Dr Dan Pronk completed a Bachelor of Exercise Science at Griffith University in 1999 before studying medicine at Flinders University on an Army scholarship. Graduating with a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery in Dec 2004, he continued at Flinders Medical Centre for his intern and first residency year. Dr Pronk entered into General Practice training in 2006, and subsequently completed his FRACGP in Jan 2011.
In 2007 Dr Pronk was posted to his first Army unit in Darwin as a Regimental Medical Officer. In 2008 Dr Pronk posted to 5 RAR in Darwin and continued to serve with high-readiness infantry units in Sydney and Perth for the remainder of his full-time military career from 2009-2013. Dr Pronk deployed on operations on five occasions with the Army, once to Timor and the remainder to Afghanistan.
During his military career, Dr Pronk took a particular interest in the pre-hospital management of penetrating trauma and had the privilege of representing the Australian Army at the NATO Special Operations Forces Medical Expert Panel. He was also awarded a Commendation for Distinguished Service for his conduct in combat on his second tour.
In 2014 Dr Pronk was discharged from the full-time Army and commenced an MBA through the University of South Australia, which he successfully completed in December 2016. In November 2014 Dr Pronk also successfully completed Early Management of Severe Trauma instructor training through the Royal Australian College of Surgeons, commencing instructing in September 2015.
For the period of July 2014 - June 2015 Dr Pronk worked primarily in an Occupational Medicine role at BHPB's Olympic dam mine site in South Australia, whilst also working periodically offshore.
In July 2015 Dr Pronk accepted the Deputy Medical Superintendent role at a regional hospital in Queensland where he worked until late 2017, completing his MBA in 2016. He then took the position as Medical Director of the South Australian Prison Health Service. Dr Pronk served for three years in that role, completing an Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators during his tenure.
Current Work:
Dan now maintains his clinical medicine through work in ED and surgical assisting, and his interest in tactical medicine through acting as a tactical medical consultant for various police and other government agency groups and is the Medical Director at TacMed Australia.
In 2021 Dr Pronk co-authored the best-selling book The Resilience Shield with his brother Ben and fellow SAS veteran Tim Curtis and is heavily involved in running workshops and presenting on the topic of resilience. Dan is also the resident medic 'Dr Dan' on Channel Seven's SAS Australia.
Video
Keynote Speaker | Dr Dan Pronk | Ex-Special Ops Doctor | 100+ Combat Missions
Dr. Dan Pronk studied medicine on an Australian Army scholarship before passing the punishing SAS selection course. He served on over 100 combat missions in Afghanistan as a special operations doctor. Casualties were fellow SAS soldiers and commandos, local civilians, and even the enemy. Battlefield medicine and the thrill of adventure gave Dr. Dan a sense of purpose. He pushed his medical skills and courage to the limits. But the despair of being helpless to save his friends in their final moments haunted him. Dr. Dan’s journey back to a fulfilling life started when he moved into medical leadership roles. The medical skills he honed in Afghanistan started saving civilian lives. Then, he began writing about his combat experiences. In 2019, he self-published a book that developed a surprising cult following. In 2021, he co-authored a bestselling book on resilience. In 2022, his memoir, The Combat Doctor, was released. Dr. Dan is also the lead medic on the hit TV show SAS Australia.Dan was an awesome speaker who linked his message of resilience and managing stress back to our farming audience. Interesting and engaging. ... keep reading South Island Dairy
