A/Prof Richard Ferch
BSc MBBS FRACS
Associate Professor Richard Ferch is an experienced adult and paediatric Neurosurgeon practicing in Newcastle. He performs cranial, spinal and peripheral nerve surgery.
Education & Professional Experience
Richard completed his medical degree at the University of New South Wales and started his career as a Resident at Royal North Shore Hospital in Sydney followed by stints as a Medical Officer in Papua New Guinea and rural NSW.
Neurosurgical training began as a Registrar at the John Hunter Hospital and continued with appointments at Christchurch Hospital in New Zealand, St Vincent’s Hospital Sydney, Verona Hospital in Italy, Sydney Children’s Hospital, Prince of Wales Hospital Sydney and the Radcliffe Infirmary in Oxford in the UK. During this time Richard won the Peter Leech Award for his research.
Richard was appointed as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) in 2003 and has been the Director of Research for the Neurosurgery Department at the John Hunter Hospital since 2004.
Dr Ferch developed the post fellowship spine surgery training programme at the John Hunter Hospital.
Dr Ferch has authored over 25 papers published in peer reviewed journals and continues to work in research.
Current Appointments
Richard is currently a Visiting Medical Officer (Neurosurgery and Spine) at John Hunter Hospital, Lingard Private Hospital, and Newcastle Private Hospital.
Affiliations
Research and Teaching
Richard is the Director of the Spinal Fellowship programme and the Director of Research for the Department of Neurosurgery at John Hunter Hospital. He is widely published and a sought after presenter.
Previously a Conjoint Senior Lecturer at the University of Newcastle’s School of Medicine & Public Health, Richard is currently an Associate Professor.
Memberships
- Neurosurgical Society of Australasia
- Spine Society of Australia
- Cervical Spine Research Society
- European Cervical Spine Society
Fun Facts
Richard is a keen surfer, kitesurfer, and snowboarder. He also enjoys bushwalking, travel, cooking and literature.
