Biography

Specialist Neurosurgeon

Dr. Chris Donaldson is an Australian-trained neurosurgeon specialising in epilepsy surgery, functional neurosurgery, and minimally invasive surgical techniques. He currently serves as a consultant neurosurgeon at Flinders Medical Centre and the Women's and Children's Hospital in South Australia.

Areas of Expertise

Cranial

Following his neurosurgical training, Dr Donaldson undertook an advanced fellowship at Stanford University, focusing on neurosurgical innovation and advanced operative techniques. His practice includes a particular interest in:

  • Epilepsy surgery

  • Functional neurosurgery for movement disorders

  • Minimally invasive cranial neurosurgery

  • Brain mapping

  • Brain tumour surgery

  • Open and minimally invasive surgery for facial pain

Spinal

Dr Donaldson previously practiced at the Austin and Alfred Hospitals in Melbourne, Victoria—the state’s two designated spinal trauma centres. During this time, he gained extensive experience in the management of complex spinal conditions, including:

  • Spinal tumours

  • Trauma resulting in spinal cord and nerve injuries

  • Degenerative disorders and disc disease

  • Motion preservation

Peripheral Nerve

Dr Donaldson has extensive experience managing a wide range of peripheral nerve conditions, from common compression and entrapment issues to more complex nerve tumours. He utilises state-of-the-art intraoperative neuromonitoring to track nerve function in real-time, ensuring the highest level of precision during surgery.

Education & Training

Dr. Donaldson's extensive educational background includes:

  • Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Science (BSc BioMed), University of Adelaide

  • Bachelor of Health Science with Honours (BHSci Hons), University of Adelaide

  • Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (BMBS), Flinders University

  • Fellow of the Royal Australian College of Surgeons (FRACS)

  • Fellow of the Neurosurgical Society of Australasia (FNNSA)

  • Fellowship in Stereotactic, Functional and Epilepsy Surgery at Stanford University

He completed his comprehensive neurosurgical training in Adelaide and Melbourne, Australia, developing expertise across the full spectrum of neurosurgical care.

Research

Dr. Donaldson has published extensively across the neurosurgical spectrum. View his full list of contributions and academic works on his ORCID page here.

In 2025, he was awarded the Dinning Memorial Neurosurgical Scholarship.

Appointments

Hospital Appointments

Dr. Donaldson currently practices at:

  • Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia

  • Women's and Children's Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia

  • Memorial Hospital, North Adelaide, South Australia

Board Appointments

Dr. Donaldson currently serves on the following board:

Medical professional in surgical gown, mask, and cap operating robotic surgical equipment in an operating room.