Current RDAA President, rural generalist doctor, Australian Doctor Trained Overseas, and all around great guy, Dr RT Lewandowski shares his story.

It has often been said you can take the kid out of the country but you can’t take the country out of the kid – and it’s a phrase that is true to a tee for Dr Isobel Pye.

Raised in a remote farming community in north west NSW, Isobel subsequently spent many years in Sydney - for her secondary schooling, much of her medical studies, her time as an intern and a subsequent year working in Dermatology. To say she has been keen to return to the bush is an understatement!

We spoke with Isobel about her journey into Medicine, and her journey back to rural. We also spoke with her about her research into melanoma...oh, and even her research work on hair loss and balding in men!

Isobel was one of the recipients of our MDA National and RDAA #DestinationRural Bursary to last year's Rural Medicine Australia conference in Canberra.

Originally from Durban in South Africa, Dr Catherine Nortje completed her medical studies at James Cook University in Queensland. She is now on the Queensland Rural Generalist Pathway and currently working as a Resident Medical Officer at Mount Isa Hospital.

Catherine has a strong interest in procedural medicine such as anaesthetics and emergency care – but a number of other areas of Medicine have (unexpectedly) piqued her interest during her time at Mount Isa.

Catherine was one of the recipients of our MDA National and RDAA #DestinationRural Bursary to last year's Rural Medicine Australia conference in Canberra.

Dr Sam Hemer is a Rural Generalist trainee currently undertaking his Community General Practice training on the NSW North Coast, having been a Resident Medical Officer at Mount Isa in 2022. He plans ultimately to have a career as a Rural Generalist Anaesthetist.

Sam was one of the recipients of our MDA National and RDAA #DestinationRural Bursary to last year's Rural Medicine Australia conference in Canberra.

Sam is not only handy at Rural Medicine - he's also handy on the bagpipes - and apparently he's not the only one in the Rural Medical sector who is!

Rural Generalist medicine creates opportunities for doctors to take their career in different and interesting directions. Medical administration is one many RGs "fall into", but for Dr Shannon Nott, it has been a deliberate choice and one full of challenges and rewards.

For those who think working or training as a doctor in a rural area is career limiting....think again. Dr Lachlan McIver is a rural generalist, whose career has taken him all over the world and now a published author.

A great couple (of doctors), early in their rural careers based in Tassie who are excited, realistic and ready to explore the opportunities that are on offer in rural medicine.

Finally a chat with RDAA immediate past president Dr John Hall - what drives his passion for rural, understand why he thinks rural is so special, and why others should get onboard.