John has worked as a Rural Generalist Obstetrician in clinical, academic and administrative roles for over 25 years. He is currently the Medical Director of Maternity Services for the Cape York region, based in Cooktown, Far North QLD. Most recently John was the Director of Medical Services for Western Cape York based in Weipa where he was instrumental in reopening their birthing service. He has extensive experience 
as a rural practice owner and has worked as the Director of Medical Services for the largest rural GP corporate in Australia, Ochre Health. He has recently acquired the GP practice in Cooktown and is the founder and sole director for Melaleuca Health, the entity now providing GP services in Cooktown. 

John has always been active in the medico-political space and is a past President of the Rural Doctors Association of Australia. He is currently a board director for the Australian College of Rural and Remote Medicine. He has been board director on the RDAA and AMAQ boards for many years. He served as RDAQ President in 2008. 

He has published research on “Skin Cancer in Rural Primary Care” and “The important role of RGs in prehospital medicine” and has recently completed his MBA & MPH at JCU. John has a keen interest in rural and remote public health and has been a passionate advocate for rural private practice, rural hospitals, and in particular re-opening and maintaining rural maternity services.