Dr Kami (as he is commonly known) served the township of Coober Pedy from January 1976 and is still practicing medicine in January 2021.
Dr Kami who was born and educated in Toronto, Canada came to Australia whilst travelling the world. He had already traversed far and wide including riding a motor bike across the United States, serving on a cruise ship, working in New Zealand before arriving in Australia. In Australia he joined the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS), initially at the Charleville, Qld base in 1975 before relocating to Port Augusta, SA in 1976 where he met Ruth, his English born Nurse. Through the work of the RFDS Dr Kami and Sr Ruth provided medical and emergency services across rural and remote South Australia. This often included visiting Coober Pedy weekly to conduct the visiting medical clinics. In May 1977 Dr Kami and Ruth, came to live in Coober Pedy for the adventure and to try his luck at opal mining. Dr Kami was approached by members of the Coober Pedy Hospital Board of Management requesting his support in providing medical services to the local community. For many year’s Dr Kami was the only resident Doctor in Coober Pedy providing 24/7 medical services to the Coober Pedy Hospital & Health Services whilst operating a private medical practice and the local pharmacy.
Dr Kami & Ruth with work colleagues at their Australian Citizenship ceremony (from left Lillian Fatt, Chris Durdin, Dr Kami, Trish Turner, Ruth Kamitakahara, Sue Radeka).
On 22nd April 2008 Dr Kami and Ruth became Australian citizens.
2010 Dt Kamitakahara received the Long Service Medal from Rural Doctors’ Workforce of Australia.