Dr Vasantha Preetham

Dr Vasantha Preetham is a Perth-based general practitioner. She was elected RACGP President in 2007 and has served on College Council since 2002.

Dr Preetham holds a number of Australian and international appointments: she is the general practice advisor to Professor John Horvath, The Australian Government Chief Medical Officer; a Director of the Committee Of Presidents Of Medical Colleges, an executive member of the World Organisation Of Family Doctors (WONCA) Asia/ Pacific Region; and holds an Honorary Fellowship from the Malaysian College of General Practitioners. Dr Preetham is Chair of the RACGP Research Committee and the RACGP Awards Committee.

In her work, she is a passionate advocate for overseas trained doctors and their role in Australian medicine, for innovation in general practice policy, for addressing health inequalities, as well as having interests in practice management and education. She runs two busy general practices in Perth, Western Australia. Her practices are accredited for undergraduate and graduate training and she is trained as a GP supervisor. She is a champion for grassroots GPs.

Dr Preetham is a respected and passionate advocate for Australian general practice. She works closely with government and other stakeholders to drive the reform of the Australian health system. In support of this work she has published a range of editorial articles in the Australian medical press.