Professor Carmichael is significantly qualified and has had further training in leading institutions, including a number of London teaching hospitals and the Edinburgh Breast Unit. After qualifying with an MBBS in 1987 from the University of Punjab, with gold medals in academic achievements, Professor Carmichael completed her surgical training and also has PGCert and M.Ed. qualifications with distinction.

Professor Carmichael looks after more than 100 screen-detected and symptomatic cancers on a yearly basis. She is also actively involved in breast cancer research and teaching, with time spent training undergraduate students in the management of breast disease.