Letter from The Editor

Irene Roy, Publications Officer of AMSA Rural

Hello and welcome to another release of Frontier!, Volume 6, Issue I. Frontier! is AMSA’s official rural health magazine that aims to connect medical students to the vast world of rural medicine. We call this one, ‘A New Frontier’- a real page-turner, trust me.

You may be asking, “Irene, what is ‘A New Frontier?’”

While I’m not a fan of dwelling on the past, it seems necessary to reflect on the year that sped past us (it still feels like March 2020). From natural disasters and civil unrest to a raging pandemic, it was nothing short of chaotic.

Naturally, it was a monumental year of learning. A year that pushed us to change the lens through which we view our world. A year that drew our attention to the slowly growing cracks in our global systems. A year that highlighted the changes we desperately need to make.

Unfortunately, 2020 made the shortcomings in our rural systems more prevalent than ever and like other things, it has never been more important to look at rural health through a brand-new lens.

In this issue of Frontier!, we discuss the problems and debunk the misconceptions that draw us away from working rurally. We introduce incredible people that have taken unconventional paths that led them back into the country. Authors and artists reflect on our ever evolving environmental crisis and the way it has disproportionally affected our rural towns – a call for action.

One man by the name of Henry Ford once told me, “If you always do what you’ve always done, you’ll always get what you’ve always got.” We can all be catalysts of change when we approach rural medicine with ‘A New Frontier.’

Words cannot express how proud I am of the Editorial Team. Amani, Bridget, Nipuni, Will, and Zoe. You are all incredibly diligent people and an absolute blessing to work beside. This magazine wouldn’t be here without you guys. To Sarah, a partner in crime, thank you for being a shoulder to lean on when Frontier! took off. To the AMSA Rural Health Committee, thank you for being willing to lend a helping hand wherever it was needed. I hope you’re all as proud of the final product as I am.

On a parting note, I hope this reaches as many screens across the country as possible. From the depths of Tasmania to the corners of the West, you lovely readers are the future faces of rural health! I can’t wait to be working beside you someday. However, for now, grab a cup of tea, sit back, and please enjoy this showcase of incredible talent from across the country.