Rate My Professor Simone Petrich

Dr. Simone Petrich serves as a Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Department of Surgical Sciences, General Surgery section, at the University of Otago. She earned her Medical Doctorate from Heidelberg University in Germany in 1997 and completed specialist training in Obstetrics and Gynaecology in Hessen, Germany, in 2004, which encompassed breast diseases. Relocating to New Zealand, she practices as a breast surgeon at Dunedin Hospital, part of Te Whatu Ora Southern, while also providing care in obstetrics and gynaecology. Her primary professional focus is oncology, for which she is an accredited breast surgeon in the New Zealand Breast Screening Programme, the lead colposcopist in Dunedin, and a Fellow of the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (FRANZCOG). Dr. Petrich established the multidisciplinary genetics meeting for gynaecology and breast services in Dunedin and chairs the NZ Familial Breast Cancer & Ovarian Cancer Trust.

In her academic role, Dr. Petrich contributes to teaching and research in surgery, obstetrics, and gynaecology. Her research interests include the management of breast cancer-related complications, such as lymphedema using low-level laser therapy (photobiomodulation), integrative approaches like Tai Chi for chemotherapy patients, cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), and familial breast/ovarian cancer risks. Notable publications include: "Low level laser therapy (Photobiomodulation therapy) for breast cancer-related lymphedema: a systematic review" published in BMC Cancer (2017, cited extensively); a pilot randomized controlled trial evaluating low-level laser therapy as an alternative to manual lymphatic drainage (BMC Cancer, 2017); "Low level laser therapy for the management of breast cancer-related fatigue: a randomized controlled feasibility study" in Lasers in Surgery and Medicine (2018); "An integrative Tai Chi program for patients with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy" in Journal of Integrative Medicine (2018); and "Recurrence of high-grade cervical abnormalities following conservative management of CIN 2" in the American Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology (2015). She has authored or co-authored 19 research works, accumulating over 360 citations as per ResearchGate. Her contributions enhance clinical practices in oncology and surgical sciences.