The Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service began in Brisbane in 1972, working out of premise in Red Hill and under the direction of an elected council of representatives from the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations in Brisbane as well as members of the medical, dental, nursing, physiotherapy, audiology and social work professions. The formation of this medical centre was discussed at the Action Conference on Racism and Education held at the University of Queensland in January 1972. The name of the organisation was formally changed to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Community Health Service (ATSICHS) in 2008.

John Paul Brown, born on 28 June 1941, was a Senior Lecturer in Dentistry at the University of Queensland Dental School in Turbot Street, Brisbane. He completed his PhD with the University of Queensland in 1976. He was one of the medical professionals involved in the Aboriginal and Islander Community Health Service. He held positions as a professor, as well as Chair of the Department of Community Dentistry (1984-2006), at the University of Texas Health Science Center (UT Health) in San Antonio, Texas. He is now Professor Emeritus at UT Health.