Dr Fernando Picazo-Pineda

Dr. Fernando Picazo-Pineda serves as a vascular and endovascular surgeon in the Department of Vascular Surgery at the Royal Perth Hospital in Australia. A native of Barcelona, Spain, Dr. Picazo immigrated with his family to Australia in 2017. He faced significant financial and bureaucratic challenges in securing permanent residency, compounded by the high costs associated with professional certification in his field. His situation improved markedly after receiving the 2022 Anwar and Myrtha Girgis SIMG Grant, which aided migrant, refugee, and asylum seeker doctors in financial hardship.

Dr. Picazo’s clinical expertise encompasses peripheral arterial disease, endovascular procedures, and open surgery of lower limbs. He plays a key role in the multidisciplinary diabetic foot unit at the hospital, focusing on improving blood supply for patients with arterial diseases and diabetes-related complications such as ulcers and gangrene. His approach involves a collaborative framework, working closely with specialists in endocrinology, orthopedics, plastic surgery, and infectious diseases to provide comprehensive patient care.

His medical journey began after being inspired by his parents, a general practitioner and a midwife, leading him to pursue surgery as a career. He completed his medical studies at the University of Navarra in Pamplona, Spain, known for its rich cultural heritage. Prior to his current role, he has served as a Fellow at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital in Perth and as a consultant vascular surgeon at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital in Catalonia, one of Spain's most prominent medical facilities.

Recently accredited as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS), Dr. Picazo is keen to expand his impact by working in remote communities and leading independent surgical projects. Despite the initial struggles of migrating and establishing his career in a new country, the opportunities in Australia’s healthcare system and the lifestyle benefits for his family encouraged him to persevere.

Outside of his professional commitments, Dr. Picazo values family time, enjoying outdoor activities and nature trips with his wife Monica and their two children, reflecting his deep commitment to both his career and family life.