TOWNSVILLE BUSINESSPEOPLE YOU SHOULD KNOW
DR PRAVEEN KUMAR (DR PK) You may have already heard of Dr Praveen Kumar (Dr PK as he’s known by his patients), who has been in the news for spending $520,000 of his own money to open an Australian-first privately funded free indigenous health centre. Based in Kirwan, the My Family Doctors – Indigenous Health Wing caters for the indigenous community and Pacific Islanders. The centre will have six Aboriginal health workers and Dr PK has plans to give out personal health packs to patients and run specific clinics targeting the main health issues of this group of patients. Renowned for taking initiatives others shy away from, Dr PK is no stranger to establishing Townsville ‘firsts’. He was the first GP to bring 24-7 bulk billing to Townsville, the first non-corporate to offer courtesy bus pick-ups and drop-offs for patients and the first to offer a ‘community fridge’. “I buy fruits and veggies and let our patients take them home to enable them to eat healthy meals,” Dr PK says. “A lot of corporate companies and generous patients donate food towards the idea too.” Dr PK is also owner/director of My Family Doctors @ Urban Quarter – in total his group practice consists of 15 GPs. “A lot of people have helped me achieve what I have to date, and I’d like to thank them as they are part of this success story,” Dr PK says. Dr Johnson Kazum, moved from Mt Isa to become my business partner. Professor Gracelyn Smallwood’s contribution towards our Indigenous Health Wing has been invaluable, as has the hard work of our team of doctors, past and present, who continue bulk-billing and working the odd hours to help run the 24-hour set-up. “My deep appreciation also goes to our administration staff, nurses and our reception staff, who are the face of the practice and have helped us reach these heights.” Hailing from Suva, Fiji, Dr PK obtained his initial medical degree from Pune India after being awarded an Indian Cultural Scholarship. He then worked in Fiji for more than a decade before leaving due to Fiji’s political situation. “My exposure to the underprivileged and my sentiments for serving people led me to remain a full bulk-billing doctor since I moved to Townsville in December of 2003,” Dr PK says. My Family Doctors @ Kirwan 7-9 Thuringowa Drive Kirwan My Family Doctors @ Urban Quarter Shop 10, Urban Quarter Village My Family Doctors – Indigenous Health Wing 719 Ross River Road Kirwan 4755 4500 drpk@myfamilydoctors.com.au www.myfamilydoctors.com.au
98 DUO MAGAZINE DECEMBER 2014 duomagazine.com.au
“A LOT OF PEOPLE HAVE HELPED ME ACHIEVE WHAT I HAVE TO DATE, AND I’D LIKE TO THANK THEM AS THEY ARE PART OF THIS SUCCESS STORY.” DR PRAVEEN KUMAR