UA’s Rural Medical Scholars Travel to Washington, D.C., to Talk About Health Matters with Congressional Delegation

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama Rural Medical Scholars, accompanied by Dr. John Brandon, medical director of the RMS program, traveled to Washington, D.C., with physicians from the Medical Association of the state of Alabama again this year to participate in discussions with the congressional delegation about health services and government policies that affect patient care.

“The annual trip helps these future rural Alabama physicians learn how government programs affect services to patients, especially in rural areas where more residents depend on Medicare and Medicaid for basic medical care,” says Brandon, a family doctor in Gordo who entered practice there in 1981. “Joining Alabama’s doctors in the political process to help shape healthcare legislation is part of developing the skills they will need to be effective community leaders as doctors in small towns.”

Premed students in the Rural Medical Program at Auburn University, a program similar to UA’s Rural Medical Scholars Program, attended the Medical Association’s Washington, D.C., meetings this year as well. Their attendance provided the opportunity for joint participation by the two groups prior to entering medical school together this summer at the University of Alabama School of Medicine in Birmingham.

For more information, contact Brandon at jbrandon@cchs.ua.edu.

The students are: Elliott Bishop, Hamilton; Grey Naughton, Gadsden; Scott Wakefield, Double Springs; Jessica Grayson, Fayette; Sara Phillips, Sardis City; Justin Yancey, Gadsden ; Leslie Smothers, Jasper ; Ross Summerford, Faulkville; and Chad Williamson, Fort Payne.

The mission of the Rural Medical Scholars Program is to produce physicians for rural Alabama who are leaders in developing healthy communities. The Rural Medical Scholars Program was established in 1996 at the UA College of Community Health Sciences and is directed by Dr. John Wheat, professor of community medicine and internal medicine. This program is open to college seniors and graduate students who plan to go to medical school and practice medicine in a rural area.

The program is based in Tuscaloosa and conducted by UA’s College of Community Health Sciences, a branch of the University of Alabama School of Medicine. As part of their RMSP premed experience, the Scholars visit rural hospitals, conduct health fairs and health screenings, participate in other community service projects, and attend lectures and workshops.

The College of Community Health Sciences operates a comprehensive, state-of-the-art medical clinic, University Medical Center, where College faculty members conduct their medical practices and where students and residents receive clinical experience and training. The College’s research component supports faculty and student research efforts, including clinical trials.