Dr Marc Coughlan
MBChB, FCS(SA), FRACS
Neurosurgeon & Spine Surgeon
Dr Marc Coughlan obtained his medical degree from the University of Cape Town, South Africa in 1996.
Following which, he undertook his Internship at Edendale Hospital, Kwazulu Natal, South Africa in 1997. After completing his internship, Marc undertook Neurosurgical training in Cape Town and in 2003 received his Neurosurgical Fellowship in South Africa.
During that time, Marc was fortunate enough to spend eleven years at the renown Groote Schuur Hospital, where Christian Barnard did the world’s first heart-transplant. Whilst training in South Africa, he gained extensive experience in Craniocerebral and Spinal Trauma, Paediatric Neurosurgery and Neuroendoscopic Techniques.
In 2004, Marc was fortunate enough to visit Sydney, Australia to undertake a surgical training Fellowship in Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery with world renowned Neurosurgeon, Dr Charles Teo, honing his operative skills in surgical techniques and gaining invaluable experience; particularly in Neuro-oncology.
In 2005, Marc obtained Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS) as a Neurosurgeon and has been practicing in Australia ever since.
Marc is a part of the Executive Committee of the Spine Society of Australia, which is Australia’s peak organisation for medical professionals specialising in spine surgery, care and research.
Special Interests
- Motion preservation techniques and technologies, artificial discs, dynamic stabilisation, interbody fusion surgery, and other procedures involving minimally invasive approaches to spinal surgery.
Key Operative Experience
- Cervical myelopathy
- Degenerative disc disease
- Spondylolisthesis
- Peripheral nerve conditions creating numbness or pain (including carpal tunnel surgery)
- Spinal tumours
- Spinal trauma
- Neuroendoscopy
- Brain tumours
Qualifications
- Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (2005)
- Fellow of the College of Surgeons of South Africa (2003)
- Bachelor of Medicine & Bachelor of Surgery (MBChB), University of Cape Town
Sub-Specialised Fellowship Training
- Minimally Invasive Neurosurgery (Sydney, 2004)
Memberships
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS)
- Spine Society of Australia (SSA)
- Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (NSA)
Experience In Numbers
2,000+ spine surgeries using the anterior (front) approach – one of the largest of any neurosurgeons in Australia.
Anterior spine surgery offers benefits such as less muscle dissection, reduced pain, and shorter recovery times compared to posterior (rear) approaches.
Volunteer Work
PNG Angels – Founder, Director, Board Member and Volunteer Neurosurgeon
Hospital Accreditations
Consulting Locations
Volunteer Work
PNG Angels is an Australian registered charity that sends volunteer medical teams to Papua New Guinea to conduct life-saving surgeries.
PNG Angels was founded in 2020 by leading neurosurgeon, Dr Marc Coughlan. Since inception, our team has been supporting the establishment of a sustainable neurosurgical capability in PNG.
A reputation built on clinical excellence, patient safety & a focus on pain reduction.
Our team are trusted by general practitioners, specialists, and patients alike for our commitment to excellence, honesty in communication, and consistent surgical outcomes for patients from across the Central Coast and surrounding regions.
Expert Neurosurgical and Spinal Surgical Care on the Central Coast
Coastal Neurosurgery is a multidisciplinary clinic with a dedicated focus on brain, spine and pain.
