Dr Fiona Wood

I came to Australia 21 years ago because I married a West Australian I met in London. Some of the decisions we make in life stand out as special, who to marry is a big one! For me it also opened the door to Australia and a radical life change. The first morning I arrived I said “quick all get up we can’t miss a sunny day!!” Well I have enjoyed many many sunny days since then. Not many days go by without me being glad, grateful or feeling lucky to be here in Australia.

We have one of the greatest health systems in the world but like everything it could be better with consideration and innovation. I have been privileged to work bring basic science into clinical practise treating people with burn injury. I believe that as we go forward as a nation we can engage in high tech advanced biomedical solutions to health problems we face. However, to do so, each of us needs to take responsibility for our health, wellness and education, with an understanding that the choices we make impacts on those around us.

We are all lucky having opportunities to access information, education and training to make good choices. All the consequences of the choices we make now will influence the live our children and grandchildren live.

Professionally I have been supported to work to share my education and training as a surgeon developing innovative solutions. Personally there is no better place in the world to bring up 6 kids!

Australia for me is a unique and special place were the choice can be made to lead- all we need to do is spread those good news stories!

Dr Fiona Melanie Wood, AM is a British born plastic surgeon and the Director of the Royal Perth Hospital burns unit and the Western Australia Burns Service. In October 2002, Dr Wood was propelled into the media spotlight when the largest proportion of survivors from the 2002 Bali bombings arrived at Royal Perth Hospital. She led a team working to save 28 patients suffering from burns, deadly infections and delayed shock. In 2005, Dr Wood was named Australian of the Year and has been voted the most-trusted Australian in a Reader's Digest poll for six successive years from 2005 to 2010.