Former RDN Chair Dr Rick Newton retires as Tullamore town doctor

Congratulations and ‘Happy Retirement’ to Tullamore doctor and former RDN Chair and Board Member, Dr Rick Newton who, last week, hung up his stethoscope after 27 years serving the Tullamore community.

Dr Newton’s last day at Tullamore Medical Centre within the Tullamore Multipurpose Service was 18 December despite his original plan 27 years ago to move to the area for only two years!

Speaking to Forbes Advocate about his almost three decades of service in the area, Dr Newton said none of it would have been possible without the support of his wife Barbara and the connections she made with the Tullamore community.

"How we (doctors) are able to stay out here is because of partners," he told journalist Christine Little.

"Barbara has just as an important part in the community as I have," he said.

Dr Newton is a strong advocate of rural medicine and believes this support is a vital aspect when it comes to attracting the next generation of doctors and their families to rural areas. He served as Chair of RDN from 2007 to 2010.

Learn more about Dr Newton’s inspiring career which first began as a high school teacher, why he has such a passion for rural medicine, his role in supervising and mentoring four overseas training doctors over 12 years through the Remote Vocational Training Scheme, Barbara’s career and impact and of course, his plans for retirement.

Read more here.

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