A/Prof Mark J. Winder (MBBS(Hons), MS, FRACS) is an Australian trained Neurosurgeon. He is a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons and a member of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA).
A/Prof Mark Winder initially trained as a physiotherapist at the University of Sydney. Here he specialised in sports biomechanics and body movement. He worked at the Australian Institute of Sports Satellite Centres and toured with several Australian Teams. He was involved in the medical care of:
He was a member of the Australian Olympic Medical Team for the Atlanta Olympics, 1996 and has been a proud member of the Australian Olympians Club for over 20 years.
After seven years of spinal, biomechanical and musculo-skeletal assessment, A/Prof Winder decided to further his knowledge of neuro anatomy, attaining his medical degree at The University of Sydney. This was done with the aim of streamlining surgical decision making.
Upon completion of his medical degree with Honors, MBBS (Hons) he was accepted into the Neurosurgical Training Program where he completed his Neurosurgical Training throughout some of Australasia’s finest Hospitals, becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2009.
He concurrently completed a Master of Surgery (MS) at the University of Sydney in 2006 under the supervision of Professor Michael K. Morgan, attaining the highest regarded surgical achievement, the John Lowenthal Medal.
Having completed his physiotherapy degree (B.App,Sc Phty), working with Australian teams, then completing a medical degree (MBBS (Hons)), becoming a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Neurosurgery (FRACS), whilst completing a Masters Degree(MS), A/Prof Winder was chosen to complete subspecialist training in North America.
Here he underwent a dedicated 12 month Combined Spinal Fellowship at the University of Calgary which included a specific focus on Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery.
He trained under some of North America’s finest specialist spinal surgeons. He was able to publish and present his research at multiple North American Spinal Meetings.
A/Prof Winder was then selected for a Minimally Invasive Skull Base Fellowship at the Swedish Neuroscience Institute and Swedish Science Foundation, in Seattle USA. Here, he was mentored by internationally renowned skull base neurosurgeons Dr Marc Mayberg, Dr David Newell and Dr Greg Foltz.
He specifically focused on tumours and skull base tumours. He also trained with the intention of extending his knowledge on endoscopic approaches in the management of pituitary tumours.
Throughout both Fellowships, A/Prof Mark Winder maintained a strong research focus, completing multiple papers. He has also presented at North American meetings, teaching dissection courses and being actively involved in junior training. A/Prof Winder has extensive experience in global private hospitals.
He has been involved in the development of the Australasian Neurosurgical Curriculum, is a Senior lecturer at UNSW and the University of Notre Dame where he was appointed as an Associate Professor based on his Clinical Research.
A/Prof Winder has been a Neurosurgeon at St Vincent’s Public and Private Hospital for 15 years. He has been the Director of Clinical Training for 10 years, which included being Departmental Chairman for the past 7 years.
His primary areas of Specialty are
A/Prof Winder is currently involved in an advisory capacity for the Australian Sports review of Concussion protocols, being heavily involved with the NRL, ARU and AFL. He has a strong passion for sports related spinal issues and management.
A/Prof Winder has extensive experience in Spinal Surgery from minimally invasive discectomies to complex spinal reconstruction and removal of spinal cord tumours. He has made it is passion to be able to offer a multifaceted approach to resolving spinal issues, being able to offer all spinal surgical techniques that are tailored to the patient’s condition. He has trained and been involved in research enabling him expertise in anterior, lateral, and posterior surgical techniques, as well as motion preservation (disc replacements) throughout the spine. He utilises his physiotherapy and musculoskeletal background to maximise outcomes, which means offering surgery only when indicated.
His overarching philosophy related to spinal conditions is
This philosophy of alignment has been borne out of decades of research, with more recent data reiterating the impact of malalignment. Through the addition of advancing surgical techniques, imaging capabilities (pre-operative and intra-operative) and surgical equipment, we can now offer and institute a well-planned surgical procedure.
A/Prof Winder is a specialised endoscopic skull base surgeon, focusing on pituitary tumours and chordomas. Wherever appropriate, a minimally invasive endoscopic approach is utilized for the removal of anterior skull base lesions.
There is evolving evidence suggesting the higher success rates of endoscopic approaches compared to open approaches with the aim of improving cure rates, patient satisfaction, length of hospital stay and intra cranial visual representation.
He works with a dedicated skull base team, aimed at surgical success with minimal morbidity. He is one of the Faculty Directors of the Endoscopic Skull Base Dissection Courses held annually at St Vincent’s Clinic. Here A/Prof Winder works closely with A/Prof. Richard Harvey.
