Dr Alex John

MBBS, MRCS, FRACGP, MRCGP

Doctor Alex is a Rural Generalist. In 2002 he completed his Medical degree in London at the Royal Free, before undergoing surgical training in England and becoming a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons in 2008. He also completed General Practice training in the UK.

He has worked for 16 years on Australian Islands: King Island, Norfolk Island, Flinders Island and Cape Barren Island, and a short stint on the ‘Big’ Australian Island. In 2023 he was awarded the Ochre Health National Doctor of the Year Award. He is also an Honorary Senior Lecturer for UTAS, actively engaged in teaching and learning from his students.

When Alex is not at work, he and his family can be found trying their hand at farming. Alex has come to realise that farming and rural medicine are not so different, both requiring a wholistic approach. Much like the Japanese philosopher farmer Masanoba Fukouka’s principles state that ‘we grow our produce with tender care, engaging in dialogue with nature and interacting sincerely with consumers. We consider the sometimes inconsistent, lumpy appearance of our produce as a part of who we are. Rest assured that we would never deceive customers nor infringe on nature. Our ethos is honesty.’