After 50 years of rural general practice in Renmark, family doctor, educator and rural health advocate Dr David Rosenthal is retiring. Having grown up in the town, he returned after studying medicine and completing further training in obstetrics and gynaecology, testament to the view that rural origin graduates are more likely to return to the regions following their studies.

Dr Rosenthal has contributed greatly to rural medicine, including serving as the founding president of the Rural Doctors Association of South Australia and as national president of the Rural Doctors Association.

Flinders Rural and Remote Health SA appreciate and acknowledge his valuable contribution as a clinical supervisor and educator with Flinders Rural Clinical School in Renmark over the years. His example, training and mentorship has resulted in many students returning regionally as GP’s and also becoming educators and clinical supervisors for the next generation of rural family doctors.

In recent years he has seen positive development in the Riverland including the Riverland General Hospital, a centre that is able to supply more complex care to the community and the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence.

Dr Rosenthal said, “With the inception of the Riverland Academy of Clinical Excellence, medical students are now able to deliberately train to be rural doctors following graduation.”

Progressing the quality of medical care in the Riverland has been a career-long goal for this dedicated doctor.

Dr Rosenthal will be missed, and we thank him for his contribution to rural medicine, sharing his broad knowledge and skills with our students and wish him all the best for his well-deserved retirement.