Training Positions

Position Description

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 180 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 undergoing bilateral prophylactic mastectomy with reconstruction.

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 the management of thyroid, parathyroid and adrenal conditions. Our fellow gains hands-on experience in procedures such as thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy and adrenalectomy, including laparoscopic and robotic surgery techniques. The unit also manages complex endocrine disorders, including insulinomas and inherited endocrine tumour syndromes, such as Multiple Endocrine Neoplasia (MEN) and paraganglioma syndromes. Fellows participate in the weekly Multidisciplinary Endocrine Clinic, run in collaboration with the Endocrinology team, 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.

Given the volume of Endocrine Surgery performed by the unit it would be appropriate for a trainee who has a future interest in both Breast and Endocrine surgical practice.

Unit Consultants
Associate Professor Caroline Baker, Head of Breast Surgery, Breast Surgeon
Dr Jocelyn Lippey, Breast & General Surgeon
Dr Leah Marley, Breast & General Surgeon
Miss Christina Foley, Breast, Endocrine & General Surgeon (Current training Supervisor)
Dr Stephen Farrell, Head of Endocrine Surgery,  Endocrine and General Surgeon
Dr Jane Harding, Endocrine & General Surgeon
Mr Jason Tan, Endocrine & General Surgeon
Dr Tracey Lam, Endocrine & General Surgeon

St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne