Community & Business
6 May, 2026
Boost for health services with new GP
Dr Ali Shahnazi has recently joined the team at Pittsworth Medical Centre on Yandilla Street as a General Practitioner. Here is your chance to get to know him a little better.
"I'm genuinely excited to bring my clinical background to this clinic and get to know the Pittsworth community," Dr Ali said.
His career in medicine began in 2013, when he was accepted into one of Iran's top medical schools in Mashhad.
He was a general practitioner before moving to work in a rural region for 12 months.
"I really valued that rural experience and the sense of community it brought," Dr Ali said.
In 2023, his family embarked on a new chapter and moved to Australia.
Through Griffith University, Dr Ali completed a Master of Health Services Management.
"It was a fantastic way to learn the ins-and-outs of the Australian health care system," he said.
After transferring his medical qualifications, Dr Ali was ready to return to practice and knew he wanted to do so in a rural setting.
"I had such a fulfilling experience working in a country town back in Iran, the relationships you build with patients are just so much more meaningful than in a big, fast-paced city clinic," Dr Ali said.
"I really wanted to find a welcoming place where I could settle and become part of the community, and this practice felt like the perfect place."
Dr Ali said his passion is listening and building long-term relationships with his patients.
"In general practice, especially in a rural setting, you aren't just treating an isolated issue, you're looking after the whole person and often their family, over many years," he said.
"I'm passionate about providing continuity of care, which is why I value having enough time for each appointment.
"Additionally, through my recent studies in Health Services Management, I've developed a strong interest in helping patients navigate the health care system.
“I want them to feel comfortable, informed and empowered when making decisions about their health.”
Dr Ali hopes he can bring a sense of reliability to the community of Pittsworth.
“I know that in some regional areas, it can sometimes be frustrating when doctors come and go, and patients have to re-explain their medical history every few months,” he said.
“I want to be a familiar and consistent face that people can trust over time.
“On a personal level, I’m really looking forward to building strong connections, supporting local events whenever I can, and becoming a dedicated and familiar part of this community.”
From a clinical perspective, Dr Ali said the biggest challenge he sees in rural medicine is that there is not always immediate access to a wide range of specialists, and GPs need to be more resourceful to manage a variety of conditions.
“I actually enjoy that aspect of rural practice, it’s a rewarding challenge that keeps me engaged and allows me to provide more comprehensive care for my patients,” Dr Ali said.
Proprietor of Pittsworth Medical Centre, Dr David Reid, who has been a GP in Pittsworth since 2004, said bringing in an additional doctor will help make services more accessible and timely for local residents, while also supporting continuity of care.
“We have the aim of providing a high quality friendly service for the town and its people that we value,” he said.
“It’s a wonderful experience to know our patients really well.”
The medical centre’s female doctor, Raima Reza, has been practising in Pittsworth now for over a year.
New doctors in rural areas are few and far between but their ability to stay and continue serving the community ultimately depends on the level of support they receive from patients.
To book an appointment at Pittsworth Medical Centre, phone 4693 1900 or stop by the practice in Yandilla Street.
New patients are welcome.
