A Regional Dream Realised: Dr Susie Lee’s Cairns Orthopaedics journey

A career-defining moment at the end of her first degree — and a determination to train in Far North Queensland — has set Dr Susie Lee on a pathway to a thriving career in orthopaedics at Cairns Hospital. Brisbane born and bred, Dr Lee initially completed a physiotherapy degree and was pursuing that career when an opportunity in her final year changed everything.

“I had the opportunity to observe my first operation, a dynamic hip screw for a patient who sustained a neck of femur fracture.

“This sparked my interest in medicine and ultimately orthopaedics. As a physiotherapist, I always worked with patients who were in the pre-operative or post-operative rehabilitation stages.

“After observing this surgery, I wanted to be the one doing the operations and seeing the outcomes firsthand.”

Diving headfirst into medicine

Susie enrolled to study medicine at Griffith University across the Gold and Sunshine Coast campuses, with a clear goal in mind — to complete her internship in a regional centre, ideally Cairns.

“I did an elective orthopaedic placement in Cairns and loved the hospital and surrounds so applied to Cairns for internship as my first preference. However, I unfortunately missed out,” Susie says.

She chose to complete her internship at Toowoomba’s regional hospital instead.

“This was a great experience, and I loved it so much I ended up staying for three years to do my orthopaedic senior house officer and first year of principal house officer years there too.”

Her passion for orthopaedics remained steadfast during these years.

“The bread and butter of orthopaedics, fixing fractures, joint replacements, and tendon repairs which help improve patients' pain and functional outcome has motivated me to continue pursuing orthopaedics.” 

But the Cairns hospital remained firmly in her sights.

“Cairns has a great orthopaedic department led by our director, Associated Professor Christopher Morrey, who has created a supportive and collegiate environment with female senior consultant and registrars,” she says.

The department’s strong female representation was a significant drawcard.

“Cairns has had a strong track record of female orthopaedic registrars and principal house officers who have been supported to pursue training.

“There are three female consultants in the department (Dr Shkolnikova, Dr Lees and Dr Kira James) who have provided a great example and act as amazing role models.”

Beyond the ward, research for the future

Today, Dr Lee is not only advancing her surgical training in Cairns but is also contributing to the future of orthopaedics through her research projects.

“Research is an essential skill as surgeons who are lifelong learners to provide the most current and best evidence-based medicine to our patients and the community,” Susie says.

“Dr Wall, the director of orthopaedics at Toowoomba Hospital has been a great mentor. He encouraged me to be involved in research by undertaking a part-time orthopaedic principal house officer and part-time research fellowship position in 2024 with the University of Southern Queensland and Darling Downs Health.

“This role involved working with orthopaedic surgeons … in collaboration with engineers and scientists at the Centre for Future Materials pioneering sustainable 3D printing techniques for the management of scaphoid non-union.”

Dr Lee and her colleagues explored patient-specific devices in the operative management of scaphoid non-union – when a fracture of the scaphoid bone in the wrist fails to heal – examining the impact of hand dominance and biological sex on scaphoid symmetry through advanced imaging analysis.

Her research momentum continues.

“I've been successful in receiving a grant from the Queensland Orthopaedic Research Fund to conduct further research.

“In Cairns, I've had the opportunity to work with Dr Arvind Puri and Dr Michel Genon on a new project through this grant.

“The Recycling in Orthopaedic Theatres ‘RIOT’ study is taking place in both Cairns and Toowoomba. The Australian health care sector contributes to 7% of the nation's carbon footprint, double that of the aviation sector.

“Operating theatres generate more than a third of the total hospital waste, with orthopaedic operations producing 60 per cent more waste than any other surgical specialty.

“We aim to identify which cases generate the most amount of waste and help target the areas of greatest recycling potential to improve environmental sustainability and the global carbon footprint.”

The regional career fast-track

Training in regional hospitals has, she says, accelerated both her clinical growth and personal development.

“I've only ever worked as a doctor in a regional setting both Toowoomba and Cairns hospitals and this has had a positive impact both professionally and personally - I have made lifelong friendships and learned key clinical decision-making skills with more one on one supervision.

“The only difference I've noticed compared to my counterparts who have done the majority of their training in metropolitan hospitals is that when they go to conferences, they know more people in the industry/specialty and have a wider networking opportunity. I hope to see these same opportunities are brought to Far North Queensland.

“Associated Professor Dr Morrey has made great efforts with the Australian Orthopaedic Association to bring more events and examinations to Far North Queensland.”

Cairns, in particular, offers something truly distinctive according to Susie.

“I would recommend Cairns Hospital to other junior doctors as the opportunities are endless both professionally and personally. I would love to complete my training and return to Cairns Hospital as an orthopaedic consultant to work here to support and give back to the community who has allowed me to learn so much,” she says.

“The unique aspect of working in Cairns is working with patients from a culturally and linguistically diverse background anywhere from Torres Strait Island, Papa New Guinea and large Aboriginal communities with First Nations patients.

“We see diseases and pathology specific to tropical Far North Queensland that you don't see anyone else - from crocodile bites to melioidosis and everything in between!”

Life outside the hospital is equally rewarding.

“As a foodie, I love exploring all the brunch and dinner options with friends around Cairns and beyond! We also have an orthopaedic running clubs called clicky knees where we run on the Esplanade on Tuesday and Thursday mornings with orthopaedic consultants, registrars, and junior doctors.”

For Dr Susie Lee, training in Cairns has provided not only outstanding surgical exposure and research opportunities, but connection — to colleagues, to community, and to a region committed to growing its own medical workforce.