Brad McKay (doctor)
{{short description|Australian medical doctor and TV presenter}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2016}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2016}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Brad McKay
| image = Dr Brad McKay.JPG
| image_size =
| alt = Dr Brad McKay sitting on stool in TV set
| caption = On the set of Embarrassing Bodies Down Under
| birth_name =
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Lower Hutt, New Zealand
| death_date =
| death_place =
| nationality = Australian
| education = Monash University
| occupation = {{hlist|Doctor|science communicator|author|presenter}}
| employer =
| known_for = Today, Embarrassing Bodies Down Under
| spouse =
}}
Brad McKay is a New Zealand born Australian doctor, science communicator and author. He is best known for his television series Embarrassing Bodies Down Under, which was broadcast in 2013. He is also a regular guest on numerous Australian television and radio programs including Today.
He is a practicing GP in the inner Sydney suburb of Darlinghurst.
Early life and education
McKay was born and grew up in Lower Hutt, New Zealand.[http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/local-papers/hutt-news/9033151/Hutt-doctor-joins-reality-TV-show Hutt doctor joins reality TV show - Stuff.co.nz - published 27 May 2013] He moved to Australia as a teen, and studied at Monash University[http://josiesjuice.blogspot.com.au/2013/05/embarrassing-bodies-down-under.html Embarrassing Bodies Australian Edition with Dr Christian Jessen - Josies Juice - published 17 May 2013]
Career
After graduating from university, McKay began work at a clinic in Melbourne. He has worked with remote Aboriginal communities in New South Wales.[http://www.eastsydneydoctors.com.au/doctors/dr-brad-mckay East Sydney Doctors] In 2014 he began working at East Sydney Doctors in Sydney.
McKay's first television role was as a commentator on The Project. He then started making regular appearances on Today and Today Extra.
In 2013, he hosted Embarrassing Bodies Down Under[http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2013/05/aussie-doctors-join-embarrassing-bodies-down-under.html Aussie doctors join Embarrassing Bodies Down Under - TV Tonight - published 27 May 2013] on Lifestyle You,[http://www.lifestylefood.com.au/chefs/dr-brad-mckay/ Dr Brad Mckay - Lifestyle You] a factual television program that explores embarrassing medical issues. The series was an Australian version of the UK show, Embarrassing Bodies. The show was also hosted by Christian Jessen who hosts the UK version of the program, Ginni Mansberg, and Sam Hay. In 2015 the show was broadcast on the Nine Network.[http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/tv/tv-shows/think-tv-is-just-cat-videos-and-bad-reality-think-again-here-are-seven-other-options-worth-watching/news-story/3e68766aa7560e97c0f46ebba436e560 What's new on TV this week? - News.com.au - published 14 August 2015]
In 2015, McKay started regular radio segments on ABC Radio Sydney, ABC Radio Hobart, Nightlife, 2UE, and 3AW Melbourne.{{Cite web |url=http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2015/03/tattoos-may-interfere-with-breast-cancer-detection.html?site=southeastnsw&program=702_breakfast |title=Tattoos may interfere with breast cancer detection - 702 ABC Sydney - published 26 March 2015 |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160302105807/http://blogs.abc.net.au/nsw/2015/03/tattoos-may-interfere-with-breast-cancer-detection.html?site=southeastnsw&program=702_breakfast |archive-date=2 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}[https://twitter.com/DrBradMcKay/status/676328417520828416 We've got a special Christmas episode for you tonight on @936hobart with @MelanieTait][http://www.abc.net.au/nightlife/stories/4153514.htm Embarrassing Bodies with Dr Brad Mckay - ABC Nightlife - published 22 December 2014][http://www.abc.net.au/nightlife/podcast.htm Lyme Disease with Dr Brad McKay - ABC Nightlife - published 18 January 2016]
In 2016, McKay began writing regularly for News.com.au.[http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/health-problems/the-great-australian-lyme-conspiracy/news-story/c5137170015f20db705febcf56223af6 The great Australian lyme conspiracy - News.com.au - published 16 March 2016][http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/a-doctor-busts-the-big-myths-about-your-period-and-the-pill/news-story/662a201f9b704eabd11290110ab153f3 A doctor busts the big myths about your period and the pill - News.com.au - published 4 April 2016][http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/babies/how-my-patients-changed-my-mind-about-abortion/news-story/f1755873541cfc919f9921c9497a4f3b How my patients changed my mind about abortion - News.com.au - published 13 May 2016][http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/health/diet/are-vitamins-doing-you-more-harm-than-good/news-story/e23c96cfa8888233ae523a4f188ba311 Are vitamins doing you more harm than good? - News.com.au - published 18 May 2016]
In addition to his regular commitments, Dr Brad has appeared as health expert on many Australian radio and television programmes including Studio 10, Nine News, Triple J, Sky News Australia, 10 News First, and ABC News.Lateline, [http://www.abc.net.au/lateline/content/2015/s4443620.htm When drug and sex addictions collide, with sometimes devastating effects], ABCThe Bolt Report, [https://www.facebook.com/theboltreport/videos/307313639626772/?comment_id=307348022956667¬if_t=video_comment¬if_id=1473675826223130 Dr Brad McKay and Andrew Bolt], Sky News Australia[http://www.abc.net.au/triplej/media/s4564548.htm The Hook Up with Hannah Reilly], Triple J
Personal life
McKay was a doctor in Melbourne, before moving to Sydney in 2014.{{cn|date=April 2022}}
Growing up in New Zealand, McKay was raised by religious parents who taught to never question a doctor's opinion and frequently used prayer when dealing with medical issues.{{cite web |last1=Gerbic |first1=Susan |authorlink= Susan Gerbic |title=Fake Medicine – A New Book by Dr. Brad McKay |url=https://skepticalinquirer.org/exclusive/fake-medicine-a-new-book-by-dr-brad-mckay/ |website=Skeptical Inquirer |date=13 May 2021 |publisher=CFI |access-date=23 June 2021}}
He is openly gay and lives with his partner in Sydney.[http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/relationships/marriage/my-nana-died-waiting-for-an-answer-i-couldnt-give-her/news-story/603e9a7ad0f1d1c7e9ea1bfcfd4b3701 My Nana died waiting for an answer I couldn’t give her - News.com.au - published 3 March 2017] He is an atheist and humanist. He has spoken in the past about the fact that he grew up in a very religious household.[http://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/babies/how-my-patients-changed-my-mind-about-abortion/news-story/f1755873541cfc919f9921c9497a4f3b How my patients changed my mind about abortion - News.com.au - published 13 May 2016]
McKay is a committee member of the Australian Skeptics[http://www.skeptics.com.au/2015/12/10/tv-doctor-joins-asi-committee/ TV Doctor joins ASI Committee - Australian Skeptics - published 10 December 2015] and has said he is committed to keeping evidence based science in medicine. He caused a minor controversy in his home country of New Zealand when he publicly denounced former All Black Sonny Bill Williams for his use of hijama cupping.{{Cite web |url=https://au.oztips.yahoo.com/news/article/-/30199622/it-only-damages-your-skin-embarrassing-bodies-doctor-hits-out-at-sonny-bill-williams-treatment/ |title='It only damages your skin': Embarrassing Bodies doctor hits out at SBW's treatment - Yahoo 7 - published 26 November 2015 |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304054511/https://au.oztips.yahoo.com/news/article/-/30199622/it-only-damages-your-skin-embarrassing-bodies-doctor-hits-out-at-sonny-bill-williams-treatment/ |archive-date=4 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}{{Cite web |url=http://www.scout.co.nz/Sonny-Bill-gets-slammed-by-celeb-doctor-for-cupping-treatment/tabid/511/articleID/10564/Default.aspx |title=Sonny Bill gets slammed by celeb doctor for cupping treatment - Scout New Zealand - published 26 November 2015 |access-date=23 February 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160311054950/http://www.scout.co.nz/Sonny-Bill-gets-slammed-by-celeb-doctor-for-cupping-treatment/tabid/511/articleID/10564/Default.aspx |archive-date=11 March 2016 |url-status=dead }}[http://www.stuff.co.nz/sport/rugby/all-blacks/74436597/Sonny-Bill-Williams-undergoes-hijama-cupping-therapy Sonny Bill Williams undergoes hijama cupping therapy - Stuff.co.nz - published 26 November 2015][http://mashable.com/2015/11/26/sonny-bill-hijama-cupping/ Football player tweets photo of his blood-sucking cup therapy - Mashable - published 26 November 2015]
Books
- {{cite book|last1=McKay|first1=Brad|title=Fake Medicine|year=2021|publisher=Hachette|location=Australia|isbn= 9780733646867|oclc=1227692115}}
An article written in Skeptical Inquirer, Susan Gerbic reviews McKay's book Fake Medicine: Exposing the Wellness Crazes, Cons and Quacks Costing Us Our Health. During his teenage years, McKay had a medical condition which hurt his backside, causing him to go to the doctor, then a physiotherapist and an osteopath. Then McKay's parents decided to invoke the help of God when surgery time came. After this, we follow McKay through many doctors trying to diagnose a medical mystery which is revealed in the end. Throughout the book, McKay discusses the phenomenon of Dr. Google, which he says has positives and negatives with patients trying to diagnose themselves, and a variety of alternative treatments including vitamins, cupping therapy, and naturopathy. McKay uses real-life experiences adding a touch of personal history to lead readers along the diagnoses ending with the problems science communicators face with such as media pushing a false balance.
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- [http://www.drbradmckay.com.au Dr Brad McKay | Official Website | Australian TV Doctor]
- [https://www.eastsydneydoctors.com.au/bradmckay Dr Brad McKay biography]
- [http://www.lifestyle.com.au/health/meet-the-embarrassing-bodies-down-under-doctors.aspx Meet the Embarrassing Bodies Doctors - Lifestyle You]
- {{cite web|title=Medical Mythbusting with Dr Brad McKay|date=June 12, 2015|publisher=Studio 10|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_Ev8-e3OeA}}
- {{cite web|title=Matter of Fact - Dr Brad McKay - Medical Cannabis|date=February 28, 2018|publisher=Brad McKay|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tTAo3ZLPFWc}}
- {{cite web|title=Matter of Fact - Dr Brad McKay - Motor Neurone Disease|date=March 14, 2018|publisher=Brad McKay|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wqPDOcdjUOc}}
- {{cite web|title=Matter of Fact - Dr Brad McKay - Back Pain|date=March 28, 2018|publisher=Brad McKay|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=azw-jO68bvU}}
- {{cite web|title=Vaping - Matter of Fact - Dr Brad McKay|date=April 12, 2018|publisher=Brad McKay|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQ5YB7WlV9M}}
- {{cite web|title=My Health Record - Matter of Fact|date=May 25, 2018|publisher=Brad McKay|website=YouTube|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YPYDBb9TQA}}
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Category:People educated at Brighton Grammar School
Category:Australian television presenters
Category:Australian general practitioners