Area Students Learn About Rural Health Care at UA

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Two select groups of students from across the state were recently on campus for the Rural Health Scholars and Rural Minority Health Scholars Programs in The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences.

These two programs introduce students from rural areas to college life and give them an orientation to the need for health and medical professionals in communities like their own. The Rural Health Scholars are rising high school seniors and the Rural Minority Health Scholars are recent high school graduates who will be attending college.

Rural Health Scholars included (by home county): Calhoun-Caley Diggs, Cleburne-Kaci Smith,  Franklin-Chance Wooten, Geneva-Blake Beagles, Hale-Jasmine Knox, ShaKristal Williams, Houston-Monica Venegas, Jackson-Clyde Kilgore, Lauderdale-David Dial, Lawrence-Ethan Boston, Limestone-Sam Allen, Marion-Madison Peoples, Marshall-Blake King, Mobile-Garrett Franklin, Monroe-Lacie Tuberville, Taylor Sims, Perry-Earl Johnson, Matthew Morris, Shelby-Danielle Parker, Sumter-Brittnay Bonner, Walker-Austin Merchant, Washington-LaRhonda Moore, Hannah Kittrell, Winston-Jayla Robinson, Pickens-John Morgan Owens and Anthony Wilder.

Rural Minority Health Scholars included (by home county): Choctaw-Veronica Coleman, Hale-Teremy Jackson, Marengo-Clinteshia Ridgeway, Christle Agee, Monroe-Markquail McCord, Perry-Shaniqua Bagley, Pickens-Michaela Martinez, Harriet Washington, Tallapoosa-Stephanine Potts, Washington-Jonathan Dennis.

These students, chosen based on their academic achievements and interest in rural health care, come to UA during the summer and take courses for college credit and to attend seminars. Cynthia Moore and Dr. John Wheat of CCHS direct the programs.

After some 19 years and $6 million in support from the state, UA’s Rural Health Programs have benefitted the state by urging high school and college students to follow careers in rural medicine, Wheat notes. Among the programs that have benefitted Alabamians, 471 rising high school seniors from 66 Alabama counties have participated in the Rural Health Scholars program and 98 high school graduates from 33 counties have participated as Rural Minority Health Scholars.