In this episode of Inside The Shoulder, Dr. Kenneth Cutbush is joined by Kieran Hirpara, an orthopaedic surgeon now based in Rockhampton, for a personal and insightful conversation about international training and building a surgical career in Australia.

Kieran shares his journey through medical school and orthopaedic training in Ireland, completing a hand fellowship in the UK, and why he chose to apply for a fellowship in Australia. Seeking a system similar to the UK, with a better lifestyle and climate. Arriving in Brisbane with his family, Kieran reflects on how eye-opening the experience was, the volume of surgery he was exposed to, and how he became Ken’s very first shoulder fellow, helping launch the fellowship program.

He also speaks about his family background, moving across countries throughout his life, meeting his partner, raising a family, and eventually settling in regional Australia. The episode closes with Kieran’s advice for international surgeons considering Australia, and why orthopaedic and shoulder surgery became his chosen path.