David Chong
“I love being able to see something I can do something about. To alleviate the pain of facial deformity, to understand the scars I don’t see, are the ones that are hardest to heal. To bring to another human life a gift of positive change, and watch them blossom with it; to bring them a smile, and have others smile back at them.”
David’s career began with training in Ear, Nose and Throat Surgery, in WA. But after taking a year off and meeting a plastic surgeon, he was inspired to change over to plastic surgery. Two years of private practice followed, then he spent three years gaining more fellowship experience with world leaders in Dallas and Toronto, in the area of Cleft Lip and Palate plus Craniofacial Surgery. He worked at the International Craniofacial Institute and then the Hospital for Sick Children.
Dedicated to pursuing the best ways to treat children, David then spent six months travelling through other units around the world to help him decide on the best way to treat children with facial and skull issues.
He was then recruited to a half time position at The Royal Children’s Hospital. His areas of specialisation in craniofacial surgery are cleft lip and palate surgery and cranial vault surgery. He also performs all areas of surgery including adult surgery with particular interest in the facial area.
David’s passion is in correcting facial and skull deformities in children and three to four times a year he volunteers to operate and teach in developing countries. His recent trips have been to Laos, India and Jordan. He has also been a recipient of a fellowship from the American Society of Maxillofacial Surgeons granted to promising young surgeons that has allowed him to travel.
“Why do we assume so much from the way someone looks? And the ability to restore harmony to the face with its resultant effect on the way that life is lived seemed an amazing gift to be able to give.”