Meet Associate Professor Dean White
Associate Professor Dean White
Associate Professor Dean White’s Credentials
Associate Professor Dean White qualified from the University of Melbourne Medical School in 1996 achieving high academic success including being a finalist for the Jamieson Prize in Clinical Medicine and winning the overall prize for Clinical Gynaecology.
Initial basic surgical training was based at St Vincent’s hospital in Melbourne for three years at which time he also obtained a Graduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics from the University of Melbourne. A/Prof White then undertook training as an accredited advanced general surgical trainee for two years before being accepted in the advanced training programme for plastic and reconstructive surgery. This involved a further four years intensive training gaining extensive experience in all aspects of plastic surgery including complex skin cancers, microsurgery, reconstructions after cancer and trauma as well as cosmetic surgery. Placements included St Vincent’s, the Royal Melbourne and Royal Children’s Hospitals, the Victorian Plastic Surgery Unit and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Institute.
A/Prof White successfully then passed the rigorous examinations to become a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons as a Specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon.
This entitles A/Prof White to have the letters FRACS after his name.
In 2006 A/Prof White commenced work as a consultant plastic surgeon at the Royal Melbourne Hospital managing complex head and neck cancer reconstructions and complex trauma cases as part of the state trauma centre. He also undertook general plastic surgery at Box Hill, Dandenong, Geelong and Maroondah Hospitals. This involved hand surgery, breast surgery and skin cancer. He was also the supervisor of plastic surgical training at Box Hill Hospital. He worked at the Skin and Cancer Foundation in Carlton working in conjunction with Specialist Dermatologists performing complex reconstructions for skin cancer cases after MOHS surgery.
In 2008, to further develop his interest in aesthetic/cosmetic surgery, A/Prof White undertook additional training overseas in London’s Harley Street medical district working with several of the country’s top surgeons. He was appointed to the prestigious Mentor Aesthetic Fellowship to work with Mr Barry Jones – an internationally recognised leader in facial aesthetic surgery. He was also able to complete the renowned Cosmetic Surgery Courses in Dallas, Texas USA. This broad exposure allowed A/Prof White to compare and contrast the different techniques of the world leaders in aesthetic surgery and to develop his own skills and philosophies as best to apply to the Australian experience.
In late 2009 he returned to Australia to recommence work in the public sector at the Royal Melbourne and Box Hill Hospitals as well as to re-establish his private practice and ongoing work at the Skin and Cancer Foundation.
In April 2012, A/Prof White was appointed as the Clinical Director of the Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery Unit for the Eastern Health Network. This encompasses the public hospitals of Box Hill, Maroondah, Yarra Ranges and the Angliss.
In April 2015 he was appointed as the inaugural Director of the Head and Neck Clinical Institute (Plastic Surgery, ENT surgery, OMFS surgery, Dermatology and Ophthalmology) for the Epworth Healthcare group which he undertook up until 2021.
In 2021 he was appointed an Honorary Clinical Associate Professor through the University of Melbourne Medical School where he teaches medical students. This is in addition to his teaching and mentoring junior medical staff, nursing staff, nursing students and plastic surgery trainees both in private and public hospitals. He is also an Adjunct senior Lecturer with Monash University School of Medicine.
He has volunteered with Interplast – an Aid organisation providing plastic surgery services and teaching to developing countries (Travelling to Papua New Guinea and Bangladesh).
A/Prof White’s interests include complex skin cancer work, reconstructive surgery and cosmetic surgery – in particular facial aesthetic surgery, breast surgery and body contouring surgery.
Qualifications:
- MBBS – Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
This degree signifies training as a medical doctor. - Grad Dip Epid Biostat – Postgraduate Diploma in Epidemiology and Biostatistics.
This represents additional training in the area of medical research. - FRACS – Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.
This recognises the significant post graduate training and certification required to be a specialist surgeon. - Spec. Cert. Clinical Leadership – Training in clinical leadership in a health setting
- GAICD – Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
- EGCOB (Executive Graduate Certificate of Business – Monash Business School/Harvard Macy Institute) – Training in leadership encompassing design thinking and lean principles in healthcare. (Currently undertaking)
Memberships & Associations:
- The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
- The Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS)