Professor Michael Hughes

Clinical Professor T. Michael Hughes is a highly regarded Surgical Oncologist, clinical leader, and academic with extensive expertise in the surgical management of melanoma, breast cancer, sarcoma, and complex oncological conditions.

Professor Hughes graduated with First Class Honours in Medicine from the University of Sydney in 1989. He completed his residency and advanced surgical training at Westmead Hospital, obtaining Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 1996. Early in his career, he developed a strong interest in Surgical Oncology through collaboration with the Sydney Melanoma Unit at Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, while also contributing important research into gastrointestinal injuries caused by blunt trauma.

Between 1998 and 1999, Professor Hughes undertook a prestigious fellowship in Surgical Oncology at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. During this time, he gained advanced experience in the management of melanoma, sarcoma, and breast cancer and completed significant melanoma research investigating the role of pelvic lymphadenectomy in metastatic melanoma involving the groin.

In 1999, he was appointed Lecturer in Surgical Oncology at the University of Sydney and the Sydney Melanoma Unit. He later returned to Westmead Hospital, where he established the first dedicated Surgical Oncology service in Western Sydney and subsequently developed one of the few Surgical Oncology Fellowship training programmes in New South Wales.

Professor Hughes has played a pivotal role in the growth and advancement of cancer services at Sydney Adventist Hospital. In 2005, he was instrumental in establishing the San Breast Multidisciplinary Breast Cancer Team, where he continues to serve as Lead and Chairman. He also founded Northern Surgical Oncology, a specialist surgical oncology practice that has grown into a respected multidisciplinary service supporting surgeons at various stages of their careers.

Alongside his clinical work, Professor Hughes has held several senior academic and leadership positions. In 2011, he joined the SAH Clinical School of the University of Sydney as Associate Professor, later becoming Deputy Head and subsequently Head of the Clinical School. Following the school’s transition to the Australian National University in 2021, he continued as Head of the Clinical School before stepping down in 2025 to focus on clinical research and patient care. In April 2025, he was appointed Clinical Professor at ANU.

Professor Hughes has also held major leadership roles within surgical services and clinical governance. He served as Head of Department of General Surgery at Sydney Adventist Hospital, where he established and chaired the Surgical Services Committee, and later became the inaugural Clinical Director of the Division of Surgical Services in 2019.