Sydney Shoulder Research Institute - Past Fellows
2012 Fellow
Stephen Gwilym
ENGLAND
2012
BIO
I graduated from University College, London in 2000 having previously obtained a First Class degree in Human Sciences, with a focus on the neurophysiology of pain. After basic surgical training in London and Oxford I entered specialist Orthopaedic training in Oxford in 2004. During this period of specialist training I further developed my research interest in musculoskeletal pain, and took a sabbatical from training between 2007 and 2010 to work jointly with Professor Andy Carr and Professor Irene Tracey. This period of research resulted in the award of a DPhil (PhD) from the University of Oxford in 2010 with a thesis titled “Investigating the phenotype and mechanisms of chronic pain in musculoskeletal disease”.
In 2011 I was appointed as Clinical Lecturer in Orthopaedics at the University of Oxford. During 2012 I completed two sub-specialist fellowships in Sydney; Shoulder & Elbow Surgery with the Sydney Shoulder Specialist Group and Trauma Surgery at the Royal North Shore Hospital.
I returned to Oxford as a clinical lecturer at the beginning of 2013 and was appointed as a consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon in Oxford in 2014. My specialist interest is post-traumatic upper limb reconstruction. I have also taken up an academic role in the Nuffield Department of Orthopaedics, Rheumatology & Musculoskeletal Science (NDORMS) at the University of Oxford.
My current research in NDORMS aim to integrate my areas of scientific and clinical expertise; investigating pain following trauma and the conduct of intervention trials for painful upper limb conditions.
I am still in regular contact with the surgeons at the Sydney Shoulder Group – discussing both academic projects and clinical cases.
Fellowship Story
My fellowship involved time working with Professor Sonnabend, Dr’s Young, Cass and Hughes in both the private and public sectors. This combined the opportunities that come from large caseloads, with the ability to gain personal surgical experience.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the role was the monthly trip to ‘Dubbo’, a regional public hospital. As a non-aussie, the novelty of flying in, operating, and spending a couple of days in a rural town didn’t wear off!
Since my return, I have continued to use the SSRI team as a source of advice – which was invaluable during my early Consultant years.
Sydney itself is a great place to live for a year, and works well with families. It is however fiercely expensive if the exchange rate is not in your favour. We made good friends during our time, and have been back to Sydney since our return to England.
Stephen Gwilym