Dr Kelvin Kong: Australia’s first Indigenous surgeon

The following information has been adapted from a transcript of the ABC radio program PM (broadcast 4 July 2006)

Sydney doctor, Kelvin Kong has become Australia’s first Indigenous surgeon. His choice to practice as an ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist was influenced by a desire to address the high rates of ear and eye disease in Australia’s Indigenous communities.

Dr Kong’s family is renowned for medical firsts. His mother was one of the country’s first Indigenous registered nurses, and his older twin sisters were the first Indigenous students to graduate from Sydney University with medical degrees.

Dr Kong acknowledges the extensive work still required to address Indigenous health issues but hopes his achievement can convince other Indigenous children to chase their dreams.

• For further information:
  • Sydney man becomes first Indigenous surgeon
    View transcript: ABC radio program PM (HTML) (4 July 2006)
  • The Kong family’s Koori doctors
    View HealthBulletin current topic (HTML) (Vol 3 No 4 2003)