Ministry Of Surgery

In this episode I am joined by Dr Noah Betar and Dr Lachlan Stephens, who share their honest insights into the demanding journey toward securing a place in plastic surgery training.
They reflect on their individual pathways, the challenges of the interview process, and the strategies that helped them perform at their best.
The discussion highlights the importance of accountability, mindset, and coaching, offering practical lessons for anyone preparing for surgical training interviews or navigating competitive medical pathways.
Tune in to the Ministry of Surgery Podcast for an honest and inspiring look behind the interview process in plastic surgery.

In this episode of Surgical Sessions from the Ministry of Surgery, we dive into the essential surgical anatomy of the thigh, groin, and popliteal fossa. We explore the osteology and anatomy, vascular and neural anatomy, and fascial compartments, with a focus on structures that every plastic surgeon must know. Clinical correlations are highlighted throughout — from approaches to groin dissection, sartorial flap to popliteal dissection, relevant to common exam scenarios.
The session is tailored for surgical trainees, with an emphasis on preparing for the FRCAS FRCS (Plast) and Board examinations. Complex topics are broken down into an engaging and understandable format, making it easier to consolidate key knowledge and recall high-yield facts when it matters most.
Whether you’re revising anatomy for the first time in years, or sharpening your exam preparation, this episode provides a structured yet practical review to strengthen your surgical foundation.

A new series of episodes focusing on exam relevant topics.
Outlining each topic with pertinent anatomy, clinical cases and operative techniques.
I hope you find this episode useful for scalp reconstruction.
Thank you for listening
MGR.

Our theme in this episode is interview tips.
If you are considering a career in Plastic Surgery or any specialty really - this is a key step to getting onto the programme.
My guest is Dr Oliver Hovav. Oliver has been a plastic surgery PHO in Queensland for the last few years.
In the recent interviews he was the only successful candidate to be appointed to the plastic surgery registrar training programme in Queensland.
As you can imagine, this is a highly competitive process and there were many great candidates. Oliver kindly shares his experience through the interview process, from application, references and tips on how he prepared on the day.
A fascinating insight is that Oliver started off as nursing student and worked as a theatre scrub nurse. He talks to us about that experience and what made him change to pursue medicine and ultimately plastic surgery.
In between interview tips we also explore his favourite travels, greatest mentors in plastic surgery and of course his favourite songs!
Thank you for listening.
Dr Milap Rughani

In this episode I honoured to be joined by Dr Michael Wagels.

Michael Wagels is a Senior Staff Specialist in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon, Deputy Director and Director of Training at the Princess Alexandra Hospital, Brisbane, QLD with a conjoined academic appointment as Senior Lecturer at the University of Queensland.

He completed a BMedSci undergraduate research degree in 1999 and was awarded a PhD in 2013. His theses evaluated amputation in severe lower limb trauma and the behaviour of auto-transplanted muscle for traumatic lower limb injuries.

Michael has a special interest in the translational aspects of tissue engineering for complex reconstructive defects and has successfully used 3D printed bone implants to rebuild a patient’s tibia, skull and many more.

Since developing this breakthrough, Dr Wagels has led the establishment of the Australian Centre for Complex Integrated Surgical Solutions. This centre brings together a diverse range of expertise spanning surgery, anaesthesia, engineering, translational trials, industry and manufacturing. He is the Clinical Director of the Herston Biofabrication Institute, a multi-million-dollar collaboration with seven clinical research programs and advanced manufacturing capabilities.

He has been kind enough to share his insights into research, tips for budding researches and his views on the future of plastic surgery research and innovation.

I hope you enjoy this episode.