Under Her Skin: The life and work of Professor Fiona Wood AM, National Living Treasure

by Sue Williams

The remarkable story of Professor Fiona Wood AM, world-leading burns specialist and one of Australia's most innovative and respected surgeons, whose groundbreaking research and technology development has changed the lives of burns patients.

When three bombs tore out the heart of Bali and destroyed so many Australian lives in 2002, burns surgeon Professor Fiona Wood and her team were there to help. A pioneer in the field of burns and reconstructive surgery, Fiona made world headlines with the use of her groundbreaking invention of 'spray-on skin' to help minimise her patients' terrible scarring.

Fiona was later made Australian of the Year, voted Australia's Most Trusted Person for an unprecedented six years running in the annual Reader's Digest poll and acclaimed as a 'National Living Treasure'.

This is the story of her extraordinary life. Against all the odds, Fiona, the daughter of a fifth-generation coalminer in the north of England, became one of Australia's most innovative, respected and dedicated surgeons and researchers. She talks candidly of the moving valour of her burns patients, and the heartbreak, triumph, tears and controversies that have stalked her stellar career.

Remarkably, she has achieved all of this while raising six children.

In Under Her Skin, Sue Williams, a bestselling author and award-winning journalist who has written a number of biographies - most notably about Father Chris Riley, Father Bob Maguire and Dr Catherine Hamlin - presents a searingly honest, no-holds-barred account of all aspects of Fiona Wood's remarkable life.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, Book Club, Medical, Womens, Biography Memoir

381 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 5, 2022

Reviews

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under Her Skin by Sue Williams is the story of an extraordinary woman, Fiona Wood. From a young age, Fiona wanted to be a doctor and then a surgeon. In late 1990 Fiona finished her plastics training, passed all her exams and became Western Australia’s first female plastic surgeon. All those years of education and hands-on experience finally paid off and Fiona couldn’t be happier.

In 1991 the Royal Perth Hospital, Dr Bill Beresford, recognised Fiona’s determination and potential and appointed her the head of the Burns Service of Western Australia.

This is an extremely well-written biography about a remarkable woman who has achieved so much through hard work and never giving up and she did all of that whilst raising her family. Highly recommended.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've been completely blown away by the life story of this remarkable woman. Under Her Skin by Australian author Sue Williams tells Fiona Wood's story from her birth into a coal mining family in the north of England, her passionate desire to become a doctor, then a surgeon and everything in between. When she met her soon to be husband, who was also training to become a doctor, and they eventually emigrated to Perth in Western Australia, she had a toddler and a newborn.

Fiona was soon under the spell of Australia, the warmth, the beaches, the opportunities, and soon she began making her mark. Her determination to succeed saw her enter the field of plastic surgery, burns patients, research, new skin for the victims of both horrific and minor burns - her visions were revolutionary. Meanwhile, Fiona continued to have her children, with six well-adjusted and loving kids credited to Tony and Fiona.

All the preparation of Fiona and her teams led to the horrific Bali bombings in 2002, where Fiona would lead the way in working on twenty-eight victims who were sent to her burns unit from Denpasar and Darwin. Other survivors were sent to various burns units across Australia. Professor Fiona Wood was Australian of the Year, voted Australia's Most Trusted Person for six years running, and is also Australia's Living Treasure. She is also a devoted grandmother, while still working hard, and her mother Elsie back home in England, couldn't be more proud of her daughter, the one she knew would go far way back when she was born!

I have never enjoyed a non-fiction/biography more than I did Under Her Skin and I recommend it unreservedly. Fiona Wood is an inspiration and a remarkable woman.

With thanks to Allen & Unwin for my ARC to read in exchange for an honest review.

[Cindy Spear · Rating 5 out of 5]

Under Her Skin is one of the most compelling biographies I have ever read. Sue Williams has an incredible gift with words that certainly brings Professor Fiona Wood’s life into full view. Fiona is a world leading burn’s specialist and to say I admire her even more after reading this book is an understatement. For it is not only the amazing things she has done for burns patients but it is also the fact she never gave up: especially when faced with endless challenges. Earlier on in her career, as an exceptional innovative doctor in a male centred world, she was told she could not do certain things because she was either female or what she wanted to accomplish was impossible. Yet the word ‘no’ is not really in her vocabulary. She was up against the same age old challenges powerful independent free thinking women have faced for centuries. But this five foot one powerhouse not only had the vision of a giant who talked tall, she ultimately proved to her naysayers that she could deliver what she said she could do. And that was making her dreams and hopes of creating better survival odds for burn victims a reality through her pioneered research and technology development.

As I read Under Her Skin I kept thinking: how did she have the energy to do all she did (and continues to do so)? We can have strong ambitions and the will to turn those goals into actions but it can be like climbing Mount Everest. The challenges Fiona faced would discourage many to continue but she never gave up. Maybe her passion to help others, her skill as a surgeon and her athletic training gave her the fuel and resilience she needed. Thankfully she kept pursuing her dream and now has been acknowledged for her achievements in the current age. Her tireless work with the victims of the Bali bombings may have been the major event that brought her technology into the world’s spotlight. The fact she saved twenty eight people is pretty remarkable. But there have even more people she has helped over the years and it is wonderful she has been deservedly awarded with various titles such as the Member of Order of Australia in 2003.

What made her so special? Fiona was a daughter of a coal miner in Yorkshire, England: a life that her parents did not want for their children. Nor did they want to see them trapped in low paying jobs. So, they infused in Fiona and her siblings (two brothers and a sister) an ambition to excel. They were a high achieving family, possibly because their father was a dreamer and told them they could do anything they wanted, if they were prepared to worked hard enough.

I loved this book from the first page to the last but the final chapter title says it all: Dare to Dream. That’s Fiona’s motto really. Even in that section she is pondering some fascinating theories of how the body might be able heal itself if we can harness the realm of thought. Sounds like science fiction? Maybe but thinking outside the box as Fiona hints, is how great discoveries happen. She says “we all have a gift to give and maybe some have not discovered it yet … but we need to connect, and then have the courage to share our gifts.” In many ways it seems she is asking us to share in her vision and dare to dream, too.

Sue Williams has provided a fascinating portrayal of a resilient innovative determined woman who had a tough career start but a triumphant outcome. Yet Fiona has not been alone on the journey and this book is not only about her life but also the heroes she has met, the burns victims she has helped and the mentors she has admired. I was deeply moved by the many stories that spilled across these pages of the people she has helped survive and of those she lost. It certainly shakes up your heart, thinking and views. If you are human, you will be touched deeply by this biography. I highly recommend Under Her Skin. It is a must read for 2022. Hats off to Sue for an exceptional seamless delivery of a true story worth telling. It is clear to see why Fiona is one of Australia’s National Living Treasures. 5 Stars. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Many thanks to Allen & Unwin for my review copy.

Note: I watched Bali 2002 - a 4 part mini-series on Stan and highly recommend it, too. Fiona is played by Rachel Griffiths. And she is wearing a pearl necklace and earrings, just as Fiona does on the cover of the book and in real life at work.

[Georgina · Rating 2 out of 5]

5 stars for Prof Fiona Wood, her incredible achievements and humanity. A wonderful embedded story of her ancestors’ toil, in particular her parents’ sacrifices for their family. From the coal pits of Yorkshire to the world stage, all the while maintaining a devotion to her family, including her husband and six children. A pocket dynamo and inspiration for sure.
The two stars is because I found the biography quite tedious at times, particularly the second half. A few too many inclusions from past patients for me. I found it a bit repetitious, as they all basically said that Fiona was wonderful and incredible, and that they credited their survival to her.
I was a bit confused by the recounting of so many terrorist incidents. I could see in hindsight that the inclusions were all setting the scene for the Bali bombings, the event where Fiona’s leadership and clinical and research work came into their own. My personal opinion is that the book could do without the mention of most of these prior terrorism events. I expect to read details of a person’s life in a biography, not a history of terrorism.

[Sophie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always been inspired by this incredible woman and feel very grateful to work within her team! What a journey she has had and I am sure there is more to come.

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learnt a lot in this book. That your age + the extent of your burns can be the maths between life or death. The devastating impact of the Bali bombings, & the coordination of the Australian response. That burns can be linked to future chronic disease, and how a patient copes has so much more to do with just physical recovery.

I felt the book needed more editing - sometimes I felt it unnecessarily repetitive, but otherwise an interesting & inspiring read.

[Glynis Rosser · Rating 5 out of 5]

An inspirational biography well penned by the author. As well as learning of the personal story of Dr Fiona Woods, I also learned a lot more about burns first aid, disaster management and details about the Bali Bombing of which I had not previously been aware.
The description of the public education system in Britain resonated with me too, as I was a child within it at the same time. Appalling.

I highly recommend

[Bek · Rating 2 out of 5]

Actual rating: 2 1/2

This is book being a biography is not my usual genre to read. However, my mum, an avid biography reader, said that I just had to read it because it was really good.

I’m not going to lie I struggled to read this book. Not because of the content, which I actually found facilitating, but the writing style. Professor Fiona Wood achieved and continues to achieve absolutely incredible things! It was just a shame that the book was written to be so long.

The book in total is 362 pages and I feel like her story could have been told in at least 100 pages less. It would have made the story more impactful.

Overall, not a bad read if you’re interested in the medical field. Be warned you may be tempted to skim read a heap of pages like I did.

[Dianne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I could say how proud I am to have an Australian woman so dedicated to helping people that she was made Australian of the year and Order of Australia , plus voted Australia’s most trusted person 6 years in a row AND acclaimed a National Living Treasure.

Actually, the pride starts long before Fiona migrated to Australia with her Australian husband, also a Doctor. Fiona’s parents planted the seed deep within their daughter, the seed of determination, to follow one’s dream, to stare down the bullies and naysayers. Life was tough in the English coal mining community where her father worked.

Fiona would not settle for anything less than to excel and become a surgeon and researcher into better ways of helping burns patients.

Her story covers many of the terrible accidents resulting in horrific burns to adults and children. The author uses the words of Fiona as she traces her younger life and her life as a burns surgeon. Many of Fiona’s friends, colleagues and family help to build a picture of a remarkable woman who stopped at nothing to do well, then better, all the while raising 6 children. Six was a nice even number!

Australians all remember the dreadful Bali bombings at Kuta in 2002. It was as if Fiona’s life had been leading up to this moment as she helped organize the biggest surgical and humanitarian response Australia had known outside of war.

I found this book extremely well written and a credit to Sue Williams.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing woman!!!
Sue Williams has a knack for bringing the subjects of her biographies to life.

The remarkable story of Professor Fiona Wood AM, world-leading burns specialist and one of Australia's most innovative and respected surgeons, whose groundbreaking research and technology development has changed the lives of burns patients. When three bombs tore out the heart of Bali and destroyed so many Australian lives in 2002, burns surgeon Professor Fiona Wood and her team were there to help. A pioneer in the field of burns and reconstructive surgery, Fiona made world headlines with the use of her groundbreaking invention of 'spray-on skin' to help minimise her patients' terrible scarring. Fiona was later made Australian of the Year, voted Australia's Most Trusted Person for an unprecedented six years running in the annual Reader's Digest poll and acclaimed as a 'National Living Treasure'.This is the story of her extraordinary life. Against all the odds, Fiona, the daughter of a fifth-generation coalminer in the north of England, became one of Australia's most innovative, respected and dedicated surgeons and researchers. She talks candidly of the moving valour of her burns patients, and the heartbreak, triumph, tears and controversies that have stalked her stellar career. Remarkably, she has achieved all of this while raising six children. In Under Her Skin, Sue Williams, a bestselling author and award-winning journalist who has written a number of biographies - most notably about Father Chris Riley, Father Bob Maguire and Dr Catherine Hamlin - presents a searingly honest, no-holds-barred account of all aspects of Fiona Wood's remarkable life.

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Author Sue Williams is to be congratulated on this excellent biography of eminent burns specialist Professor Fiona Wood, if for not other reason but for her use of superlatives. This lady is incredible. Her achievements are monumental and her contribution to society makes up for about fifty average slackers. I won't outline her achievements as you should read the book and find out for yourself, but to be told as a 22 year old medical student in London that women can't do surgery has got to be one of the most stupid things ever uttered by a male egotistical old surgeon. His reasons were that they would have to take time off for mensturation and for having babies, would not be strong enough to handle the instruments and would find the rigours of the job beyond them. Even at that stage Fiona could pick an idiot when she heard one and didn't argue, just got on with it and was one of two female surgeons who qualified that year, with fifty males. When you read in this book of Fiona's achievements you will agree that the advice was absolutly stupid. This is an excellent book of a lifetime achievement of an outstanding girl from Yorkshire who has made a fantastic contribution to Australia.

[Lea Hadley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an amazing read. Fiona grew up in poverty in a coal mining area of Northern England, but was always, like her siblings, encouraged and guided to be educated and work hard. They also believed in Fiona as a girl. Fiona tells her life journey to her recognition as an international plastic surgeon as a result of Spray on Skin technique. She explains the prejudice that she had to overcome being female, but always managed to get through, by just being the best and showing that she could! She also talks about her family and how she raised 6 children with her husband, while still keeping fit and working as a surgeon. Sometimes she would even go back to the lab after her children had gone to bed. A truely wonderful read about a remarkable woman who was both ordinary and developed a great understanding of her patients, but at the same time so clever, unorthodox and hard working.

[Sharon Taylor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Professor Wood is an amazing woman. She is a National Treasure, was Australia’s most trusted person for six years, and was Australian of the year.
Her professional achievements are outstanding but more than that, her values and attributes in her day to day work of being a doctor put her in a league of her own. She also has a strong, grounded, and loving family life.
She is truly an inspiration to all young women and girls - as well as young men and boys - that when you have a dream and a passion, you can be your best and make a difference.
This book was interesting from start to finish. It is always interesting to read about how people started out when they were young and what drove them to become so successful.

[Prabin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating’s for Dr Wood for her sheer determination and contribution to humanity. People like Dr Wood is rare and we are lucky to have her. Thank you for putting Perth in forefront, her amazing service juggling while raising six children. That shows commitment and passion to never settle in for the second best.

Here is constructive criticism on some context though. I find some illogical reference to terrorist activities to set the tone for Bali bombing’s whilst there are already many books on that . This book would be much more better had it had more coverage on Red cell kit why wider international community didn’t accept it and why now that is a revelation.
Superb read about a living legend. Highly recommended.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating biography of a truly inspirational and groundbreaking woman, Professor Fiona Wood AM who, despite the odds of being born a Yorkshire coal miner’s daughter and the barriers placed in her way as a married woman with children, went on to become a world-renowned plastic surgeon specialising in burns. What a pocket dynamo she was, and continues to be, even though now in her sixties with grandchildren. This book gives excellent insight into not only her early life as a driven school girl but into her world as the mother of six children, as well as her incredibly demanding career as a leading surgeon and reearcher. How she managed to juggle all those balls without dropping them is indeed a remarkable story. The world needs more Fiona Woods.

[Sandy Saunders · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fiona Wood is a legend and an inspiration. Not only was she the first female plastic surgeon to ever gain a position in a hospital in Western Australia, she went on to prove that she was more than worthy for the role. Her ability to see a vision of what needed to be changed for the patients benefit was incredible during the aftermath of the Bali Bombings.
The book is so enthralling and easy to read - it flows like a silken scarf - that it kept me interested until the last page. She made me proud to be a West Aussie.

[Suzanne Fawcus · Rating 4 out of 5]

What an amazing person! If I could have just a fraction of her drive, ambition, tenacity and curiosity. The book recounts Fiona’s achievements and challenges which I was looking forward to reading and I wasn’t disappointed. However, I was somewhat confused at the mention of a few other world terrorist events, thinking Fiona’s work was in some way connected but it wasn’t…I think it was a ruse to keep us aware of her impending link with the tragic Bali Bombings. The world of Burns research & treatments will be forever indebted to Fiona Woods & her team - learned so much from this book

[Jane Stewart · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fiona Wood is an amazing person and a National Living Treasure. I wanted to know why and how she did it. The why was addressed, but the how was left lacking. The book is a series of patient profiles and statements around the fact that they were treated by Fiona, and very thankful. Not a lot of emotion or background information, and very little explanation of the science. I was also keen to hear how she managed 6 children as well but this, too was not considered. Hopefully another book is in the offing.

[Chris Morrow · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating story of Fiona Wood. Certainly a tall poppy but she deserves to give her view of her life and various controversies that have surrounded her. I found the book in my appartment lobby and gobbled it up in the next 24 hours. Sue Williams has a lovely style - I am sick of the American bios that describe how the author visited this famous person and then that.
Fiona deserves all the acolades she has got. Most of the controversies were from medicines transition to being Evidence based (see Trick or Treatment by Edzard Ernst and Simon Singh).

[Lea M · Rating 5 out of 5]

I gulped this amazing story down in one marathon read!

Well done Sue Williams for capturing the life path and achievements of the extraordinaire of Fiona Wood, National Australian Living Treasure, inventor, leader, and driver of so much of the research and clinical advances in treating burns.
Fiona's story is inspirational, heartening and uplifting. I feel like I, too, can dare to dream. Good on youFiona!

[Rhiannon Joyce · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started reading this book poolside over the new year break and it couldn’t have come at a better time - I love starting the year by consuming motivational and inspiring content and Fiona Wood’s story is nothing short of incredible. I was teary quite a few times while reading and was genuinely in awe of her ambition and work ethic. I loved this book and think it’s the perfect read for someone looking for inspiration to live a full and happy life.

[Teodora · Rating 2 out of 5]

Fiona Wood is an incredible lady but if you need to say it in every second chapter it starts to get a little tired and boring. She is incredible, her story is too, the writing underwhelming. If the book was cut in half at the minimum it would have been so much more engaging and interesting.
I did learn some first aid about burns, take the clothes off!!! Don’t leave them on and cold water but not ice for the next 20mins! Best thing you can do.

[Shelley Luxton · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book covers the achievements of a remarkable woman. It does become a bit repetitive in terms of describing her abundant energy, enthusiasm and empathy. But the innovations and new approaches she pursued, and the opportunities to explore burns treatment- notably with Bali bombing survivors- are inspiring.

[Jake O’Brien · Rating 5 out of 5]

A truly incredible human, proving there are no limits to your life’s dreams and aspirations. Fiona continues to inspire generations beyond her wildest dreams. Her desire to always continue progressing further and never giving up has shown just how successful you can be if you only believe in making tomorrow better.

[Phebs Cinnabon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic book written about a fantastic woman, was so intrigued by her story I read her biography in a day. I knew about Fiona Wood, but had no idea before reading this book just how much she had gone through… the politics, misogyny, and more… congrats Fiona for all your incredible achievements as a surgeon, researcher, and mum!

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

The subject of this biography sounds great but the book was not an easy read. Repetitive and rather disjointed. I would have liked more detail about the processes she developed rather than the individual cases that my grab attention such as the Bali cases where we get biographies of patients rather than Fiona Woods. Maybe cutting 100 pages would not have hurt.

[Suz Bennett]

Amazing woman that I enjoyed reading about. Mostly. Some of the stories of burns were horribly detailed especially the Bali bombings. Perhaps there was no need to describe so many?
It made me hope me and my loved ones never have to go survive a burns accident.
You really have to admire the woman and her energy.

[Anka · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think I wanted more. Yes she is remarkable which is why I wanted to read about her. There was very little background on how she achieved her success. 6 children to care for, a high pressure job, who were the people in the background who were supporting her to make all this possible. A very narrow view when I wanted more.

[Bree · Rating 4 out of 5]

When intellect, meets passion, opportunity and perseverance you get a national living treasure. A very impressive woman whose made a profound difference to the lives of so many. Fiona will leave an incredible legacy in the field of burns management.

[Stephanie Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dr Fiona Wood is amazing and there are some incredible stories detailing her work and other achievements. I found the writing a bit dry and various descriptions read like platitudes. Worth reading to know more about Fiona’s journey.