About
Dr Nita Bartlett
FRCS, FRACS, Grad. OPBS
Hello, I’m Dr Nita Bartlett.
I’m an Oncoplastic Breast and General Surgeon at the Mater Private Hospital Townsville.
Before settling in North Queensland in 2019, I spent over 25 years working in hospitals across the United Kingdom, New Zealand and Australia, as well as being a devoted wife and mother to my two beautiful children.
In addition to surgical practice, I am the Lead Senior Lecturer for Surgery in the College of Medicine and Dentistry at James Cook University and a Co-Supervisor for the University of Sydney Oncoplastic Breast Surgery Masters program.
Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
As the first Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon appointed in North Queensland, I have looked after more than 300 breast cancer patients since 2019.
I believe that people in our region should have access to world-class surgical options without having to travel far from their families and caregivers. I work hard to ensure that all of my patients are cared for with the utmost compassion, empathy, and respect, and maintaining a personal connection with every one of my patients is important to me.
In providing holistic care for my patients, I work with a multidisciplinary team which includes a breast physiotherapist and psychologist. I use current techniques in breast surgery to not only remove the cancer but also restore the natural form of the breast. The latter is exceedingly important for a woman's body image, psychosocial and sexual health following cancer treatment. I believe in empowering women by providing them with all the available options for their surgery and supporting their informed choices.
Read more about Oncoplastic Breast Surgery
Caring for you like family
I care for my patients like they are family. I know first-hand how stressful a situation is when you or a loved one is facing ill-health, and I will always go the extra mile to keep you and those around you informed and as comfortable as possible.
As well as being a surgeon, I am also a teacher, guiding the next generation of medical students and surgical trainees to apply excellence, dedication and compassion in their development as doctors and surgeons.
Outside of work, I value family time, connecting with the community, performing Indian classical dancing and watching cricket!
“I care for my patients like they are family. I know first-hand how stressful a situation is when you or a loved one is facing ill-health, and I will always go the extra mile to keep you and those around you informed and as comfortable as possible.”
Professional Experience
2019 to present:
Specialist Breast and General Surgeon, Townsville, North Queensland — Townsville University Hospital and Mater Private Hospital, Townsville
Since 2019, I have performed 800+ general surgical operations, both emergency and non-emergency.
This included Hernia repairs, gallbladder surgery, appendicectomy, and bowel obstruction surgery as well as 300+ Breast Cancer operations using oncoplastic techniques, with close to 100 Breast reconstructions successfully completed.
2016-2018:
Post Fellowship Subspecialist Breast Surgery Trainee — BreastSurgANZ
Advanced training in oncoplastic breast surgery in major hospitals in Australia, including Chris O'Brien Lifehouse/RPA Hospital Sydney. Over this period, I performed over 300 major breast surgical procedures, including breast reconstruction.
2014-2015:
Consultant General Surgeon, New Zealand
I performed over 800 general surgical operations, both emergency and non-emergency. This included hernia repairs, gallbladder, bowel, breast, skin cancer surgery and skin grafts.
Teaching
I am passionate about teaching both the art and the science of clinical and operative surgery.
My dedication to teaching was formally recognised with an Excellence in Teaching award from the University of Sydney in 2006.
I am actively engaged in teaching both Nursing and Junior Medical staff at every opportunity that presents itself. My greatest reward lies in watching my students grow and succeed in their professional endeavors, delivering both clinical excellence and compassionate care to patients.
Research
Over the past two decades, I have actively engaged in laboratory and clinical research, which has resulted in multiple publications.
Since 2019, results of my oncoplastic breast surgical results from North Queensland have been presented at international and national conferences.