From Disney to the Outback: Emergency Medicine with Dr Tim Turk

It Takes Heart

What do Disney cruise ships, rural hospitals, and music festivals have in common? For Dr. Tim Turk, they’ve all been part of his incredible medical journey. In this episode of It Takes Heart, Tim chats with hosts Sam and Kate about how saying “yes” to unique opportunities has led him across continents, specialties, and communities - creating a career rich in purpose, adventure, and impact.

Tim shares how rural medicine offers unparalleled hands-on experience, often accelerating learning and confidence in ways metropolitan placements can’t match. His insights reveal how a values-driven approach - shaped in part by his time with Disney - can turn even the briefest patient interaction into something meaningful.

Tim also reflects on his time as a festival medic, working alongside pill testing teams and witnessing firsthand the powerful shift toward harm reduction. These collaborative efforts not only saved lives but transformed the environment, dramatically reducing hospitalisations and creating safer spaces for young people. It’s a conversation full of heart, humanity, and bold career lessons for every healthcare professional.

It Takes Heart is hosted by cmr CEO Sam Miklos, alongside Head of Talent and Employer Branding, Kate Coomber.
We Care; Music by Waveney Yasso

More about Tim's Organisation of Choice, Rural Doctors Foundation.
Rural Doctors Foundation is a national rural health charity committed to improving access to life-saving healthcare in Australia’s rural and remote regions. Led by rural doctors and local community members, the foundation supports healthcare where it’s needed most, from the remotest outback towns to vibrant coastal hubs and rural farming districts.

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Follow @ittakesheartpodcast on Instagram, @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.

Get to know cmr better!
Follow @ittakesheartpodcast on Instagram, @cmr | Cornerstone Medical Recruitment on Linked In, @cornerstonemedicalrec on TikTok and @CornerstoneMedicalRecruitment on Facebook.

Chapters

1. Episode Introduction (00:00:00)

2. Disney Career and Customer Service (00:06:42)

3. From Nursing to Becoming a Doctor (00:10:16)

4. Rural Medicine's Hidden Benefits (00:17:25)

5. Medical Support at Music Festivals (00:27:25)

6. Pill Testing and Harm Reduction (00:41:54)

7. Balancing Career and Family Life (00:50:48)

8. Supporting Rural Healthcare Families (00:54:27)