About - Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Canberra

Dr Krishna Rao is a fully qualified Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon based in Canberra. Dr Rao has a strong focus in cancer surgery (Head and Neck, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers) and is a specialist reconstructive surgeon with particular expertise in all aspects of hand surgery, breast reconstruction, resection and reconstruction of advanced skin cancers and tumours of the head and neck. Dr Rao has dual qualifications in Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery, having completed advanced training and being admitted as a fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh and of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. Therefore he is fully qualified as a Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon in both the UK and Australia.

Dr Rao undertook his medical schooling in India and followed this with training in general surgery for three years. He then undertook advanced training in Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery in the UK where he worked in esteemed units in London, Sheffield, Leicester and Nottingham among others before undertaking additional training at Flinders Medical Centre in Adelaide. This was followed by higher level training as the Hand Surgery Fellow at the prestigious Pulvertaft Hand Unit in Derby in the UK. Dr Rao moved with his family to Australia and completed nearly 4 years of further fellowship at the Canberra Hospital before completing his Australasian consultancy exams to become a fully qualified Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon in Australasia.

Dr Rao is an excellent surgeon with vast international and local experience in his field. Despite this, Dr Rao remains very humble and is always seeking to do improve outcomes for his patients and for the specialty of Plastic Surgery. He is a motivated teacher- helping educate the next generation of surgeons at medical student, junior and senior doctor levels through his adjunct appointment at the Australian National University (ANU). He is also an avid surgical researcher with numerous peer reviewed publications and textbook chapters on various aspects of reconstructive Plastic Surgery and Hand Surgery. He has presented his clinical research at dozens of national and international meetings.

Dr Rao has appointments at The Canberra Hospital, Calvary Hospital and also at National Capital Private Hospital where he treats patients across a broad spectrum of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery care. He takes a personalised and compassionate approach to patient care and in his spare time is passionate about the preservation of Australian native flora and fauna.

1b0a0484

Dr Michael Findlay is a fully qualified Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon. He has won multiple awards nationally and internationally for his innovative surgical practice and research. Dr Findlay specializes in comprehensive cancer surgery (head & neck, breast cancer, melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers, sarcoma), hand surgery and trauma reconstruction.

He is a Fulbright Scholar and heads the Program for Cellular and Molecular Innovation in Surgery at the University of Melbourne where he helps develop cutting edge technologies to improve surgical care. Dr Findlay is the Director of Australasian Clinical Trials in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery for the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. He was a Visiting Assistant Professor at Stanford University and the Inaugural Stanford Applied Regenerative Medicine Fellow.

Dr Findlay is an expert in applied stem cell therapies and regenerative surgery. He was the first Australian appointed as a member of both the Association of Academic Surgeons and the esteemed Society of University Surgeons in the United States. He is also a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons. Dr Findlay received the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award in 2017 in recognition for his ongoing contribution to clinical care and surgical practice.

Dr Findlay practices at the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Canberra Hospital, Epworth Freemasons and the National Capital Private Hospital and has private rooms at Reconstructive Plastic Surgery Melbourne and Canberra. He is a supervisor of Plastic Surgical Training for the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons.

Dr Findlay is dedicated to the care of his patients and establishes common goals for their short and long-term care as part of any tailored management plan.

He loves spending time with his wife and teenage kids, plays the piano and guitar, and enjoys Crossfit and triathlons.

Specialist Plastic Surgeons

Why Choose Us

Our mission at Reconstructive Plastic Surgery is to provide our patients with exceptional and comprehensive care.
It is important to us that we:

listen to your needs
develop a shared understanding of your situation
inform you about your options
and partner with you
To provide ethical, effective, long-lasting and sustainable expert plastic surgical care.
No gimmicks, no day spa, no hard-sell, just great advice and expert care.

Highest Quality

Our multi award-winning Reconstructive Plastic Surgeons are highly trained. We are experts in the restoration of form and function to all parts of the body.

Our surgeons are reconstructive surgery specialists, focusing on breast reconstruction, melanoma and skin cancer removal and reconstruction, head and neck surgery, facial reconstruction, hand and lower limb surgery, restoration of function following burns and trauma.

We work collaboratively with expert surgeons from other specialties to ensure the best possible outcomes for our patients.

Holistic Approach

At RPS Australia, we offer a fully integrated, holistic service. We treat the complete spectrum of conditions from the simple to the complex.

Our referral partnerships allow us to tailor your care and refer you to additional centres of excellence, if required.

Fully Qualified Specialists

What do the letters after my surgeon’s name mean?

MBBS stands for Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, and is awarded to medical practitioners upon graduation from university.

The letters FRACS means Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. The distinction is only awarded to specialist surgeons who have completed a minimum of 12 years medical and surgical education, with at least five years of specialist postgraduate training. A specialist plastic surgeon with the letters FRACS appearing after his or her name is accredited to perform invasive cosmetic and reconstructive surgery.

The letters FACS (Fellow, American College of Surgeons) after a surgeon’s name mean that the surgeon’s education and training, professional qualifications, surgical competence, and ethical conduct have passed a rigorous evaluation, and have been found to be consistent with the high standards established and demanded by the College in the USA.

Professional Service

We specialise in Reconstructive Plastic Surgery. We communicate with your existing health care providers to ensure seamless care. Our team at RPS will take the time to listen to you and understand your needs.

We make sure you know your options. We encourage you to ask questions. We work hard to ensure you do not feel pressured or rushed during the decision-making process. We partner with you to develop a tailored management plan, based on agreed goals.

We deliver expert surgical care and we work directly with you through each of the phases of your recovery to achieve the best possible outcome.

We are dedicated to on-going surveillance and appropriate follow up. We collaborate with your GP and other specialists (e.g. Dermatologists, Breast Surgeons etc) to deliver optimal results. We prefer long-term solutions. One of the measures of our success is when you no longer need our expert care but we are always happy to see you again, should the need arise.

Reducing Carbon Footprint

Australia’s healthcare setting is currently responsible for 7% of Australia’s carbon emissions. At RPS Australia, we are working towards offsetting our carbon footprint with the aim of becoming carbon neutral; ensuring we can continue to provide high quality patient care without costing the earth.

Specialist reconstructive plastic surgeons

Our Team

Krishna Rao

MBBS, MB, MCh, FRCS, FRACS(Plast)

Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon.

Dr Rao has appointments at The Canberra Hospital, Calvary Hospital and also at National Capital Private Hospital where he treats patients across a broad spectrum of Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgery care. Dr Rao has a particular interest in endoscopic carpal tunnel releases and repairs, which greatly reduces recovery time. He takes a personalised and compassionate approach to patient care and in his spare time is passionate about the preservation of Australian native flora and fauna.

Michael Findlay

MBBS, PhD, FRACS, FACS.

Director- RPS Australia

Consultant Plastic, Reconstructive and Hand Surgeon
Supervisor of Plastic Surgery Training – The Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre.
The Canberra Hospital
Director – Program for Cellular and Molecular Innovation in Surgery- The University of Melbourne Department of Surgery.
Director- Australasian Clinical Trials in Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery (ACTPRAS)
Australasian Liaison- Plastic Surgery Research Council and European Plastic Surgery Research Council

Michael enjoys spending time with his family, bike riding, staying active and playing the piano.

Kate Rafferty

Registered Nurse, RPS Australia Business Development Manager.

Kate is a Registered Nurse with post graduate qualifications in Paediatric Critical Care, Perioperative Nursing, Education and Management.

She has been a co-author of four editions of a textbook covering all aspects of Clinical Dosage Calculations.

When not in Melbourne, she can be found in South West Victoria enjoying time with her family, a large garden, horses and plenty of Bernese Mountain Dogs.

Caroline Ousley

RPS Australia General Manager

Caroline has an extensive history as a plastic and reconstructive secretary and now works as the Practice Manager for the RPS Australia.

Caroline comes from a long line of highly accomplished medical receptionists and is our expert resource regarding medical rooms management.

When she’s not working, she enjoys spending time in her garden and travelling with her husband and children.

Michelle Presneill

RPS Canberra Registered Nurse

Michelle is a Registered Nurse with experience and knowledge covering a wide range of specialties. She is a Graduate of the University of Canberra, and has post graduate qualifications in Critical and Emergency Care.

Michelle works with the RPS Canberra team part time, balancing this with employment with another healthcare provider.

When Michelle is not at work, she enjoys game nights with friends, being the favourite Aunty to five nieces and nephews and enjoying a night cuddling George – her share house Labrador.

Maddy Perrignon

RPS Canberra Medical Receptionist.

Maddy has joined the RPS Canberra family in a part time capacity to assist with the administration of the rooms. Maddy is currently studying a Doctor of Medicine in hopes of one day practicing surgery. She has a Bachelor of Health Science from the Australian National University, and brings to the role a passion for all things related to medicine, organisation, learning and patient care.

In her free time, Maddy loves to trail run through the beautiful landscapes of Canberra, spend quality time with her cat Billy, and doing yet another jigsaw puzzle (of which she excels).

Vanessa Brotto

RPS Research Fellow & Registered Nurse

Vanessa is a Registered Nurse and Research Associate with over 24 years of experience in critical care nursing and over 17 years as an academic. She also has extensive expertise in education and executive leadership across health and social service sectors. She is committed to improving healthcare quality and outcomes through evidence-based practice, strategic system reform, and meaningful stakeholder engagement. Vanessa brings strong skills in clinical governance, research, and workforce development, delivering impactful solutions that support individuals and communities. When she’s not at work, you’ll find Vanessa sailing, volunteering, or navigating her way through a sea of Board and Committee meetings with enthusiasm, chocolate and purpose.