In the world of modern medicine, few figures have made as transformative an impact as Professor Fiona Wood, the Australian plastic surgeon and medical researcher renowned for revolutionizing burns treatment through the invention of spray-on skin. Her career, spanning decades of innovation and resilience, has reshaped the care of burn victims not just in Australia but across the globe.
Born in 1958 in a Yorkshire mining village in England, Fiona Wood began her journey in medicine at St. Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in London. She was one of only twelve women admitted in 1978 and graduated with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) in 1981. During her early years in the British medical system, Wood developed a passion for plastic surgery, working under leading surgeons including Mr. Brian Mayou. Her time at Great Ormond Street Hospital was particularly formative, as she encountered a wide range of congenital deformities and scarring that would shape her future interests.
After moving to Australia in 1987, Wood secured a registrar position in plastic surgery at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth. Her drive and expertise led her to become Western Australia’s first female plastic surgeon in 1991. Soon after, she was appointed Director of the Burns Service of Western Australia, a position from which she would lead her team to international recognition for excellence in burns care.
Wood’s collaboration with medical scientist Marie Stoner paved the way for a breakthrough in her career. In 1993, the two women began developing a revolutionary burns treatment at Royal Perth Hospital and Princess Margaret Hospital, with the support of a Telethon grant. Their work resulted in the launch of Cellspray® in 1995—a groundbreaking solution in which healthy skin cells are cultured and sprayed directly onto the affected area. The product was later commercialized under the name Recell, and their company, Clinical Cell Culture (now Avita Medical), was founded in 1999.
This technique, known popularly as spray-on skin, allows for rapid healing and significantly reduced scarring. Instead of relying on painful and time-consuming skin grafts, this innovation offered burn victims a faster and more effective path to recovery. Since its introduction, spray-on skin has been used to treat over 19,000 patients worldwide and is considered a world first in burns treatment technology.
Professor Wood’s work was catapulted into the international spotlight following the 2002 Bali bombings, a devastating event that left hundreds injured. When 28 severely burned survivors were flown to Royal Perth Hospital, Wood led a team of 19 surgeons and 130 medical staff in a race against time to save lives. Many patients had burns over up to 92% of their bodies. The success of the operation and the application of her spray-on skin technique drew worldwide admiration and further underlined her role as a leader in emergency burn response.
Despite international recognition, including being named Australian of the Year in 2005, Professor Wood has remained focused on her goals—advancing clinical care and medical research. She continues to work at Royal Perth Hospital, Princess Margaret Hospital, and the University of Western Australia, mentoring the next generation of surgeons and researchers.
Another significant figure in her life was the late Harold McComb, a pioneering Australian plastic surgeon and founding member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons. Wood credits him with being a major influence, describing him as someone who constantly pushed boundaries to improve patient outcomes. The legacy of his mentorship lives on through the Fiona Wood Foundation, originally established in his name in 1999.
Throughout her career, Professor Fiona Wood has demonstrated not only a remarkable ability to innovate but also a profound commitment to improving the lives of others. Her development of spray-on skin has redefined what’s possible in the treatment of severe burns, offering patients hope where previously there was none. With ongoing research and dedication, she continues to push the boundaries of wound healing and burns medicine, securing her place as a true pioneer in modern healthcare.
