Dr Tad Gunkelman grew up a farmer’s son in the American state of North Dakota. He completed his first undergraduate degree in Molecular Biology / Biochemistry in 1997.

Dr Gunkelman migrated to Wall Street during the “dotcom boom” where he worked for Lehman Brothers in Healthcare Investment Banking between New York and San Francisco. He was offered a position in London, but sometime while crewing on the transatlantic delivery of a 57’ yacht to the Mediterranean, had a change of heart and decided to return to his life sciences roots.

He was accepted to the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2002 and completed his medical qualification in 2007. Dr Gunkelman then undertook Basic Surgical Training in Dublin hospitals between 2007- 2009, ultimately migrating to Sydney in 2010.

After receiving Australian citizenship in 2013, he completed the Australian Orthopaedic Association’s Surgical Education and Training program and was admitted to Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Orthopaedic Surgery in February 2019. Dr Gunkelman undertook further subspecialty training in Lower Limb Reconstruction.

Dr Tad Gunkelman currently resides in Austinmer with his wife and four children and has rooms located in Thirroul. He provides both elective and urgent care for musculoskeletal trauma and orthopaedic pathology.

Special Interests

• Primary Hip & Knee Arthroplasty
• Partial Knee Arthroplasty
• Computer-assisted Navigation
• Patient-specific Implants
• Robotic Surgery

Philosophy of care:

Surgery is a crucial undertaking and the beginning of a custodial relationship between practitioner and patient. I believe thorough education, open communication and accessibility are key to shaping a patient’s expectations regarding their condition. If surgery is truly the best option, I commit to tailoring my surgical approach and implant choice to each individual’s specific anatomy and lifestyle demands. Finally, I am committed to providing patients the best possible outcome which is ensured through ongoing research and collaboration with other Australian leaders in Orthopaedics.