David has extensive experience in skin cancer and an exquisite ability to detect the earliest signs of skin cancer. This means that you can often avoid the need for invasive surgical treatments. He is also a proponent of treating early, pre-cancerous changes to stop lesions from progressing to skin cancers.
He has considerable surgical experience, successfully performing surgery on over 10,000 skin cancers as well as countless minimally invasive procedures. He has worked in dermatology for over ten years and on Auckland’s North Shore for five years. Dr David Lim has an extremely low incomplete excision rate, meaning that you are far less likely to need to return for repeated surgeries on the same skin cancer. He delivers very good cosmetic results following surgery with high satisfaction amongst patients who continue to return for regular checkups.
Dr. David Lim’s Background
David grew up in Christchurch and obtained his primary medical degree from the University of Otago. He then undertook his postgraduate physician training in the Manawatu and Waikato regions, gaining a range of experience in a number of specialities including Cardiology (heart), Oncology (cancer), Renal (kidneys) and Emergency Medicine. His experience in Palliative Care helped him to develop his interaction with patients and to keep the focus on the patient as a whole rather than just the disease.
After successfully completing the RACP physician exams, David undertook speciality training in Dermatology. This was initially undertaken in Hamilton and Auckland where he gained a wealth of experience in a range of dermatologic conditions. He then spent time in London undertaking a general dermatology fellowship gaining experience from a number of specialised clinics at Chelsea & Westminster Hospital and St John’s Institute of Dermatology. During his time in London, he gave a number of talks at St John’s and the Royal Society of Medicine.
David then completed a subspecialty Mohs Surgery & Laser fellowship at Oxford Day Surgery in Perth, Australia. He has also travelled the world gaining experience from a number of world-renowned surgeons including at Mt Sinai Hospital, New York; St John’s Institute of Dermatology, London; as well as in Vancouver and California.
His special interests include skin cancer including complex skin cancer surgery and reconstruction of the face utilising Mohs micrographic surgery. He has presented at national and international conferences on a number of occasions and is a published author and reviewer for speciality journals in dermatology and surgery.
A fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP), Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD), New Zealand Dermatologic Society Incorporated (NZDSI) and the American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS). He is an ACD-approved Mohs specialist and an NZDSI-approved Mohs surgeon.
What do these endorsements and qualifications mean?
David is a specialist dermatologist and Mohs Surgeon registered with the Medical Council of New Zealand (MCNZ) and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Authority (AHPRA).
- The MCNZ and AHPRA are the regulatory bodies for doctors in New Zealand and Australia respectively.
- A dermatologist is a doctor who has undergone extensive training on diseases of the skin, hair and nails over several years.
- The New Zealand Dermatological Society Incorporated (NZDSI) is the professional society for specialist dermatologists in New Zealand. All practicing dermatologists are required to be members of this society in New Zealand.
- The American College of Mohs Surgery (ACMS) is the peak professional body for Mohs surgeons internationally. David undertook ACMS accredited Mohs fellowship training and subsequently became a Fellow of the ACMS.
- The Australasian College of Dermatologists (ACD) is the professional society for specialist dermatologists in Australia. David was granted Fellow status with the ACD following their rigorous vetting process and examination.
- The Royal Australian College of Physicians (RACP) is the training organisation for Physicians in New Zealand and Australia. In New Zealand doctors are required to undergo general physician training in a hospital, prior to specialising in dermatology.