Mr Bunton has been head of department since 1995. He has also served as chief medical officer and as medical director of patient services.
He led the clinical establishment of the public cardiothoracic unit in Christchurch.
He led a surgical team into Xian, China, to teach cardiothoracic surgery for four years. He served the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons as an examiner and as board member, deputy chairman and chairman of the board of cardiothoracic surgery.
He is an independent medical adviser to both the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) and the Health and Disability Commissioner — Te Toihau Hauora (HDC).
Mr Bunton, as chairman of the Dunedin Basic Medical Sciences Trust, convenes two residential courses, one to prepare trainee surgeons for their first major exam and the other for advanced trainees in cardiothoracic surgery.
