Anita Bourke

Medicine, Class of 1980

Dr Anita Bourke is a Clinical Associate Professor in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences University of Western Australia.

She was the first dual-trained nuclear physician and senior breast radiologist in Western Australia and currently is the Senior Breast Radiologist at Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, Perth as well as BreastScreenWA Radiologist.

Along with her clinical interests, Dr Bourke’s research includes breast cancer. She is a Principal Investigator (SCGH) in the largest multicentre, randomised controlled trial evaluating radio-guided occult lesion localisation using low dose I-125 seeds (ROLLIS) to localise impalpable breast cancers in an attempt to reduce re-excision rates. She has also collaborated with UWA Optical and Biomedical Engineering Laboratory evaluating OCT-Ultrasound.

Dr Bourke holds multiple fellowships, FFR (RCSI), FRANZCR and FAANMS. She is a member of the WACOG Breast Collaborative, Breast Interest Group RANZCR, MR Breast Interest Group and was involved in WA Cancer Workforce Planning. She is an examiner for the Royal Australasian College of Radiologists, an accreditor for Breast Screen Australia and has published numerous peer reviewed papers.

She completed a BA, majoring in French and Italian at UWA (2017), is a member of Dalkeith Rotary Club and is helping to set up the Nokor Tep Women’s Hospital in Cambodia.

In her spare time, she plays the harp, belongs to a book club, cooks and enjoys gardening.

Dr Bourke lives in Perth, with her husband of 37 years and fellow RCSI graduate, Class of 1978, Dr John Bourke. They have three adult sons and one grandson.