Professor Fiona Wood AO has been awarded the Lifetime Achievement Award by the American Burn Association, as part of its Professional Leadership and Distinguished Service Awards.
This award is the Association’s highest honour, recognising individuals whose contributions have advanced burn care through leadership, vision, and sustained commitment. It acknowledges not only the impact to date but also the field's ongoing development through collaboration and mentorship.
Professor Wood’s career spans more than three decades across plastic and reconstructive surgery and medical research, as a clinician-scientist and mentor. She trained at St Thomas’ Hospital Medical School in London, where her early focus on anatomy and tissue biology shaped her path into reconstructive surgery. After relocating to Australia, she became Western Australia’s first female plastic surgeon in 1991 and later Director of the Burns Service of Western Australia.
Her work has centred on advancing regenerative approaches to burn injury. As co-inventor with Marie Stoner, she led the development of spray-on skin technology from concept through to global clinical use. The RECELL® system introduced a point-of-care regenerative approach, reducing donor skin requirements and enabling new methods for wound closure and recovery.
Alongside this, Professor Wood has led a sustained research program examining burn injury beyond the acute phase, contributing to a broader understanding of its long-term physiological and systemic effects. This work, supported by clinical trials, population data, and multidisciplinary research, continues to inform both current practice and future directions in care.
Her contribution also extends to mentorship, training, and international collaboration, supporting the next generation of clinicians and researchers.
Reflecting on the recognition, Professor Wood said her work has been guided by a commitment to continuous improvement in care.
“Throughout my career, the focus has been on taking what we learn today and applying it to improve outcomes for tomorrow,” she said.
She also highlighted the importance of recognising the broader impact of burn injury.
“One of the most important shifts has been recognising that burn injury extends far beyond the initial trauma. That understanding has driven change, from prevention and first aid in the community through to research and innovation in burn treatment and long-term recovery.”
Professor Wood noted that the award represents both recognition and responsibility.
“I am honoured to be recognised by the American Burn Association. This reflects a lifetime of work, and with that comes a responsibility to continue advancing care and supporting the next generation of clinicians and researchers who will lead the future of this field.
The privilege to have treated thousands of patients suffering burn injury is at the core of the work. In addition, I have had the privilege to work with many amazing clinicians and scientists over the years, most notably Mark Fear, who is truly missed.”