracey Lam, Endocrine & General Surgeon
| Hospital culture is one of respect and professionalism | Yes |
| A published and accessible complaint management process | Yes |
| Computer facilities / IT Support | Yes |
| Private Study Areas | Yes |
| General hospital educational activities | Yes |
| Regular supervision, assessment, and feedback | Yes |
| Safe hours practised | Yes |
| Access to external education activities for Fellow | Yes |
| Credentialed and specialist surgical staff committed to assist surgical training of BreastSurgANZ Fellow | Yes |
Breast Oncoplastic Surgery:
Approximately 25 cases per year
Breast Reconstruction Surgery:
~ 30 cases per year in conjunction with Plastic Surgery Unit
General and Other Surgery:
~ 150 Endocrine surgeries per year including thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, adrenal and endocrine pancreas. Elective General Surgery (hernia/lap chole/minors) & Emergency General Surgery.
Breakdown of hours:
7-9 theatre sessions per week. 3 Outpatients Clinics (Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic, Multidisciplinary Endocrine Clinic, General Surgery Clinic), Fellow General Surgery On call 1:3 cycle
Private Consulting:
Not applicable
MDT:
Weekly Breast Multidisciplinary Meeting followed by Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic Monthly Multidisciplinary Endocrine Meeting.
Academic & Research:
Our Fellow participates in existing research activities as well as being encouraged to undertake further projects during their year. We have a monthly multidisciplinary Breast educational meeting
Funded:
1 year Full Time Equivalent role commencing on start date early 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:
We have a Research Assistant who assists with unit research activities including Biobanking, Management of BRENDA - our clinical database collating medical info as well as PROMS and Breast Care Nurses. ~140 cancers / year treated within a multidisciplinary setting. 3 breast theatre sessions per week + additional combined theatre with Plastics as required. Weekly Multidisciplinary Breast Clinic & regular attendance at St Vincent’s Breastscreen.
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