MBBS AMC FRACGP
With more than 20 years' experience providing patient-focused healthcare in Australia and abroad, Romany is passionate about caring for people with authenticity.
"General Practice Medicine is a specialist discipline that requires broad knowledge and a comprehensive skill set. Listening is such an essential skill to understanding my patient as a whole person, so I can give the most useful advice and beneficial treatment for optimal long-term outcomes."
Romany has always been fascinated by science and biology and, with a strong desire to help others, his close-knit family supported his aspiration to enter medicine. He completed his medical degree in 2000 and subsequently attained fellowship of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
"For me, being a GP is not just about dealing with illness or applying a temporary quick fix. It is an opportunity and privilege to provide ongoing holistic care for individuals, families and the whole community."
Romany's medical career has spanned several countries working in a range of clinical settings and diverse communities, which has given him vast experience - from a small-town hospital in regional NSW to major hospitals in the bustling cities of Egypt, from remote medical clinics in sub-Saharan Africa to busy medical centres in Australia's most populous city.
One of Romany's early career highlights was pioneering the Hope Clinic in 2004 with extremely limited resources, to treat people with HIV/AIDS in the rural village of Maseno, Kenya.
Supported by the Coptic Mission and the University of Washington in Nairobi, Romany led a small team of four staff treating about five patients a day.
Nearly two decades on, the tiny clinic is now the Hope Centre for Infectious Diseases and manages over 25,000 clients across three countries.
Another highlight was working in the foothills of the NSW Snowy Mountains as Visiting Medical Officer at Tumut Public Hospital, where he managed emergency presentations and the whole gamut of clinical cases, followed by working as the sole GP at the only bulk-billing medical practice in town.
"I have seen people struggle in the most difficult circumstances, and hardship in places one may not expect, which motivates me to provide honest and authentic care.
I have also seen resilience and joy in adversity, and I am humbled when a patient acknowledges my contribution along their journey."
Demonstrating his versatility, Romany has also worked as a Medical Officer for the Australian Defence Forces caring for military personnel inpatients and outpatients, and as a GP in busy medical centres across Sydney.
In 2021 Romany opened his own general practice in the Sutherland Shire, and gained AGPAL accreditation within 10 months of opening. No small feat considering the demands of setting up a practice while providing quality patient care - let alone during a global pandemic with government lockdowns and administering mass vaccinations.
"It has been a long-held dream to open my own practice and, whilst I had a very clear vision of what I wanted that practice to be, watching it come to life and seeing how people have responded to it has been so wonderful. I couldn't be prouder of the team we've built and what we've created at Bethany."
Romany appreciates all aspects of general practice and has a special interest in Chronic Disease Management, Skin Cancer, DVA/Military Medicine and Mental Health.
"Mental health has always played a vital role in our wellbeing and living through the uncertainty of a global pandemic has highlighted the importance of mental health services. It has also reminded us how interconnected the world is and that our fundamental needs are not unlike people on the other side of the world. It is deeply rewarding to support my patients through the challenges they face and the triumphs they achieve."
When Romany is away from work, you can find him wrestling with his two energetic boys (the boys usually win), dreaming up his next travel adventure, playing a game of chess, or at the local 7-Eleven grabbing a strong coffee on the way to work!
Booking Dr. Romany Soliman