ABOUT DR HANDMER
MBBS (Hons) FRACS (Urol)
Caring
Dr Marcus Handmer is a Urological Surgeon with comprehensive specialist training in Urology, including robotic, laparoscopic and major open procedures, stones, and emerging treatments for male lower urinary tract symptoms.
Dr Handmer is a thorough, caring and approachable Urologist who enjoys working with his colleagues to achieve the best possible outcomes for his patients. He understands that health events may be stressful for patients and their families and works actively to reduce this by giving clear, detailed explanations and timely care.
Treatment philosophy
Dr Handmer believes that patients are entitled to understand what is going on with their bodies, to know the options, to ask questions, and to make decisions based on the clearest possible information – transparently and free from pressure. The best treatment may not necessarily be the latest technology, and in many cases, may not be surgical.
Dr Handmer welcomes second opinions and multidisciplinary management, and makes a commitment to his patients to always place their interests first in the recommendation of treatment modalities. Where indicated, Dr Handmer may recommend a team of surgical specialists, or refer patients to a trusted colleague with further subspecialist expertise.
Training
Dr Handmer graduated from medical school in 2012 with the Derek and Shirley Howes Award for the most outstanding graduating student in the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery, First Class Honours and the University Medal.
Following his internship and residency, Dr Handmer commenced accredited surgical training in General Surgery, based at Royal North Shore Hospital, before he was selected to join the Urology training program. He has trained at twenty-two hospitals across NSW and the ACT, and was awarded both the prestigious Chris Farrell and Keith Kirkland prizes during his training, completing his Fellowship examination in 2019.
Dr Handmer undertook further training in Robotic uro-oncology at Liverpool Hospital, and was awarded the Certificate of Intuitive System Training in 2020.
Contributing
Dr Handmer has taken an active role in representation and advocacy, including serving as the Education Trainee Representative on the Board of Urology, authoring a prizewinning essay on public health service improvement and serving on National Standards committees at Gosford and Wyong Hospitals. He serves on the Medical Advisory and Robotic Steering Committees at LMPH. He is a Conjoint Lecturer with the University of New South Wales, and has held clinical teaching roles with Western Sydney University, the University of Sydney, and the University of Newcastle.
Dr Handmer has regularly presented at major local and international meetings, including the American College of Surgeons Clinical Congress, and was recently presented with the prize for best poster and presentation in session at the Canadian Urology Association Annual Surgical Meeting in Halifax. His published areas of research interest include surgical (and surgeon) safety, operative and non-operative management of urogenital cancers, and validation of emerging diagnostic technologies.
Credentials
Dr Handmer is a fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS), a full member of the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand (USANZ), accredited in Major Uro-Oncology (including cystectomy), Head of Department (Urology) at the John Hunter Hospital / Royal Newcastle Centre and holds the Certificate of Intuitive system (Robotic) training as a Fellow.
Dr Handmer lives locally with his family.