Dr. Valerie Surtees graduated from the University of Manchester, UK. In 1969 she was awarded a First Class Honours BSc and the Dickenson Prize for Anatomy. In 1972 Valerie graduated with an Honours degree in Medicine, with the Selwyn Silver Prize for coming first in that year.

After migrating to Australia she commenced a postdoctoral degree in 1974 in the University of Melbourne, Department of Pathology. The prestigious award of a NH&MRC scholarship to study the effects of high blood pressure on microvasculature complemented this. A PhD was awarded for the thesis in 1979. Valerie commenced diagnostic histopathology as a honorary fellow at the Royal Melbourne Hospital from 1974-77, and also tutored medical students and scientists in this time. During 1977-80 Valerie worked as a registrar in Anatomical Pathology at Queen Victoria and the Royal Melbourne Hospitals. In 1981-82 she lectured at the University of Southhamptom, UK, followed by seven years as a Senior Lecturer in Pathology at RMIT University. From 1989-99 Valerie was the Principal Specialist in Cytopathology at Victorian Cytology Service before joining Dorevitch Pathology in 2000 as Head of Cytopathology. Valerie is currently an adjunct Professsor at RMIT University and Senior Associate at Melbourne University.

Valerie's major expertise and areas of interest are in gynaecological cytopathology, with a strong interest in non-gynaecological/FNA cytology, in particular the challenge of developing efficient protocols for quality control and continuing education.

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