UA’s Rural Medical Scholars Receive Scholarships from Alpha Lambda Chapter of Theta Xi

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — All eight of The University of Alabama College of Community Health Sciences’ 2009-2010 Rural Medical Scholars have been awarded scholarships from the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Theta Xi Endowed Scholarship.

Each student received $1,000 in scholarship support. The College hopes to award scholarships to Rural Medical Scholars each year.

“We greatly appreciate the College’s support and recognition of the financial burden these students face as they follow their dreams,” said Dr. John Wheat, founder and director of Rural Medical Scholars and professor in the College’s department of community and rural medicine. “We are appreciative that there may be funds for these scholarships in the future.”

The Rural Medical Scholars Program includes students selected from rural Alabama counties who are part of the class of students who spend their third- and fourth-years of medical school at the College. Scholars begin their program with a premedical year of studies that includes coursework in epidemiology, biostatistics, behavioral medicine, community clinical processes and rural environmental and occupational health. The program is part of a sequence of programs the College created about 15 years ago to help rural students enter health professions and prepare for rural service.

“I want to be a doctor, but I want to stay in a rural area,” said Justine Vines of Elmore County. “That’s what drew me to this program. Supporting us this way, with the scholarships, shows that the College is dedicated to this program.”

Added Brittney Anderson, who is from Autauga County: “It is good to know that people are interested in and support what we are doing.”

Many of the scholars say they hope to return home one day to practice medicine.

“I feel like I’m going back to help my town,” said John McDaniel of Lauderdale County.

The Alpha Lambda Chapter of Theta Xi Endowed Scholarship was established in 2006 by Theta Xi alumni to support graduate and undergraduate students enrolled in rural health care programs offered through the College.

In addition to the Rural Medical Scholar scholarships, the endowed scholarship fund provides $3,000 scholarships for TERM students who successfully complete their third year of medical school. The Tuscaloosa Experience in Rural Medicine, or TERM program, provides enhanced training in rural medical practice by introducing students to rural health issues from the perspective of practicing physicians and providing students with clinical experiences at rural primary-care practices. To date, three TERM students have completed their third year of medical school and been awarded scholarships. The College started the TERM program in 2007.

“Both of these programs – the Rural Medical Scholars Program and TERM – are examples of the innovative thinking that is needed to respond to the growing need for well-trained primary care physicians in rural Alabama,” said Dr. E. Eugene Marsh, dean of the college. “This is a critical part of the mission of the College of Community Health Sciences, and we are thankful to the Alpha Lambda Chapter of Theta Xi for their support through these scholarships.”

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.