Meet Dr Lily Vrtik
Dr Lily Vrtik graduated from the Faculty of Medicine, University of Western Australia in 1999. During her early years of surgical training, she worked at Royal Perth Hospital, Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital as well as Princess Margaret Hospital for Children. She completed her last two years of Plastic Surgery training in Queensland, at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Mater Hospitals and Royal Brisbane and Women Hospital.
Prior to her formal plastic surgery training, she spent 12 months working at the world-renowned Chang-Gung Memorial Hospital in Taiwan in their famous plastic and reconstructive unit. It was during these 12 months, that she became inspired to become a specialist plastic surgeon. She was immersed in acute and reconstructive burn surgery, craniofacial, hand and lower limb trauma plastic surgery, as well as cancer reconstructive surgery.
During her training years, she was involved in various research projects, including the effect of smoking on microcirculation, outcomes of breast reconstruction, techniques on blepharoplasty (eyelid surgery), and reconstructive surgery in chronic burn scars as well as the use of skin cell cultures in burn injuries. In more recent years, she has developed academic pursuits in areas of Bioethics and Health Law, and has a master's degree in health law from the prestigious Sydney Law School at the University of Sydney.
Lily contributes to advocacy for patient safety in plastic surgery through her role as a Director on the Board of Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgeons, as well as her position as a risk-assessor and clinical advisor in the field of medical indemnity. Her goal is to help her health professional colleagues to be safer, better practitioners and through advocacy, improve clinical safety for all who require healthcare.
Having spent most of her university life working as a music teacher, Lily continues her enthusiasm for teaching. She is regularly involved in educational session for other doctors of all specialties, as the founder for Classroom4Doctors. She also holds public consultant position at Princess Alexandra Hospital where she participates in the teaching of trainees in surgery, junior doctors, and medical students. Lily has also been an active instructor and faculty member in nation-wide EMSB (Early Management in Severe Burns) courses for the over15 years. Lily is also a member of the specialist reserve in the Royal Australian Air Force providing regular clinical services as well as medical training for defence personnel.
Lily enjoys her work immensely and has special interests in both cosmetic and reconstructive breast surgery, microsurgical reconstruction, as well as lower limb trauma surgery. She pays detailed attention to her results and enjoys making a positive difference in people's lives. Apart from being passionate about her work, Lily is well known for her sensitive, warm personality and approachability. In her consultations, she is frank in her discussions and gives honest opinions. Her caring nature enables her to create a balance between the clinical and personal aspects of patient care.
Lily may have little time for hobbies, but she has immense interest in various charities. As a student, Lily was a volunteer with Mission Australia; then as a young doctor, she worked as a volunteer doctor for various sporting and racing events. In the early 2000's, she travelled with the Nordhoff Foundation Team to Cambodia, as part of the cleft lip & palate surgery team working to help local children. Lily and her husband have been UNICEF global parents for more than 15 years, and have sponsored more than 8 children over the last 20 years. She is currently on the executive committee for Queensland Medical Orchestra, a orchestra and choir of health professionals that perform to raise funds for local charities. She is an avid supporter and sponsor of various local artistic organisations, and volunteers her time to help out local charities with administrative work. One could say her favourite and most enjoyable pursuit is to find ways to make a difference.
Professional Affiliation
RACS Royal Australasian College of Surgeons www.surgeons.org.au
ASPS Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons www.plasticsurgery.org.au
ASAPS Australian Society of Aesthetic Plastic Surgery www.asaps.org.au
ANZBA Australian New Zealand Burns Association www.anzba.org.au
AMA Australian Medical Association www.ama.com.au
