Samantha finished school at age 16 years and commenced studying medicine at The University of Adelaide. Driven to take on challenges, she became the first woman in South Australia to complete the adult Urological Surgical training program despite physical limitations from congenital hip dysplasia. Whilst training in urology, Samantha saw a need for a greater focus on incontinence treatments for women and a need for specialised care. Her vision was to establish a sub-specialty practice, bringing the best treatments available to the women of South Australia. She became the first urologist in South Australia to exclusively specialise in female and functional urology, establishing Continence Matters in 2002 and subsequently building her single surgeon practice into a Centre of Excellence. Dr Pillay has served on numerous National and State boards and committees, including the Chair of the Female Urology Special Advisory Group for the Urological Society of Australia and New Zealand from 2007 to 2013. Samantha has devoted her career as a surgeon to treating incontinence, reducing the stigma, and educating doctors, health professionals and the community. She is a single mother and full-time practicing surgeon, running a business and a household, who enjoys writing in her spare time. She is a self-published author of The No Recipe Cookbook - a cookbook for people who don't cook and The Inspirational Careers for Kids Picture Book Series. She was a 2022 finalist for SA Australian of the Year and a 2023 finalist for the Telstra Business Awards.
