Dr Woolven attended Adelaide and Flinders Universities and trained in General Surgery in North Queensland. He obtained Fellowship in Upper Gastrointestinal and Bariatric Surgery at St George Hospital in Sydney. He teaches at James Cook University and is a faculty member of the College of Surgeons Academy of Surgical Educators.

Areas of Interest include:

• Upper gastrointestinal surgery
• Bariatric surgery (gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy and adjustable band)
• Laparoscopic surgery
• Gallbladder surgery
• Hernia surgery