Brought up on a farm in Taupō, Lincoln Israel went to Auckland Medical School and qualified with MB ChB in 1993. He trained in general surgery throughout New Zealand and gained General Surgical Fellowship in 2002.

Following this he also completed the post fellowship training programme in Colorectal Surgery of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons at Auckland Hospital and the Royal Melbourne Hospital. Here he gained added experience in laparoscopic colorectal procedures, along with management of colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease and pelvic floor disorders. 

Lincoln also works at Middlemore Hospital where he manages a wide range of acute and elective general surgical conditions including trauma, hernia and gallbladder surgery. His main interest remains colorectal surgery.

Lincoln is a member of the Colorectal Surgical Society of Australasia.