Over a career that spanned more than 40 years, Dr Lena McEwan was a woman ahead of her time. Born and raised in South Australia, she graduated with honours from the University of Adelaide in 1949 and started her medical career at the Royal Adelaide Hospital. Her extensive surgical training included time in the UK before returning to Australia to become Australia’s first female Plastic Surgeon. She left an enduring legacy at the Queen Victoria Memorial Hospital and the Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre. Dr McEwan made significant contributions to the surgical field. As a trainee she advocated for primary nerve repairs at a time when many surgeons favoured a delayed repair. Notably she contributed to the field of transexualism as a leading author describing the male-to female gender reassignment technique. Beyond the operating theatre and the academic field, Dr McEwan was recognised for her leadership and was invited as a founding member of the Australian Society of Plastic Surgeons and council member of the Victorian Branch of the Australian Medical Association. Her advocacy and support of women in surgery was reflected in her roles as a Councillor of the Australian Federation of Medical Women and as President of the Victorian Medical Women’s Association. She was also the Secretary-General of the Organising Committee of the 12th International Medical Women’s Congress in 1970. Dr Mc Ewan died in 1992 from ovarian cancer and she remains as an inspiration to future generations.