Education

Surgeon. Educator. Podcast host. Author. Dr Nikolic’s work extends well beyond the operating theatre.

University Educator

First Incision — Surgical Education Podcast

First Incision is a surgical education podcast created and hosted by Dr Amanda Nikolic. Designed primarily for surgeons and trainees preparing for fellowship exams, it has grown into one of the most listened-to surgical education podcasts in Australia and New Zealand — with more than half a million listens from doctors and trainees around the world.

Each episode covers a focused topic from the general surgery, surgery curriculum, featuring expert guests and practical, exam-relevant discussion. Listeners have tuned in from every state in Australia and from countries including the UK, the US, New Zealand, South Africa, Canada and Zimbabwe.

Note: First Incision is a professional education resource intended for medical professionals and trainees. It is not designed as patient advice. For patient-friendly information about conditions and procedures, visit the Patient Information page.

First Incision is available on all major podcast platforms.

Podcast Episodes

Small Bowel Tumours with Tamara Vu

Chest Trauma with James McKay

Familial Cancer Syndromes with Chris Wakeman

Malignant Colorectal Polyps with Henry Drysdale

General Surgery SET Interview — Preparation Guide

Dr Nikolic is the author of a widely used preparation guide for the General Surgery Surgical Education and Training (SET) interview — the competitive selection process for Australia’s surgical training program.

The book provides structured guidance on interview preparation, including clinical scenarios, portfolio presentation and communication frameworks. It is used by medical graduates and surgical trainees across Australia and New Zealand.

Guest Appearances & Interviews

In addition to hosting First Incision, Dr Nikolic has appeared as a guest on a number of podcasts and media interviews, discussing her career, surgical training and life as a surgeon.

RACS Post Op Podcast

The Time Out Podcast - Road to Surgery Series

Australian Doctor

Fiona Stanley Hospital

PerthNow

Speaking & Awards

Dr Nikolic is an active contributor to the surgical education and research community. She has presented at national and international surgical conferences and has been recognised with a number of awards for her research, teaching and contribution to surgical training.

Presentations

‘SynOPsys-CRC: Development of ANZ Colorectal Cancer Synoptic Operation Reports’ — Podium presentation, RACS Annual Scientific Congress, Christchurch (2024)

‘The Impact of COVID-19 on General Surgical Trainees’ Surgical Exposure in Australia’ — Podium presentation, RACS Annual Scientific Congress, Adelaide (2023)

‘The Utility of Synoptic Operation Reports in Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review’ — Poster presentation, Colorectal Spring Meeting, Gold Coast (2024)

‘SynOPsys-CRC: Development of ANZ Colorectal Cancer Synoptic Operation Reports’. Podium presentation at the RACS ASC, Christchurch. (2024)

‘The Impact of COVID-19 on General Surgical Trainees’ Surgical Exposure in Australia’. Podium presentation at the RACS ASC, Adelaide. (2023)

‘The Utility of Synoptic Operation Reports in Colorectal Surgery: A Systematic Review’. Poster presentation at the Colorectal Spring Meeting, Gold Coast.

‘Impact of Perioperative Probiotics or Synbiotics on Postoperative Infections After Major Foregut Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis’. Podium presentation at the November Annual Academic Surgery Conference. (2022)

‘The Use of Communication Applications in the Australian Health Care System’. Podium presentation at ‘Epworth Research Week’. (2018)

‘A Systematic Review of Stenting for Bowel Obstruction for Extracolonic Malignancies – A Data Deficit?’. Podium presentation at ‘Epworth Research Week’.

‘How to Insert an Internal Seton for Supralevator Sepsis: an Effective Technique for Complex Fistulae’. Poster presentation at the ‘Alpine Colorectal Meeting: Switzerland’. ‘Early Closure of Ileostomy Post Rectal Resection – An Australian Experience’. Poster presentation at the ‘Alpine Colorectal Meeting: Switzerland’.

‘Decreased Complications Rates with Early Closure of Ileostomy Post Rectal Resection’ Podium presentation at the ‘General Surgeon’s Australia Annual General Meeting’ (2016)

‘Stress Management and Schizophrenia’. Poster presentation at Monash University’s Research Week (2011)

Awards

2025

RACS Queensland Younger Fellows Grant — to support the Robotic and Advanced Colorectal Cancer Fellowship, Nottingham, UK

2023

CSSANZ Foundation Award for Most Promising First Year ANZTBCRS Fellow’s Research Project

2022

John Corboy Medal — RACS, for exceptional service and dedication by a surgical trainee

2021

Herbert and Gloria Kees Research Scholarship — RACS

Get in Touch

Whether you’re a patient, a referrer or a fellow clinician, Dr Nikolic welcomes enquiries.