After graduating with a medical degree from the University of Adelaide, Dr Mark Schembri completed specialist training in Otorhinolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery (ENT) in Adelaide.
He undertook post graduate subspecialty training in three areas of Otorhinolaryngology. Dr Schembri undertook additional training in paediatric ENT, in the United Kingdom, with a special interest in the paediatric airway. He has a large paediatric ENT practice, and is a visiting specialist at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, where he established the complex airway clinic. He is a member of the renowned Australian Craniofacial Unit, and has active research interests in paediatric ENT.
Dr Schembri was appointed clinical fellow in facial plastic and reconstructive surgery at St Bartholomew’s Hospital, London, U.K. He has many years of experience with cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty procedures, and has convened and been on faculty of several national and international rhinoplasty training courses and conferences. He performs regular cosmetic and functional rhinoplasty procedures, including as part of management of sleep apnoea, and nasal septal perforation repair, with a consequent solid understanding of balancing functional and aesthetic concerns.
Additionally, Dr Schembri went on to train in specialised airway reconstruction surgery for obstructive sleep apnoea, under the mentorship of the late Dr Samuel Robinson in Adelaide, and Tucker Woodson in Milwaukee, USA (both pioneers of modern day sleep apnoea surgery). Over many years performing airway surgery for management of snoring and sleep apnoea, he has developed and refined surgical protocols with a positive impact on outcomes. He is one of only a handful of surgeons in Australia who specialise in the entire spectrum of airway reconstruction surgery for sleep disordered breathing.
Training in these three areas has led to a solid understanding of airway pathology and management from nose to trachea. His philosophy remains one of a wholistic approach to the management of his patients, so he works closely with other health professionals to ensure multidisciplinary care.
Dr Schembri is a consultant staff specialist at the Lyell McEwin Hospital, where he is aiming to help evolve ENT public services in the north. He has a commitment to education, and spent many years as a supervisor of surgical training, and currently remains involved in teaching of surgical registrars and medical students. He has a number of research interests including rhinology, mucosal immunology and paediatric sleep disordered breathing.
Dr Schembri is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, and a member of the Australian Society of Otorhinolaryngology, Head & Neck Surgery.
He is married and has 3 young children.
