Our Practice
In all aspects of patient care, effective communication is paramount to achieving patient satisfaction. One of the core values of my practice is ensuring that every patient understands all aspects of their diagnosis and the clinical care plan that has been developed for them. Myself and my team take pride in developing a strong rapport with not only our patients but their loved ones, who also play an important role in a patients’ journey to recovery, not just physically but emotionally.
Dr Paul Chen
I’m a specialist Breast, Endocrine and General Surgeon with extensive experience in oncoplastic breast surgery, thyroid and parathyroid surgery with the utilisation of nerve monitoring.
I completed my surgical training at St Vincent’s Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney after graduating from the University of Auckland. I then entered a two year post-fellowship training with BreastSurgANZ in oncoplastics breast and endocrine surgery at high volume centres in Perth and Melbourne. In pursuit of techniques in the forefront of breast surgery, I completed further training with world renowned oncoplastics breast surgeons in France and Italy.
In 2018, I attained a Masters of Surgery in Oncoplastics Breast Surgery and was awarded the John Lowenthal Medal for research from the University of Sydney. I have been widely published in surgical peer reviewed journals and have presented internationally in a wide spectrum of surgical topics. I continue to have involvement in the field of oncoplastics now teaching oncoplastic surgery to training breast surgeons.
Effective communication is critical throughout all aspects of medical care and I hold this as one of the core values of my practice. Furthermore, I am a firm believer in achieving patient satisfaction by combining excellent oncological result with maximal aesthetic outcome, delivering the best possible patient care.
With Taiwanese heritage I am multilingual and fluent in English, Taiwanese and Mandarin.
Practice Secretary - Kate
Within Dr Chen’s practice my aim is to enhance patient services by creating a positive workplace culture and developing and implementing new systems that will streamline the patients experience where possible.
I really love my job and particularly enjoy interacting with the patients and their families. I am always ready to welcome our patients with a warm smile.
Aside from being Dr Chen’s practice manager, I am also an administration officer at the Breast Clinic in Chris O’Brien Lifehouse. No two days are the same for me and I am very glad to take on both roles!
Outside of my work, I am a hobbyist photographer and I enjoy playing volleyball and badminton.
Dr Kate FitzSimons
B.Sc, B.Med (Distinction), FANZCA
Dr FitzSimons studied Biochemistry and Physiology at the University of Sydney before completing her Medical degree with Distinction at the University of Newcastle. She undertook Specialist Anaesthesia training at Royal Prince Alfred, St George and Canterbury Hospitals and obtained Fellowship of the Australian and New Zealand College of Anaesthetists (FANZCA).
Her current areas of clinical practice include anaesthesia for Breast, Urological, Colorectal, Orthopaedic and Gynaecological Surgery, as well as Obstetric Anaesthesia and Analgesia. Dr FitzSimons provides tailored anaesthesia care, ensuring her patients feel at ease throughout the perioperative period.
She is actively involved in the teaching and mentorship of anaesthesia trainees and is part of a working group introducing recycling to operating theatres and reducing the carbon footprint of anaesthetic care.
Dr Ryan Downey
BSc (Hons) MBBS FANZCA
Ryan graduated from Medicine at the University of Sydney. He is a specialist anaesthetist at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Chris O’Brien Lifehouse, Mater and Strathfield Private Hospitals and a number of other private hospitals as well as a clinical lecturer at the Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney. His areas of specialty include breast, urological, head and neck, ENT, upper GIT and obstetric anaesthesia. His academic interests include medical education, simulation and crisis management as well as being heavily involved in doctors’ welfare.
His personal interests include Triathlon and he is a keen follower of the Wallabies Rugby Union team.
Allied Health Team
A multi-disciplinary approach is important in many clinical specialties, but it is particularly critical that this is applied in the treatment of breast cancer, with the aim of working together to provide an individualised treatment plan and streamlined clinical pathway to achieve optimal recovery.
My experienced medical colleagues that may be involved in your team-care, include:
Anaesthetists:
- Dr Kate Fitzsimons
- Dr Ryan Downey
Breast Care Nurse:
- Kate Bilton
- Ruth Mirto
Breast Physician
- Dr Wendy Vincent
- Dr Bronwyn Kennedy
- Dr Charon Western
Radiation Oncologist:
- Dr Georgia Harris
- Dr Kavita Morarji
- Dr Regina Tse
Medical Oncologist:
- Associate Professor Jane Beith
- Associate Professor Catriona McNeil
- Dr Mun Hui