Dr Akbar Ashrafi
Urological Surgeon. Specialist in Robotic Surgery, Minimally Invasive Surgery and Uro-oncology.
Bachelor of Human Biology (BHB), Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB), Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS Urology), Fellowship in Advanced Robotic Surgery and Urologic Oncology (USC Institute of Urology)
A/Prof Akbar Ashrafi
Urological and Robotic Surgeon
BHB, MB ChB, FRACS (Urol.)
Dr Akbar Ashrafi is an internationally recognised, Australian-trained and United States fellowship-trained urological surgeon and robotic surgeon treating general adult urological conditions. He specialises in robotic surgery and minimally invasive surgery to treat a wide range of adult urological conditions, with a particular focus on prostate health, including prostate cancer, benign prostate enlargement (BPH), and elevated PSA.
Qualifications and Training
Dr Akbar Ashrafi graduated from the University of Auckland Medical School with a Bachelor of Human Biology (Senior Scholar Award) and a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MB ChB). During his studies, he was awarded the Worshipful Company of Barber Surgeons Scholarship to undertake his final year elective at Oxford Medical School.
He completed his Internship and Basic Surgical Training at the Royal Melbourne Hospital, where he was nominated for Victorian Junior Doctor of the Year and became a national finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship to the University of Oxford. Following this, he undertook six years of Advanced Surgical Training in Urology, graduating as a Fellow of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (FRACS).
Dr Ashrafi's commitment to delivering world-class, cutting-edge care led him to pursue further fellowship training and sub-specialty expertise. He completed a 12-month Australian Fellowship at St George Hospital in Sydney. He then successfully passed all four United States Medical Licensing Examinations (USMLE) and obtained ECFMG certification, qualifying him to practise as a urologist in the United States.
Dr Ashrafi is among a select group of Australian urologists to have undertaken a fully dedicated international fellowship in Robotic Surgery and Urologic Oncology. He trained at the prestigious University of Southern California (USC) Institute of Urology in Los Angeles, completing three years of advanced subspecialty training under the mentorship of world leaders in robotic surgery and urologic oncology, including the distinguished pioneer, Dr Inderbir Gill. During this time, he also served as an Assistant Professor of Clinical Urology at USC.
During his fellowship, he was the recipient of several significant scholarships and grants, including the Australasian Urological Foundation Scholarship, Paul Mackay Bolton Scholarship for Cancer Research, Ian and Ruth Gough Surgical Education Scholarship, and the Medtronic Travelling Fellowship Grant.
In recognition of his leadership, clinical and academic contributions, Dr Ashrafi graduated from the prestigious Harvard Medical School Surgical Leadership Program.
Dr Ashrafi is the only U.S. fellowship-trained robotic surgeon practising in South Australia. In addition to his private practice, he holds permanent public appointments at Lyell McEwin Hospital and Modbury Hospital, where he contributes his expertise in urological care, education, training and research.
Specialist Services
Dr Ashrafi has particular expertise and passion for the treatment of patients with prostate cancer and benign prostate conditions (prostate health).
Dr Ashrafi has a sub-specialty clinical expertise in managing bladder, kidney, and testicular cancers.
Dr Ashrafi is a specialist in minimally invasive surgery and robotic surgery, which allows him to perform complex operations through small incisions with the use of a sophisticated robotic-assisted system, resulting in less post-operative pain, shorter hospital stays, faster recovery times, and earlier return to daily activities.
Dr Ashrafi manages a wide range of adult urological conditions, including elevated PSA, benign prostate enlargement, kidney stones, haematuria (blood in the urine), and kidney lesions.
Education and Research
Education and research are central to Dr Ashrafi’s practice. He has authored more than 50 peer-reviewed journal articles and over 150 conference presentations and abstracts, with his work featured at leading international meetings including the North American Robotic Urology Symposium (NARUS), Society of Urologic Oncology (SUO), American Urological Association (AUA), European Association of Urology (EAU), World Congress of Endourology (WCE), and the Société Internationale d’Urologie (SIU).
Dr Ashrafi has contributed book chapters on advanced robotic surgery and urologic cancer management techniques, and serves as a peer reviewer for several international journals. His commitment to academic excellence has been recognised through multiple research grants, scholarships, and awards.
As a proctor and educator in robotic surgery, he trains and mentors fellow urologists in adopting robotic surgery into their practice.
He holds Adjunct Clinical Associate Professorships at the University of South Australia and the University of Notre Dame Australia, and is a Senior Clinical Lecturer with both the University of Adelaide and Flinders University.
Dedicated to teaching the next generation of doctors, Dr Ashrafi is actively involved in the education of medical students, junior doctors, nursing staff, and future urological surgeons. He also serves as a supervisor of Royal Australasian College of Surgeons–accredited trainees at the Northern Adelaide Local Health Network (NALHN) Urology Unit.
A summary of Dr Ashrafi’s publications can be found here.
Values
Dr Ashrafi is passionate about providing the best possible evidence-based and patient-centred care throughout the healthcare journey. Dr Ashrafi believes that every patient is unique and deserves an individualised treatment plan. His patients are central to the decision-making process in determining the best treatment plan. Once an informed treatment decision is made, Dr Ashrafi is committed to delivering the treatment plan with the utmost care, precision, and technical expertise.
Affiliations and Memberships
Dr Ashrafi is a member of multiple professional societies and organizations including:
Other Interests
Outside of work, Dr Ashrafi enjoys spending time with his family and pursuing his interests which include travel and sport.
Contact Us
Phone: (08) 8119 0961
Email: admin@adelaideurologycare.com
“Each patient is unique. My goal is to understand you and your condition, and partner with you to deliver a personalised treatment plan with utmost care, precision, and expertise.”
DR AKBAR ASHRAFI
ADELAIDE UROLOGIST AND ROBOTIC SURGEON