A CENTRAL Queensland doctor credited with performing 10,000 operations and delivering more than 3000 babies has been honoured by his professional peers as a 'Legend of the Bush’.
Biloela’s Dr Richard Tan, who will mark 50 years of service as a GP to his community next year, was recognised during the David Horn Memorial Dinner in Townsville on Saturday, the gala closing event of the 28th annual Rural Doctors Association of Queensland conference.
Immediate RDAQ past-president Dr Michael Rice an RDAQ Legend of the Bush was a rural doctor who was a rural ‘character’ who had provided long-standing and meritorious service to rural medicine and rural communities.
“Dr Tan’s success in life was spread across his personal, professional and recreational pursuits,” Dr Rice said.
“Firstly he has been a devoted husband of over 50 years to Dominique, and father to Allirah and Rohan.
“In 2013 he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal, for over 46 years of medical services to the Biloela community.
“He has been the backbone of general practice services in Biloela, and is still actively practicing obstetrics at 78 years of age as a visiting medical officer at the hospital.”
Dr Tan cited delivering the children of children he delivered, as one of the more enjoyable and satisfying parts of his job.
When he isn’t donning his stethoscope or scrubs, he has been an innovative farmer, producing squab pigeons, Black Silke chickens and native fish such as Sleepy Cod. He also breeds and breaks in horses.
“Dr Tan is also active medical educator with RACGP (Royal Australian College of General Practitioners) and family medicine programs and is an effective advertisement to medical students and junior doctor when we talk about the benefits of living and working in a rural community,” Dr Rice said.
“He is a humble and unassuming man, albeit with a wicked sense of humour, who has a natural ability to make people feel better about themselves, just by being in his company, whether as a patient, colleague or friend.”
Dr Tan thanked his doctor peers for the honour, saying he felt humbled by the recognition.
“I love being a rural doctor,” he said. “It has given me a wonderful life.”
I love being a rural doctor. It has given me a wonderful life.
- Dr Tan
