Dr Mara Clarson is a Specialist General Surgeon with an interests and training in endocrine, breast and trauma surgery, applying advanced minimally invasive and laparoscopic techniques. Dr Clarson's experience in this area has focused on the advancement of her technique in all aspects of adrenal surgery, surgical treatment of thyroid and parathyroid disorders, oncoplastic breast surgery and laparoscopic hernia repair.

Dr Clarson is passionate about giving her patients the best possible outcomes.

Dr Clarson grew up in Sydney, and moved to Queensland in 2000. She graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery in 2003, and was accepted into the Advanced Surgical Training Program with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons. After completing her specialty surgical training in Queensland, predominantly at the Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, Dr Clarson spent time in Perth as Fellow at the Endocrine Surgical Unit in Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital. There, she developed skills in minimally invasive thyroid and parathyroid surgery, as well as laparoscopic adrenal surgery.

In 2013 Mara was the General Surgical Fellow at Nambour General Hospital and was subsequently appointed Staff Specialist in General Surgery, teaching and supervising surgical registrars. During her time at Nambour, Dr Clarson worked to improve surgical outcomes for patients involved in trauma as the Case Coordinator for the Trauma Quality Improvement Committee. She has more recently been involved at a number of hospitals in reduce waiting lists for surgery.

Dr Clarson is constantly seeking ways to advance her knowledge and techniques, and those of the surgical registrars she trains, both in the public and private setting. Beyond her focus on technique, Dr Clarson also understands the vital importance of communication skills in treating patients effectively. As a result, she is part of the faculty for the Training in Professional Skills course, teaching surgeons the verbal and non-verbal communication skills to manage less favorable outcomes with care and compassion. She has also had a strong involvement with the Medical Advisory Committee at the Sunshine Coast University Private Hospital. She was the General Surgical representative for 2015 and 2016, and was elected Chairperson of the committee in 2017.

Dr Clarson also has a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Sydney, with majors in philosophy and psychology. When she's not working long hours, she's likely to be halfway up a mountain, competing in endurance horse riding, trail running or walking with her young daughter and dogs on the beach.

Surgical services:

• Laparoscopic Surgery including appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair
• Endocrine surgery – thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, adrenalectomy
• Hernia repair
• Breast surgery – for both benign and malignant pathology
• Breast reconstruction surgery

* Laparoscopic surgery including appendicectomy, cholecystectomy, hernia repair

* Endocrine surgery – thyroidectomy, parathyroidectomy, adrenalectomy

* Hernia repair

* Breast surgery – for both benign and malignant pathology

* Breast reconstruction surgery