Dr Chahaya Gauci is a colorectal and general surgeon with advanced training in colorectal and gastrointestinal oncological surgery. He completed specialist general surgical training at St George and Liverpool Hospitals, followed by three years of colorectal surgery fellowships at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney, The Princess Alexandra Hospital in Brisbane, and Royal Prince Alfred Hospital in Sydney. He was born and raised in Coffs Harbour and is proud to return to the Mid North Coast to offer care to the community.

His experience covers the full scope of colorectal surgery as well as general surgery, with particular interests in colorectal cancer, minimally invasive surgery, endoscopy, and benign colorectal conditions. He is accredited in colonoscopy and upper gastrointestinal endoscopy and is committed to careful, evidence-based and patient-centred care.

Dr Gauci is involved in surgical teaching, mentoring and clinical research, with a focus on improving outcomes and access to specialist care, particularly in regional communities. He has held academic appointments with the University of Sydney and is a current Conjoint Lecturer in the School of Medicine at the University of New South Wales. He is a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, has a Master of Surgery from the University of Sydney, and holds the following associations:

• Member General Surgeons Australia

• Member of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons (ASCRS)

• Member of the European Society of Coloproctology (ESCP)

• International Member of the Association of Coloproctology Great Britain and Ireland (ACPGBI)

• Member Australia Medical Association

• Member Rural Surgery Section, Royal Australasian College of Surgeons

• Member Agency for Clinical Innovation NSW - Rural Health Network

• Member Agency for Clinical Innovation NSW – Gastroenterology Network