Dr. Dan Pronk

Director, Guardian Personal Safety Training

Resident Medic "Dr Dan" - SAS Australia

Presentation title

"Building your resilience shield"

Biography

Dan entered into the Australian Army in 2001 on a scholarship to study medicine. Upon graduation he completed his internship and first year residency in civilian hospitals before posting to his first Army unit and quickly moving into Special Operations following successful completion of the Special Air Service (SAS) Regiment selection course. Dan spent the last five years of his service working between the SAS and the 2nd Commando Regiment and saw operational service in Timor Leste and Afghanistan. Dan was awarded the Commendation for Distinguished Service for his leadership in combat during his second of four operational tours of Afghanistan.

Following leaving the army in 2014 Dan has held positions as a remote mine site doctor, a ship’s doctor, the Deputy Medical Superintendent of a regional hospital, and the Medical Director of the South Australian Prison Health Service. He serves as the Medical Director for the private medical company TacMed Australia. Dan currently works part time in the Emergency Department of a regional hospital in between remote medical support tasks including support of reality TV shows including SAS Australia and Alone Australia.

Dan spent just over a year working as a fly-in, fly-out doctor at Olympic Dam (2014-2015). The role included routine medicals for employees, day-to-day medical care, and response to emergencies. He also had a role in training the Emergency Response Team and has continued engagement in that area, most recently being a presenter and guest judge at the 2023 South Australian Mines Emergency Response Competition (SAMERC). 

This involvement has given him insight into the unique stressors of the mining world, including long working hours, sleep disturbance from shift work, social isolation, high-risk environments, and response to, and recovery from, critical incidents. 

Dan holds a Bachelor of Exercise Science, A Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery, A Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a Master of Business Administration, and has completed an Associate Fellowship of the Royal Australian College of Medical Administrators. He is an instructor on the Royal Australian College of Surgeons’ Early Management of Severe Trauma course, a former board member of the Australian Tactical Medical Association, and a former Independent Medical Advisor to the Department of Home Affairs.