TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences recently welcomed 11 students to the Rural Medical Scholars Program and the Rural Dental Scholars Program, both part of the College’s Rural Health Leaders Pipeline.
The pipeline was created to address the shortage of primary care physicians and dentists in Alabama’s rural communities.
“We are excited to welcome our new classes of Rural Medical Scholars and Rural Dental Scholars to campus,” said Dr. Drake Lavender, director of CCHS Rural Programs. “This year marks the 30th anniversary of Rural Medical Scholars, which has established itself as one of the premier rural medical education programs in the country. Our Rural Dental Scholars program enters its third year and has shown great promise in improving access to oral health care in rural Alabama.”
Rural Medical Scholars Program
The Rural Medical Scholars Program is a five-year medical education program exclusively for rural Alabama students who want to become physicians and practice in rural communities. The program includes a year of study, after students receive their undergraduate degree, that leads to a master’s degree in rural community health and early admission to the UAB Heersink School of Medicine.
Rural Medical Scholars spend their first two years of medical school at the Heersink School of Medicine’s main campus in Birmingham and return to CCHS for their final two years of medical school, which are the clinical education years.
The 2025-2026 class of Rural Medical Scholars includes Kelsei Elmore, of Demopolis; Skyler Hall, of Hazel Green; John Rose, of Camden; Dylon Wallace, of Cullman; Kenyanna Williams-Horn, of Oneonta; and Kaiden Wilson, of Jasper.
Rural Dental Scholars Program
The Rural Dental Scholars Program is exclusively for students from rural Alabama and provides a separate admissions pathway to the UAB School of Dentistry. The program includes a year of study and a master’s degree in rural community health, after students receive their undergraduate degree, and early admission to the UAB School of Dentistry.
During the year of study at CCHS, students take biomedical science courses designed to adequately prepare scholars for a rigorous dental school curriculum. They also participate in seminar courses in rural health, community engagement experiences and shadowing dental providers.
The 2025-2026 class of Rural Dental Scholars includes Isabella Brakefield, of Calera; John Moore, of Toney; Carson Peevy, of Holtville; Jasey Wallace, of Guntersville; and Brooklyn Wilson, of Jasper.
Rural Community Health Scholars Program
CCHS also welcomed Abbi Calhoun and Caroline Ricks, both from Clanton, as Rural Community Health Scholars.
The Rural Community Health Scholars Program is for rural Alabama college graduates interested in health professions. Scholars complete a year of studies alongside the Rural Medical Scholars and, like the Rural Medical Scholars and Rural Dental Scholars, receive a master’s degree in rural community health.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides a forward-thinking environment and over 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
Contact
Kandis Snyder, UA College of Community Health Sciences, kasnyder2@ua.edu