Associate Professor Michelle Locke

MB ChB 1999 Auckland; FRACS 2010

Associate Professor Locke is a highly regarded Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon based in Auckland. As one of New Zealands few female Plastic Surgeons, she is acutely aware of her patients’ needs and she is dedicated to helping them achieve the best possible outcome from their surgery. Associate Professor Locke is thorough, conscientious and empathic in her assessment of patients. She will discuss your personal options to allow individualised decision making, tailored to your needs and desires, taking into account your personal situation.

Associate Professor Locke is fully trained in New Zealand, attending the University of Auckland School of Medicine. As well as her advanced surgical training, she undertook two years of full time research at the University of Auckland School of Biological Sciences to obtain a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) along with her Plastic and reconstructive Surgery qualification (FRACS Plastics) in 2010.

After completing her training, Associate Professor Locke spent two years in North America, honing her skills in breast reconstruction as well as cosmetic and aesthetic surgery. She trained in all forms of breast reconstruction including microsurgical reconstructions such as the deep inferior epigastric perforator (DIEP) flap.  She has been working as a specialist Plastic and Reconstructive Surgeon at Middlemore hospital in Auckland since 2012. With regular attendance at meetings and symposia around the world, Associate Professor Locke ensures that her knowledge, skills and techniques remain up to date and conform to best practice standards.

Associate Professor Locke is motivated and enthusiastic about achieving the best outcomes for her patients. She enjoys working in a team environment and is well respected by her peers. Outside of work, she keeps fit by going to the gym and playing hockey. She is married with two daughters.

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Associate Professor Michelle Locke has a strong research background which stemmed from participation in several Summer Studentship research projects as an undergraduate. During her advanced training in Plastic Surgery, she spent two years in the laboratory to undertake a Doctorate of Medicine (MD) degree at the School of Biological Sciences at the University of Auckland. Her thesis work involved benchtop scientific experiments, culminating in the submission of her thesis in fulfilment of the degree requirements. This fuelled her love of research, which continues to this day.

Currently Associate Professor Locke works at the University of Auckland two days per week and is involved in ongoing research projects in the Dunbar laboratory at the School of Biological Sciences, as well as collaborations with other departments. During her clinical time, she is the principal investigator of many other research projects, often focused on improving outcomes for breast reconstruction patients.

19 January 2001

Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery