An expert team, with you every step of the way

Melbourne Gastro Oesophageal Surgery offers an unparalleled level of support to patients. Our comprehensive team is on-hand to answer your questions every step of the way.

Melbourne’s top surgeons all under one clinic, supported by a comprehensive team:

Accredited Dietitians

Practice Nurses

Psychologists & Counselors

Physicians

Admin & PA Support

Our Surgeons

Our 3 surgeons are highly trained and experienced in upper GI and general surgery. Our surgeons are up-to-date with the most modern techniques and are involved in medical research and teaching.

Headshot of Associate Professor Michael Hii in a dark blazer and light blue dress shirt, standing against a plain light background.

A/Prof. Michael Hii

FRACS MBBS BMedSci PGDipSurgAnat
Oesophago-Gastric and Bariatric Surgeon

  • A/Prof. Michael Hii, MBBS, FRACS, is an Oesophago-Gastric Surgeon specialising in the management of complex disorders of the oesophagus and stomach. He is a Consultant Surgeon at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and St Vincent’s Private Hospital Melbourne, and holds an honorary Clinical Associate Professorship with the University of Melbourne. He serves as Deputy Director of the Hepatobiliary and Upper Gastrointestinal Unit at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

    A/Prof. Hii completed his medical degree at the University of Melbourne and undertook surgical training at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne and Eastern Health. He was awarded Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2009 and completed advanced subspecialty training in oesophago-gastric surgery in Melbourne and Brisbane.

    His clinical practice is focused on oesophageal and gastric disease, including oesophageal and gastric cancer, reflux disease, hiatus hernia, Barrett’s oesophagus, and oesophageal motility disorders such as achalasia. He has extensive experience in minimally invasive and complex oesophago-gastric procedures, including anti-reflux surgery, oesophageal myotomy, gastrectomy, and revisional foregut surgery. He is frequently referred complex and revisional cases from across Victoria, reflecting his experience in managing challenging foregut conditions. His practice places particular emphasis on careful patient selection, multidisciplinary management, and achieving durable functional outcomes.

    A/Prof. Hii leads the St Vincent’s Upper GI and Hepatobiliary Research Group and has published widely in upper gastrointestinal surgery. His research interests include optimising outcomes following major foregut surgery, enhanced recovery pathways, and the physiological and functional consequences of oesophageal and gastric interventions.

    He is actively involved in surgical education and training, contributing to undergraduate, postgraduate, and fellowship-level teaching through the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

    In addition to his clinical and academic work, he is the founding Chair of The HOPE Fund, a charitable foundation supporting research and improved care for patients undergoing major upper gastrointestinal surgery.

    Michael completed medical school at the University of Melbourne and then surgical training at St Vincent’s Hospital and Eastern Health. He was awarded his surgical fellowship in 2009 and underwent subspecialty training in Melbourne and Brisbane.

    Michael enjoys a busy clinical workload in addition to his interest in research and education. He is one of the highest volume surgeons in Victoria and Australia. Mr. Hii's clinical areas of interest include the treatment of oesophageal and gastric cancer, hiatus hernia repair, anti-reflux surgery, surgery for achalasia and obesity surgery (including gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and revision procedures). Research areas of interest include enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) programs, the role of exercise in cancer treatment and understanding the mechanisms behind weight loss surgery.

    Michael is a founding member and current chairperson of The HOPE Fund, a charity established in 2018 to support better care and better outcomes for hepatobiliary and upper gastrointestinal patients. He is a clinical senior fellow at the University of Melbourne and

    Outside of work Michael is passionate about his family time; he adores his three daughters. He also keeps fit with HIIT exercise, loves collecting old guitars, gets active in the garden, enjoys a glass of wine and hitting golf balls out of the rough.

  • • Oesophago-Gastric surgery fellow, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, 2011-2012

    • Obesity surgery fellow, Royal Brisbane and Womens’ Hospital, Brisbane, 2011

    • Upper GI and HPB fellow, St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne, 2010

    • Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), General Surgery, 2009

    • Post Graduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy, Melbourne University Private, 2005

    • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, Melbourne University, 2000

    • Bachelor of Medical Science, Melbourne University, 2000

    1. Hii MW, Gibson RN, Speer AG, Collier NA, Sherson N, Jardine C. Role of radiology in the treatment of malignant hilar biliary strictures 2: 10 years of single-institution experience with percutaneous treatment. Australas Radiol. 2003 Dec;47(4):393–403.

    2. Hii MW, Gibson RN. Role of radiology in the treatment of malignant hilar biliary strictures 1: review of the literature. Australas Radiol. 2004 Mar;48(1):3–13.

    3. Hii MW, Firkin FC, MacIsaac AI, Yii M. Obstructive prosthetic mitral valve thrombosis in idiopathic hypereosinophilic syndrome: a case report and review of the literature. J Heart Valve Dis. 2006 Sep;15(5):721–725.

    4. Hii MW, Fox AM, Cade RJ. Laparoscopy-assisted percutaneous-endoscopic gastrostomy tube insertion. ANZ J Surg. 2008 Nov;78(11):1047.

    5. Barrett K, Hii MW, Cade RJ. Benign gastro-colic fistula in a woman presenting with weight loss and intermittent vomiting: a case report. J Med Case Rep. 2011 Jul 14;5:313.

    6. Gyorki DE, Clarke NE, Hii MW, Banting SW, Cade RJ. Management of synchronous tumours of the oesophagus and pancreatic head: a novel approach. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2011 Sep;93(6):e111–e113.

    7. Hii MW, Gyorki DE, Sakata K, Cade RJ, Banting SW. Endoscopic management of post-cholecystectomy biliary fistula. HPB (Oxford). 2011 Oct;13(10):699–705.

    8. Hii MW, Clarke NE, Hopkins GH. Gastrogastric herniation: an unusual complication following greater curve plication for the treatment of morbid obesity. Ann R Coll Surg Engl. 2012 Mar;94(2):e76–e78.

    9. Hii MW, Lake AC, Kenfield C, Hopkins GH. Laparoscopic conversion of failed gastric banding to Roux-en-Y gastric bypass: short-term follow-up and technical considerations. Obes Surg. 2012 Jul;22(7):1022–1028.

    10. Hii MW, Smithers BM, Gotley DC, Thomas JM, Thomson I, Martin I, Barbour AP. Impact of postoperative morbidity on long-term survival after oesophagectomy. Br J Surg. 2013 Jan;100(1):95–104.

    11. Walker DM, Hii MW, Skinner CE, Hopkins GH. Roux-en-Y gastric bypass after successful weight loss with a laparoscopic adjustable gastric band: rationales and early outcomes in patients of BMI < 35 kg/m². Surg Obes Relat Dis. 2014 Nov-Dec;10(6):1104–1108.

    12. Punwani VV, Ong E, Hii MW. Cervical diverticulitis: a novel complication of a neonatal colonic interposition graft following oesophagectomy. BMJ Case Rep. 2015 Sep 9;2015.

    13. Crispin MD, Chan KJ, Winter N, Hii M. Esophageal apoplexy. J Gastrointest Surg. 2016 Aug;20(8):1535–1536.

    14. Granek RJ, Hii MW, Ward SM. Major gastric haemorrhage after intragastric balloon insertion: case report. Obes Surg. 2018 Jan;28(1):281–284.

    15. Edward KL, Hii MW, Giandinoto JA, Hennessy J, Thompson L. Personal descriptions of life before and after bariatric surgery from overweight or obese men. Am J Mens Health. 2018 Mar;12(2):265–273 (publication first released in 2016).

    16. Chen RJ, Sun YQ, Hii MW, Johnson MA. Chondrolipoma of the stomach. BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Mar 15;12(3).

    17. Maharaj AD, Holland JF, Scarborough RO, et al. The Upper Gastrointestinal Cancer Registry (UGICR): a clinical quality registry to monitor and improve care in upper gastrointestinal cancers. BMJ Open. 2019 Sep 30;9(9):e031434.

    18. Chae RP, Johnson MA, Robinson D, Hii MW. Aorto-oesophageal fistula: a late complication of Boerhaave syndrome. BMJ Case Rep. 2019 Jul 4;12(7).

    19. Marley L, Navadgi S, Banting S, Fox A, Hii M, Knowles B. Safety, efficacy and compliance of extended thromboprophylaxis in hepatobiliary and upper gastrointestinal surgery. ANZ J Surg. 2019 Apr;89(4):357–361.

    20. Ooi GJ, Browning A, Hii MW, Read M. Perioperative screening, management, and surveillance of Barrett's esophagus in bariatric surgical patients. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2020 Dec;1481(1):224–235.

    21. Badgery H, Read M, Winter NN, Taylor ACF, Hii MW. The role of esophagectomy in the management of Barrett's esophagus with high-grade dysplasia. Ann N Y Acad Sci. 2020 Dec;1481(1):72–89.

    22. Delaying surgery for patients with a previous SARS-CoV-2 infection. (Letter) Br J Surg. 2020 Nov;107(12):e601–e602.

    23. Sivakumar J, Sivakumar H, Read M, Sinclair RCF, Snowden CP, Hii MW. The role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing as a risk assessment tool in patients undergoing oesophagectomy: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Ann Surg Oncol. 2020 Oct;27(10):3783–3796.

    24. Sivakumar J, Sivakumar H, Hii MW. ASO author reflections: what is the role of cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to oesophagectomy? Ann Surg Oncol. 2020 Oct;27(10):3797–3798.

    25. Sivakumar J, Chong L, Ward S, Sutherland TR, Read M, Hii MW. Body composition changes following a very-low-calorie pre-operative diet in patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Obes Surg. 2020 Jan;30(1):119–126.

    26. International Variation in Surgical Practices in Units Performing Oesophagectomy for Oesophageal Cancer: A Unit Survey from the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA). World J Surg. 2019 Nov;43(11):2874–2884.

    27. Edward KL, Hii MW, Giandinoto JA, Hennessy J, Thompson L. Personal descriptions of life before and after bariatric surgery from overweight or obese men. (Early online release in 2016, print in 2018).

    28. Sivakumar J, Forshaw MJ, Lam S, et al. Identifying the limitations of cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to esophagectomy using a pooled analysis of patient-level data. Dis Esophagus. 2022 Nov 15;35(11).

    29. SARS-CoV-2 infection and venous thromboembolism after surgery: an international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia. 2022 Jan;77(1):28–39.

    30. Sivakumar J, Alnimri F, Johnson MA, Ward S, Chong L, Hii MW. Health economic analysis of curative-intent gastrectomy for gastric carcinoma and the costs related to post-operative complications. ANZ J Surg. 2021 Jan;91(1–2):E1–E6.

    31. Post-operative outcomes in oesophagectomy with trainee involvement. BJS Open. 2021 Nov 9;5(6).

    32. Effects of pre-operative isolation on postoperative pulmonary complications after elective surgery. Anaesthesia. 2021 Nov;76(11):1454–1464.

    33. Effect of COVID-19 pandemic lockdowns on planned cancer surgery for 15 tumour types in 61 countries: an international prospective cohort study. Lancet Oncol. 2021 Nov;22(11):1507–1517.

    34. SARS-CoV-2 vaccination modelling for safe surgery to save lives: data from an international prospective cohort study. Br J Surg. 2021 Sep 27;108(9):1056–1063.

    35. Timing of surgery following SARS-CoV-2 infection: an international prospective cohort study. Anaesthesia. 2021 Jun;76(6):748–758.

    36. Mortality from esophagectomy for oesophageal cancer across low, middle, and high-income countries: an international cohort study. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2021 Jun;47(6):1481–1488.

    37. Alnimri F, Sivakumar J, Sutherland T, Johnson MA, Ward S, Chong L, Hii MW. Pre-operative low muscle mass is associated with major complications and lower recurrence-free survival after gastric cancer surgery. ANZ J Surg. 2021 Mar;91(3):316–322.

    38. Preoperative nasopharyngeal swab testing and postoperative pulmonary complications in patients undergoing elective surgery during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic. Br J Surg. 2021 Jan 27;108(1):88–96.

    39. Anastomotic leak following oesophagectomy: research priorities from an international Delphi consensus study. Br J Surg. 2021 Jan 27;108(1):66–73.

    40. Glasbey JC, Nepogodiev D, Simoes JFF, et al. Elective cancer surgery in COVID-19-free surgical pathways during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic: an international, multicentre, comparative cohort study. J Clin Oncol. 2021 Jan 1;39(1):66–78.

    41. Singhal R, Tahrani AA, Ludwig C, Mahawar K. Global 30-day outcomes after bariatric surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic (GENEVA). Lancet Diabetes Endocrinol. 2021 Jan;9(1):7–9.

    42. Cabalag CS, Yates M, Corrales MB, et al. Potential clinical utility of a targeted circulating tumour DNA assay in oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg. 2022 Aug;276(2):e120–e126.

    43. Sivakumar J, Chen Q, Sutherland TR, Read M, Ward S, Chong L, Hii MW. Body composition differences between excess weight loss ≥50 % and <50 % at 12 months following bariatric surgery. Obes Surg. 2022 Aug;32(8):2556–2566.

    44. Textbook outcome following oesophagectomy for cancer: international cohort study. Br J Surg. 2022 Apr 19;109(5):439–449.

    45. Rates of anastomotic complications and their management following esophagectomy: results of the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA). Ann Surg. 2022 Feb;275(2):e382–e391.

    46. Sivakumar J, Chen Q, Hii MW, Cullinan M, Choi J, Steven M, Crosthwaite G. Learning curve of laparoscopic inguinal hernia repair: systematic review, meta-analysis and meta-regression. Surg Endosc. 2023 Apr;37(4):2453–2475.

    47. El-Mohamed J, Tissot S, Hart O, Farag M, Chong L, Hii MW. The psychological impact of applying for specialty training: a comparison between surgery and other specialties. ANZ J Surg. 2023 Mar;93(3):459–461.

    48. Cocco AM, Chai V, Read M, Ward S, Johnson MA, Chong L, Gillespie C, Hii MW. Percentage of intrathoracic stomach predicts operative and post-operative morbidity, persistent reflux and PPI requirement after laparoscopic hiatus hernia repair and fundoplication. Surg Endosc. 2023 Mar;37(3):1994–2002.

    49. Cabalag CS, Prall OWJ, Ciciulla J, et al. Tumor-infiltrating neutrophils after neoadjuvant therapy are associated with poor prognosis in esophageal cancer. Ann Surg Oncol. 2023 Mar;30(3):1614–1625. (and Visual Abstract in same issue).

    50. McOwan M, Johnson MA, Ward S, Read M, Chong L, Taylor L, Hii MW. C-reactive protein is a predictor of severe infective complications following gastrectomy—a retrospective analysis. J Gastrointest Oncol. 2023 Feb 28;14(1):64–72.

    51. Nikolic AL, Gullifer J, Johnson MA, Hii MW. Oesophageal neuroendocrine tumours—case series of a rare malignancy. J Surg Case Rep. 2022 Dec;2022(12):rjac582.

    52. Singhal R, Wiggins T, Pouwels S, et al. Handling of the Covid-19 pandemic and its effects on bariatric surgical practice: analysis of the GENEVA study database. Obes Surg. 2022 Dec;32(12):3908–3921.

    53. Sivakumar J, Forshaw MJ, Lam S, et al. Identifying the limitations of cardiopulmonary exercise testing prior to esophagectomy using a pooled analysis of patient-level data. Dis Esophagus. 2022 Nov 15;35(11).

    54. Elective surgery system strengthening: development, measurement, and validation of the surgical preparedness index across 1632 hospitals in 119 countries. Lancet. 2022 Nov 5;400(10363):1607–1617.

    55. Fotopoulou C, Khan T, Bracinik J, et al. Outcomes of gynecologic cancer surgery during the COVID-19 pandemic: an international, multicentre, prospective CovidSurg-Gynecologic Oncology Cancer study. Am J Obstet Gynecol. 2022 Nov;227(5):735.e1–735.e25.

    56. Browning AF, Chong L, Read M, Hii MW. Economic burden of complications and readmission following oesophageal cancer surgery. ANZ J Surg. 2022 Nov;92(11):2901–2906.

    57. Fink T, Chen Q, Chong L, Hii MW, Knowles B. Telemedicine versus face-to-face follow‑up in general surgery: a randomized controlled trial. ANZ J Surg. 2022 Oct;92(10):2544–2550.

    58. The influence of anastomotic techniques on postoperative anastomotic complications: results of the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit. J Thorac Cardiovasc Surg. 2022 Sep;164(3):674–684.e5.

    59. Ubels S, Verstegen MHP, Klarenbeek BR, et al. Severity of oesophageal anastomotic leak in patients after oesophagectomy: the SEAL score. Br J Surg. 2022 Aug 16;109(9):864–871.

    60. Cabalag CS, Yates M, Corrales MB, et al. Potential clinical utility of a targeted circulating tumour DNA assay in oesophageal adenocarcinoma. Ann Surg. 2022 Aug;276(2):e120–e126. (repeated in earlier list)

    61. Sivakumar J, Chen Q, Sutherland TR, Read M, Ward S, Chong L, Hii MW. Body composition differences between excess weight loss ≥50 % and <50 % at 12 months following bariatric surgery. Obes Surg. 2022 Aug;32(8):2556–2566. (appears earlier)

    62. Textbook outcome following oesophagectomy for cancer: international cohort study. Br J Surg. 2022 Apr 19;109(5):439–449. (appears earlier)

    63. Rates of anastomotic complications and their management following esophagectomy: results of the Oesophago-Gastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA). Ann Surg. 2022 Feb;275(2):e382–e391. (appears earlier)

    64. Ubels S, Matthée E, Verstegen M, et al. Practice variation in anastomotic leak after esophagectomy: unravelling differences in failure to rescue. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023 May;49(5):974–982.

    65. Postoperative and pathological outcomes of CROSS and FLOT as neoadjuvant therapy for esophageal and junctional adenocarcinoma: an international cohort study from the Oesophagogastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA). Ann Surg. 2023 May 1;277(5):e1026–e1034.

    66. Ubels S, Verstegen MHP, Klarenbeek BR, et al. Treatment of anastomotic leak after oesophagectomy for oesophageal cancer: large, collaborative, observational TENTACLE cohort study. Br J Surg. 2023 Jun 12;110(7):852–863.

    67. Ubels S, Matthée E, Verstegen M, et al. Erratum to "Practice variation in anastomotic leak after esophagectomy: Unravelling differences in failure to rescue". Eur J Surg Oncol. 2023 Sep;49(9):106993.

    68. Mollah T, Gillespie C, Cocco A, Taylor L, Chong L, Hii MW. Defining physiological ketosis following very-low-calorie diets. J Surg Res. 2023 Oct;290:197–202.

    69. Snow H, Hodgson R, Hii MW, et al. Environmentally sustainable surgery: a plea to act. ANZ J Surg. 2023 Nov;93(11):2562–2564.

    70. Walmsley R, Chong L, Hii MW, Brown RM, Sumithran P. The effect of bariatric surgery on the expression of gastrointestinal taste receptors: a systematic review. Rev Endocr Metab Disord. 2024 Jan 11.

    71. Santucci W, Choy A, Cheng Q, Ward S, Winter N, Hii MW. Small bowel obstruction secondary to barbed sutures in bariatric surgery: a cautionary tale. ANZ J Surg. 2024 Jul-Aug;94(7-8):1313-1316. doi: 10.1111/ans.18892. Epub 2024 Feb 26.PMID: 38407555Predictors of anastomotic leak and conduit necrosis after oesophagectomy: Results from the oesophago-gastric anastomosis audit (OGAA).

    72. Griffiths EA; Oesophago-Gastric Anastomotic Audit (OGAA) Collaborative; Writing Committee; Data Analysis; Steering Committee; National Leads; Site Leads; Collaborators. Eur J Surg Oncol. 2024 Jun;50(6):107983. doi: 10.1016/j.ejso.2024.107983. Epub 2024 Mar 7. PMID: 38613995

    73. Roberts G, McKay B, Nathanson A, Hii MW, Banting S. Endoscopic management of ingested toothpick resulting in duodeno-ureteric fistula. J Surg Case Rep. 2024 Apr 18;2024(4):rjae214. doi: 10.1093/jscr/rjae214. eCollection 2024 Apr. PMID: 38638924

    74. A prognostic model for use before elective surgery to estimate the risk of postoperative pulmonary complications (GSU-Pulmonary Score): a development and validation study in three international cohorts.NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery; STARSurg Collaborative. Lancet Digit Health. 2024 Jul;6(7):e507-e519. doi: 10.1016/S2589-7500(24)00065-7.PMID: 38906616

    75. Sivakumar J, Chen Q, Chong L, Read M, Ward S, Winter N, Sutherland TR, Hii MW. Effect of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy versus laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass on body composition. ANZ J Surg. 2024 Jul-Aug;94(7-8):1317-1323. doi: 10.1111/ans.19160. Epub 2024 Jul 12. PMID: 38994901

    76. Sivakumar J, Chen Q, Bull N, Hii MW, Al-Habbal Y, Duong CP. Determining the learning curve of minimally invasive antireflux surgery: systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression. Dis Esophagus. 2024 Nov 28;37(12):doae073. doi: 10.1093/dote/doae073. PMID: 39245808

    77. Macpherson KJ; POSTVenTT International Collaborative. Postoperative anaemia increases unplanned readmission: an international prospective cohort study of patients undergoing major abdominal surgery. Br J Surg. 2024 Jul 2;111(7):znae158. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znae158. Erratum in: Br J Surg. 2025 May 31;112(6):znaf118. doi: 10.1093/bjs/znaf118. PMID: 39431881; PMCID: PMC11238848.

    78. Oesophago-Gastric Anastomotic Audit (OGAA) Collaborative. Postoperative outcomes after minimally invasive esophagectomy: an international cohort study from the Oesophagogastric Anastomosis Audit (OGAA). BMC Surg. 2025 May 22;25(1):225. doi: 10.1186/s12893-025-02941-6. PMID: 40405118; PMCID: PMC12096545.

    79. Neves-Marques C, Abulazayem M, Wong GYM, Maldonado RD, Viswanath Y, Boddy A, Donohoe C, Scarano JP, Martinino A, Aamery A, Abdulkhakimov N, Abuobaida EE, Aday U, Al-Shami K, Alhajami F, Almeida A, Almoshantaf MB, Ahmed H, Andrada M, Anwer AW, Awad AK, Baili E, Baraket O, Barbosa J, Baker C, Bakri A, Boras Z, Caiado A, Cayirci C, Calini G, Cianci P, Cinal E, Chouliaras C, Colak E, Correia MT, Costeira B, Davletshina V, D'Acapito F, Donmez T, Drozdov E, Ercolani G, Erdene S, Erginöz E, Ferreira SR, Fragoso M, Framarini M, Galandarova A, Genser L, Gorohov I, Grosek J, Guerrero S, Hasırcı I, Ibrahimli A, Ithurralde-Argerich J, Karabulut M, Kinoshita T, Khalid IB, Khan K, Khattak S, Khomyakov V, Krawczyk W, Khamees A, Kostrygin A, Košir J, Lorenc Z, Milhomem J, Marom G, Melo A, Menasria A, Meric S, Mulita F, Muratore A, Omarov T, Palomba G, Paul N, Pathak A, Pavone G, Pavlov R, Pinillla R, Rasheed O, Remini A, Ryabov A, Samadov E, Samarasam I, Sandag E, Santos J, Sanchez E, Saroglu A, Schizas D, Serralheiro PA, Simsek O, Sobolev D, Souadka A, de Sousa JV, Sousa F, Suer M, Surendran S, Syllaios A, Syed AA, Terajima D, Tokocin M, Triantafyllou T, Uludağ S, Uprak T, Vaz S, Vecchiato M, Verras GI, Veroux M, Voon K, Vovin K, Yacob M, Walędziak M, Zacharenko A, Zahara FT, Singhal R, Mahawar K; HOLD Study Collaborative Group. Stomach cancer elective surgery morbidity and mortality at 90-Day (Hold Study): a prospective, international collaborative cohort study. Langenbecks Arch Surg. 2025 Nov 14;411(1):12. doi: 10.1007/s00423-025-03890-7. PMID: 41236666; PMCID: PMC12618408.

    80. Elkin J, Schilling C, Hii MW, Choong PF, Dowsey M, Shadbolt C. Diagnostic performance of a new framework for identifying obesity. J Intern Med. 2026 Jan;299(1):172-175. doi: 10.1111/joim.70049. Epub 2025 Nov 22. PMID: 41273217.

    81. Hii MW, Walmsley R, Chen Q, Chong L. In-hospital moderate intensity interval training following surgical resection of foregut malignancy - a prospective single arm feasibility study. Support Care Cancer. 2026 Feb 24;34(3):242. doi: 10.1007/s00520-026-10453-z. PMID: 41733773; PMCID: PMC12932401.

    82. Loftus MJ, Lokmic-Tomkins Z, Eades O, Asghari-Jafarabadi M, Walker-Bone K, Chee A, Davies J, Dunne B, Ellis X, Forrester M, Gemmell M, Hii MW, Hutchinson A, Kiang KM, McIntyre K, Roberts LJ, Russo PL, Sohail A, McGuinness SL, Leder K. Australian healthcare workers' perspectives, practices, and perceived barriers to a more environmentally sustainable health system: a cross-sectional survey. BMC Health Serv Res. 2026 Mar 31. doi: 10.1186/s12913-026-14464-8. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 41917914.

    83. NIHR Global Health Research Unit on Global Surgery and the GlobalSurg Collaborative. Safety and equity in scaling minimally invasive surgery worldwide in 109 countries using cholecystectomy as a tracer procedure: a prospective cohort study. Lancet Glob Health. 2026 Feb;14(2):e199-e212. doi: 10.1016/S2214-109X(25)00476-0. PMID: 41519150.

  • Consulting locations:

    • East Melbourne (main rooms), including Telehealth

    Operating locations:

    • St Vincent's Private Fitzroy

    • Epworth Freemasons East Melbourne

    • St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne ­ Public

Portrait of a Dr Salena Ward female bariatric and upper GI surgeon, with long dark hair and glasses, looking attractive, smiling at the camera, wearing a black shirt and a necklace with a treble clef pendant.

Dr Salena Ward

MBBS, FRACS, MS, PGDipSurgAnatAdjunct Lecturer, Monash University, Oesophago-Gastric, Bariatric and General Surgeon

  • Dr Salena Ward is a General Surgeon who specialises in surgery of the oesophagus and stomach, including weight loss surgery.

    Dr Ward finished Medical School at The University of Melbourne in 2000. Her junior work and surgical training have been at Royal Melbourne Hospital and The Alfred Hospital, then qualified as a surgeon in 2009. She has specialist oesophageal and gastric surgical training at Box Hill Hospital. In the United Kingdom at Oxford University Hospital, and returned to Australia in 2012 to start consultant work in public and private practice.

    She prides herself on excellence in surgical procedures and clinical and patient care. She is committed to education and training, is involved in the Eastern Health Clinical School and Research Group and the St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne Surgical Research Group, and is training medical students and junior doctors in her public and private hospitals. She completed a Master's in Surgery in 2013 through Monash University and is now a supervisor of current students for their Masters in Surgery.

    She is also active in the surgical community and at the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. She is a Member of the Victoria Regional Committee and assists with the Victorian Annual Surgeon’s Meeting in organisation and supporting research submissions. She is an active member of the relevant Australian obesity and oesophagogastric specialist surgical societies.

    Salena believes in thorough patient consultation, aims to provide timely, comfortable and efficient service to patients in operative and non-operative care, and keeps her patients and their doctors fully informed at all stages of care.

  • • Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, The University of Melbourne, 2000

    • Postgraduate Diploma of Surgical Anatomy, Melbourne University Private, 2003

    • Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), General Surgery, 2009

    • Specialist Fellowship in Upper Gastrointestinal Surgery, Box Hill Hospital, Melbourne, 2009-2011

    • Specialist Fellowship in Oesophago-Gastric Surgery, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, United Kingdom, 2011-2012

  • Click here to see a list of publications, presentations and current research interests.

  • Consulting locations:

    • East Melbourne (main rooms), including Teleheath

    • Box Hill North

    Operating locations:

    • St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne – Public

    • St Vincent's Private Fitzroy

    • Box Hill Hospital ­ Public

    • Epworth Eastern Box Hill

    • Northpark Private Bundoora

Dr Nicole Winter, female bariatric and upper GI surgeon, a woman with short black hair smiling, wearing a light-colored blouse with short sleeve detailing, against a plain, neutral background.

Dr Nicole Winter

FRACS, MBBS (Hons), BMedSci, AANZGOSA, Oesophago-Gastric and Bariatric Surgeon, GChPOM, Clinical Honorary Lecturer University of Melbourne

  • Hi, I’m Dr. Nicole Winter. I am an Oesophago-Gastric and Bariatric Surgeon. I work at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, St Vincent's Hospital Melbourne and Epworth Healthcare. I am also a Clinical Lecturer at Melbourne University, a board member of the Australian & Aotearoa New Zealand Gastro-Oesophageal Surgery Association (AANZGOSA) and the Pre-SET surgical supervisor at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne.

    I graduated my medical degree with Honours through the University of Melbourne in 2007. I was awarded my RACS surgical fellowship in 2016. I then completed subspecialty training in upper gastrointestinal surgery through AANZGOSA and further bariatric fellowship in Brisbane.

    As a specialist surgeon, my passion is and always has been a patient-centred approach to treating conditions affecting the oesophagus and stomach. This includes oesophageal and gastric cancer, hiatus hernia repair, anti-reflux surgery, and bariatric (weight loss) surgery.

    In my private practice, I lead a team of dedicated and trained professionals passionate about helping and supporting people through their weight loss journey. I offer surgical and non-surgical approaches to the management of obesity. I strongly believe in getting to know each of my patients and tailoring treatment for the best long term result.

    I also pride myself on being a modern surgeon, balancing my love for surgery and my love for my family. As a mum and a surgeon, I am truly in a privileged position doing what I am most passionate about.

  • Bariatric Surgery Fellow, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Brisbane 2020

    Oesophago-gastric surgery fellow, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane 2019

    Oesophago-gastric surgery fellow, Box Hill Hospital Eastern Health, Melbourne 2018

    Trauma and Emergency General Surgery fellow, Royal Melbourne Hospital, Melbourne 2017

    Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), General Surgery, 2016

    Bachelor of Medical and Bachelor of Surgery, Melbourne University, 2007

    Bachelor of Medical Science, Melbourne University, 2007

  • Coming soon…

  • Consulting locations:

    • East Melbourne (main rooms), including Teleheath

    Operating locations:

    • St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne – Public

    • Royal Melbourne Hospital, Parkville

    • Epworth Freemasons, East Melbourne

    • Masada Private Hospital, St Kilda East

Our nurses have extensive experience caring for upper-gastrointestinal surgery patients during the pre and post-op period. Alongside your surgeon, they may be involved as part of your care team and liase with medical and allied health teams to ensure a high level of care.

Nurses

Nurse Jessie Leahy, a woman wearing a blue sleeveless top, smiling, with shoulder-length light brown hair.

Jessie Leahy

Registered Nurse (BN)

  • Jessie has a wealth of knowledge from specialising in post-surgery care for patients who have had upper gastrointestinal surgery in public and private hospitals, including ICU. Jessie has a pivotal role in leading our team's development and growth.

    Jessie loves to travel; her favourite destinations are Iceland, Morocco, The Galapagos Islands and Cambodia. These days she is more likely to be found in a playground chasing after her two little boys!

Nurse Isabella Matthews, close-up, smiling woman with long, wavy blonde hair, wearing a white sleeveless top, jewelry, and makeup, against a plain light background.

Isabella Matthews

Registered Nurse (BN)

  • Isabella is a Registered Nurse with years of experience at St Vincent’s Public Hospital, working across both medical and surgical specialties. She is dedicated to delivering high-quality patient care and supporting individuals in achieving improved health outcomes and quality of life.

    Outside of her hospital role, Isabella also practices cosmetic nursing.

    She maintains an active lifestyle through Pilates and walking, and enjoys travelling and spending time by the beach.

Bariatric Consultants

Our physicians provide tailored advice for high-risk patients and can advise on medical concerns such as diabetes, heart conditions & managing medications.

Dr Amy Osborne, A woman with shoulder-length light brown hair wearing a dark green blazer and black top, smiling against a plain light background.

Dr Amy Obsorne

Consultant Physician

  • Dr Amy Osborne is a Consultant Physician with training in the areas of general internal medicine, perioperative medicine and cardiology.

    Amy holds public appointments at St. Vincent’s Hospital and The Alfred - working in General Internal Medicine and the Perioperative Medicine Unit, as well as being involved in the long-term follow-up of Heart Transplant recipients. Amy is actively involved in teaching and is an examiner for the Royal Australian College of Physicians.

    Most of Amy’s work is in perioperative medicine. This includes pre-operative risk assessment, optimisation of medical co-morbidities as well as investigation and management of any undiagnosed symptoms. Amy will liase with other medical specialists involved in the long-term care of her perioperative patients. Amy will help plan peri- operative care for high risk patients in conjunction with the surgeon, anaesthetist and other specialists as appropriate. If required, Amy can continue to follow up patients after their surgery if there are ongoing medical issues.

  • • General Internal Medicine

    • Perioperative Medicine (Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgery)

    • Cardiology

  • Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), 2008

    Bachelor of Medicine Monash University

    Bachelor of Medical Science (Honours), Monash University, 2000

  • Consulting locations:

    • East Melbourne (main rooms), including Teleheath

Dr Anna Galligan. A female endocrinologist with long dark hair, wearing a white blazer over a cream sweater, smiling at camera, standing against a plain light gray background.

Dr Anna Galligan

Consultant Physician

  • Dr Anna Galligan is an Endocrinologist and General Physician. She underwent dual specialist training through St Vincent’s Hospital, the Royal Hobart Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Anna consults in all areas of endocrinology and perioperative medicine. Her interests include diabetes, weight management and bone health.

    Anna holds public appointments in Endocrinology and General Medicine at St Vincent’s Hospital Melbourne. She is the lead endocrinologist for the St Vincent’s Hospital High Risk Foot Service. Her research thesis, undertaken through the University of Melbourne and St Vincent’s Institute, studied the effects of cancer immunotherapy on the endocrine system.

    Anna is a member of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians, Australian Diabetes Society, Endocrine Society of Australia and the Endocrine Society (USA).

  • • Perioperative Medicine (Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgery)

    • Endocrinology

  • Master of Medicine, Melbourne University 2021

    Periop Short Course 2021

    Fellow, Australiasian College of Physicians 2017

    Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, Monash University 2010

  • Consulting locations:

    • East Melbourne (main rooms), including Teleheath

A woman with black hair, wearing a black and white striped shirt, a pearl necklace, and a gold pendant necklace, standing against a plain light-colored background.

Dr Geetha Theverkalam

Consultant Physician

  • Dr Geetha Theverkalam has undertaken Physician training at the Monash Medical Centre and Endocrinology training at Eastern Health, Austin and St Vincent’s Hospital. She is currently a Consultant Endocrinologist at St Vincent’s Hospital and Eastern Health.

    Dr Geetha is also working towards completing her PhD on Diabetes-related complications at the University of Melbourne. She is involved in teaching medical students and endocrinology trainees at St Vincent’s Hospital and is a lecturer at the University of Melbourne.

  • • Perioperative Medicine (Gastrointestinal & Bariatric Surgery)

    • Endocrinology

  • Lecturer (Endocrinology), University of Melbourne

    PhD Candidate, University of Melbourne

    Bachelor of Medicine/Bachelor of Surgery, University of Calicut

  • Consulting locations:

    • East Melbourne (main rooms), including Teleheath

A woman with long wavy blonde hair, blue eyes, and fair skin, smiling, wearing a black blazer, black top, pearl earrings, and a gold necklace with a pendant, sitting against a plain light gray background.

Dr Katrina Heggie

Bariatric GP

  • Dr Katrina Heggie is a General Practitioner with a special interest in Bariatrics. She undertook her medical training at Notre Dame University in Western Australia, followed by her intern and resident years at the Alfred hospital. Following this she commenced accredited training in general surgery at St Vincent’s hospital for several years, before her decision to train more broadly in general practice.

    She completed her training in Melbourne, Albury and Wollongong. Katrina’s other GP interests include women’s health, paediatrics, skin conditions and minor surgical procedures.

    In addition to this role, Katrina works as a surgical assistant. She feels privileged to be able to follow the patient along their weight-loss journey from before and during surgery to the post-operative phase and beyond.


    Katrina will be happy to discuss all areas of weight loss, in particular from lifestyle including diet and exercise, medications and surgical options.

  • • Pre and Post Surgery Medicine (Bariatric Surgery)

  • RACGP, MBBS (Hons), BBiomedSci, PGDipSurgAnat

    • Completed medical training at Notre Dame University, Western Australia

    • Undertook intern and resident years at The Alfred Hospital, Melbourne

    • Commenced accredited General Surgery training at St Vincent’s Hospital, Melbourne

    • Later chose to broaden her scope by training in General Practice

    • Completed General Practice training across Melbourne, Albury and Wollongong

  • • East Melbourne (main rooms), including Telehealth

Allied Health

Accredited Dietitians

Our accredited practising dietitians support you in optimising your nutrition and helping you adjust to any required changes to your diet before and after surgery. They place high importance on educating their patients and strive to cater for each person’s unique tastes and needs.

Our dietitian's approach is judgement-free, tailored and focuses on encouraging a positive relationship between food and the body.

Jennifer Tsoutsoulis, dietian. A woman with long brown hair wearing a black top, a necklace with a cross pendant, and smiling against a plain light gray background.

Jennifer Tsoutsoulis

Accredited Practising Dietitian (BHumNut MDiet)

  • Jennifer is passionate about working with her clients to improve their nutritional knowledge and skills, providing a variety of tailored strategies to assist them in making sustainable lifestyle changes. 

    Jennifer enjoys spending her free time with family and friends. She enjoys going out for coffee.

  • • Bariatric Surgery

    • General & Medical Weight Loss

    • Oncology

    • Pregnancy post-bariatric surgery

Megan Hickey, dietiatian. A young woman with long blonde hair, smiling, wearing a black top with a bow tie detail, standing against a plain gray background.

Megan Hickey

Accredited Practising Dietitian (BNutDiet MDiet)

  • Megan believes nutrition advice needs to be realistic and tailored to individuals. Megan wants to help you continue to achieve your lifelong best health. 

    In her spare time, you’ll find her down at the beach with a coffee for a morning walk or out with friends enjoying a delicious meal.  

  • • Bariatric Surgery

    • General & Medical Weight Loss

    • Oncology

Psychology & Counselling

Our psychology & Counselling team is here to support you in navigating lifestyle change, stress & other concerns.

Portrait of a woman with short dark hair, wearing a white shirt with a collar, smiling slightly, against a plain light background.

Dr Melanie Strang

Registered Psychologist (BSc MBBS, GDipPsych, GDipPsych(Adv))

  • Dr Melanie Strang uses a combination of therapy modalities including:

    • Internal family systems

    • Eye movement desensitisation and reprocessing (EMDR)

    • Emotion-focused therapy

    • Compassion-focused therapy

    • Supportive and person-centred psychotherapy

    • Cognitive behavioural therapy and

    • Acceptance and commitment therapy

    • Neuro-divergent affirmative practice

    • Trauma informed practice

    She sees adults with a range of concerns including but not limited to: depression, anxiety, stress, OCD, low self esteem, grief, parenting, perinatal depression and anxiety, relationship concerns, transition issues, autism spectrum, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), complex PTSD, developmental and attachment trauma.

Support Team

Personal Assistants & Admin

Our receptionists are there to be your first point of call at the clinic, helping with your appointments and enquiries. Our personal assistants will assist you with your operation journey to ensure everything runs smoothly.

Katie

PA to Dr Michael Hii

.

Lauren

PA to Dr Salena Ward

Irena

PA to Dr Nicole Winter

Joseph Gallagher

Administrator & PA to Physicians

Patricia

Receptionist

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