Dr. Sameer Ruparel

I completed my Orthopaedic and Spine Surgery training from Mumbai, India, after which I had the opportunity of working with John for a period of 6 months in 2018. I had a wonderful learning experience operating day in and out, seeing patients in clinics and wards. It was pleasure seeing him operate even the most complex cases with relative ease and precision. I remember having detailed discussions regarding operative plan and minute technical details before every surgery sitting on the console while studying the pre-operative images. Even during surgery, he would teach how to manage difficult steps and situations and would never hesitate to answer even the silliest doubts and questions that I would have being a trainee. In fact, many times he would ask me questions indirectly hinting at the queries that should have cropped in my mind while learning and observing. I learnt new techniques which were not routinely practised in India back then particularly the OLIF, Navigation and Robotic Surgeries. He would never get comfortable with one technique and constantly strive to improve his skills for better clinical outcomes. This quality I believe is extremely rare to find in surgeons, I wish I can imbibe from him. Not only academics, but learning in general was fun with meetings, conferences, outings and dinners. He made me comfortable in each way to make sure I adapt to the Australian culture. Looking back I feel time just flew and if I get a chance I would go back and learn many more new things from John. I believe fellowship leaves a long lasting imprint in a surgeon’s life both professionally and personally and I am glad and proud to have John as my mentor.