September 26, 2023

Anya Puangsawas

11th Grade

Brooklyn Technical High School

Given the title of “Australian of the Year” five times in a row, Dr. Fiona Wood is a distinguished plastic and reconstructive surgeon in her field of expertise– treating burns and other types of skin damage. She is principally recognized by the public eye and the world of science for her development of “Spray-on Skin”, a revolutionary and innovative treatment that shortened the time needed to cultivate enough cells to cover serious burns from the prior three-week duration to only five days.

Dr. Fiona Wood studied and began her medical career at St Thomas' Hospital Medical School in London, which kindled her interest in plastic surgery and research. Afterward, she began working at Great Ormond Street Hospital, which led her to discover her distinct fondness for congenital issues after working with scarring; at the Queen Victoria Hospital, she was able to pursue that fascination by entering the burns unit.

In 1987, Dr. Wood decided to move to Perth, Western Australia with her husband, Tony Keirath, and her first two children. She then secured a job at Royal Perth Hospital where she made history and became Western Australia’s first female plastic surgeon and later, the Director of the Burns Service of Western Australia. 

The extent of scarring reduction and skin healing depends on the type of skin taken; Dr. Fiona Wood concentrated her efforts on skin that was thinner since it absorbed enzyme solutions more quickly. She discovered through her research that scarring could be significantly minimized if replacement skin could be made available within 10 days, as healing a wound as soon as possible reduces the likelihood of infection, which is one of the main causes of severe scarring.

ReCell can improve severe burns weeks earlier compared to previously utilized techniques. The process of rejuvenation starts out by having professionals take a small sample of cells from the patient’s skin and suspend it into a solution. This solution ends up being sprayed onto the patient’s burn, creating a new layer of skin. If the burn is more severe, a skin graft will be applied before spraying. The treatment has been able to treat a wound up to 80 times the size of the small sample. 

This invention was proven to be useful during the Bali bombings of 2002. At Royal Perth Hospital, Dr. Fiona Wood and her medical team successfully saved and improved the lives of 25 victims, demonstrating the successful and extraordinary impact her product has on patients and it can be ultimately used to save the skin of individuals all around the globe. Her leadership as the Director of the Burns Unit and co-creator of ReCell enabled her to gain substantial recognition and respect throughout her field and country. 

Dr. Fiona Wood has proven to be an asset to the medical industry through her groundbreaking research, life-saving treatment, and excellent leadership. ReCell continues to save and improve thousands of lives worldwide.