Our Specialists

Mr Ralph Van Dalen

MBChB (Otago 1985) FRACS (1995)

Trained in Dunedin and completed surgical training in Christchurch. Spent 3 years in England to further colorectal training. Worked in Waikato since 2001 as general and colorectal surgeon. Currently involved in implementation of bowel screening programme for the Waikato region.

Current Practice:

  • Laparoscopic Cholecystectomy, Laparoscopic Hernia repair
  • Laparoscopic colon and rectal surgery,
  • Pelvic floor surgery for incontinence and emptying difficulties
  • Haemorrhoids –  latest ligasure banding treatment,   excisions
  • Anal skin tag excisions,  pilonidal surgery, fistula and fissure surgeries
  • Endoscopy :   Colonoscopy, Gastroscopy and Flexible Sigmoidoscopy 

Mr Damien Ah Yen

MBChB (Otago 2005) FRACS (2015)

I am a New Zealand trained General Surgeon who grew up in Samoa and moved to New Zealand for medical training. It was during my return to Samoa for my internship that I discovered General Surgery to be my calling, in observing that the skills to this art is a combination of compassion, professionalism, knowledge and technical excellence. My fellowship training in General Surgery took me on a journey around our beautiful country for a number of years. After completion of my fellowship, I spent a further two years of post-fellowship training in the Waikato Public Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital to further specialise in trauma care. In addition, I was able to further develop my elective passions which include an interest in abdominal wall hernias and colorectal surgery, specifically colonic diseases and proctology. I returned to Hamilton in the beginning of 2018 with my young family to take up a consultant general surgeon position at the Waikato Public Hospital.

Current Practice:

  • Laparoscopic colon, hernia and gallbladder surgery
  • Anorectal disease including haemorrhoids, fissures and fistula
  • Pilonidal disease surgery, skin tags
  • Gastroscopy, Flexible Sigmoidoscopy,  and Colonoscopy

Minor surgery including skin lesions, lumps and bumps

Mr Nicholas Smith

MBChB (Otago 2007) FRACS (2016)

Nick is a Colorectal and General surgeon based in Waikato. After studying medicine in Otago he completed his training in General Surgery in 2016. Nick then embarked on three years of subspecialty training in Colorectal Surgery – first in Waikato (2017) followed by time in Melbourne (2018) and Christchurch (2019) as part of the Australia and New Zealand Training Board in Colon and Rectal Surgery programme (CSSANZ).

In 2021 he gained further experience in Brisbane working as a consultant Colorectal surgeon at the Royal Brisbane and STARS hospitals. Nick maintains a broad practice of General and Colorectal surgery but has a strong focus on minimally invasive surgery (keyhole). He is a faculty member on several courses run by the Australasian College of Surgeons and is a Consultant General and Colorectal surgeon at Waikato Hospital.

Current Practice:

  • Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
  • Anorectal conditions (rectal bleeding, haemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures, AIN, pilonidal)
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction (including rectal prolapse, obstructive defaecation)
  • Treatment of faecal incontinence including Sacral Nerve Stimulation
  • Trans-Anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS)
  • Diverticular disease
  • Hernia repair (Laparoscopic and open)
  • Gallstones

Mr Jesse Fischer

MBChB (Otago 2008) MMedSc (Otago 2020) FRACS (2017)

Jesse completed his medical degree at the University of Otago before undertaking general surgical training around New Zealand. After attaining FRACS in general surgery he subsequently completed three years of sub-specialty training in colorectal surgery on the Australia and New Zealand Training Board in the Colon and Rectal Surgery programme. During this time he received the CSSANZ Phil Douglas Award for best paper by a colorectal fellow, completed a research thesis on the management of rectal cancer, gained experience in peritonectomy and HIPEC at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Adelaide and exposure to pelvic exenteration surgery at the North Shore Hospital in Auckland. He maintains a broad colorectal surgical practice with abdominal operations performed laparoscopically by default when appropriate.

At Waikato Hospital Jesse manages acute (emergency) general surgical conditions as well performing elective (planned) surgery with a focus on colorectal disorders. He is heavily involved in medical student education and co-ordinates the trainee intern attachment in general surgery. He lives in Matangi with his wife Andrea and 3 daughters.

Current Practice:

  • Colonoscopy and Gastroscopy
  • Colorectal cancer
  • Surgery for inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
  • Anorectal conditions (rectal bleeding, haemorrhoids, fistulas, fissures, AIN, pilonidal)
  • Pelvic floor dysfunction (including rectal prolapse, obstructive defaecation)
  • Treatment of faecal incontinence including work-up for Sacral Nerve Stimulation
  • Trans-Anal Minimally Invasive Surgery (TAMIS)
  • Diverticular disease
  • Hernia repair (Laparoscopic and open)
  • Gallstones