Brisbane-born Dr Cecelia Gzell is a Radiation Oncologist at Macquarie University Hospital  where she works exclusively with Neuro-Oncology patients with both benign and malignant tumours. She holds a PhD in glioblastoma research from the University of Sydney, in addition to Bachelors degrees in Medical Science and Medicine.

1. The coolest bit of equipment you use in your work
This is the gamma knife unit, which enables precision small field radiotherapy to be delivered incredibly accurately to targets within the brain and base of skull. It delivers a precise dose of radiation by manipulating very tiny radioactive cobalt sources. It is used for both benign and malignant tumours as well as patients’ Arterial Venous Malformations and essential tremor.

2. Something you feel proud of
In 2020, we treated more than 100 patients on the gamma knife unit and we are on track this year to increase that number again.

3. Something you’d like staff to know
The Gamma knife source exchange, which took place last month, will mean that treatment times for patients are halved.

The radioactive sources in the Gamma Knife unit decay over time, meaning that it takes longer to deliver the same amount of radiotherapy as time goes on. Generally the sources are replaced every five years, so now that the new sources are in, the treatment times for patients will basically halve. A typical treatment for vestibular schwannoma will likely take less than half an hour with the new sources and a multi-metastases treatment may only take an hour or so, instead of three to five hours.

4. What you need to do your best work
A great team.  I am so lucky to have that at Genesis Care, the  oncology unit at Macquarie. Our staff are fantastic and do their utmost to ensure our patients get the best care and a comfortable experience at MUH.

5. A personal quality you value in others
Integrity. I try to surround myself with honest and ethical people as I think that is one of the most important things to ensure patients are getting the best outcomes.

6. Something you’ve read recently that has had an impact on you
Dr Lucy Morgan’s letter to the Sydney Morning Herald regarding the impact of COVID-19 on younger patients and their families. I found her description of children requiring hospitalisation in paediatric wards – so that there was someone to care for them while their parents were battling COVID – profoundly disturbing as a parent.

7. The first person you go to for advice
My husband, because he’s not afraid to tell me what I don’t want to hear!

8. A favourite photo from your camera roll
This is our new puppy, Fudge.

9. I’m happiest when…
I’m reading, writing or baking.

10. What you like about where you live
We are surrounded by trees and birds on the North Shore. It’s a very peaceful place to live and the locals are welcoming and down-to-earth.