UA’s Rural Scholars Programs Holds Orientation Aug.18

Note to editors/producers: The 2015-16 class of Rural Medical Scholars and Rural Community Health Scholars, as well as faculty from the College of Community Health Sciences, will be available for interviews during orientation Tuesday. Reporters/photographers interested in attending may contact Kim Eaton (205/348-8325 or kkeaton@ur.ua.edu) for a copy of the agenda. 

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences works to address the shortage of primary doctors in Alabama through its Rural Medical Scholars Program. The program admits its 20th class this year and will celebrate the milestone with special events throughout the year, beginning with a new scholar orientation.

Orientation for the 2015-16 Rural Medical Scholars and Rural Community Health Scholars (master’s degree candidates in Rural Community Health) is scheduled from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 18, at Camp Tuscoba Retreat Center in Northport.

Members of the Rural Medical Scholars 20th class are: Anooshah Ata, of Scottsboro; Helen Cunningham, of Barnwell; Tanner Hallman, of Arab; Carson Perrella, of Salem; Johnson (John) Pounders, of Leighton; Jayla Robinson, of Addison; and Harriet Washington, of Carrollton.

Rural Community Health Scholars this year are: Januar Page Brown, of Enterprise; Amellia Cannon, of Duncanville; Dylan Drinkard, of Thomasville; Caleb Mason, of Guntersville; Johnny Pate, of Moundville; Kristin Pressley, of Harvest; and Jeremy Watson, of Tuscaloosa County.

The Rural Medical Scholars Program was established in 1996 at UA’s College of Community Health Sciences. The program is a five-year track of medical studies leading to the MD degree, including a year prior to entry into medical school and four years of medical school.

Approximately 60 percent of Rural Medical Scholar graduates over the past two decades have chosen to practice in rural areas of the state; and 90 percent of Rural Medical Scholars in practice have located in Alabama.

The orientation agenda includes “getting to know each other” activities and an overview of the health needs of rural communities, the mission of the Rural Health Leaders Pipeline and related rural programs that support the philosophy of “growing our own” rural doctors and health care providers.

Each of this year’s Scholars will add a colored dot to their own home county on oversized maps showing the home counties of past Rural Medical Scholars and Rural Community Health Scholars.

Program directors and professors will discuss academic expectations and class requirements, grading policies and community involvement. Other topics include HIPPA and Ethics training and mandatory training for CCHS students. Rural Programs staff will describe the recruiting and outreach to rural youth activities in which Scholars will be involved.

Lunch and the afternoon will be devoted to meeting Rural Programs’ academic and community partners, photos and group activities. The day will conclude with dinner and time to visit with invited guests and supporters interested in meeting this year’s students.

“Orientation for the Rural Scholars is more than introductions and program expectations; it is the starting point to a year of anticipation and preparation to pursue their goals,” said Susan Guin, associate director of the Rural Medical Scholars Program.

“This year will be a time of developing lasting relationships with their peers and mentors who will be a source of friendship and support as they continue their education and into their careers,” said Guin. “Through the years, this support has come in many forms and from many sources, so we invite partners from around the state to join us in welcoming the newest class of Scholars.”

RMSP is open exclusively to college seniors and graduate students from rural Alabama who plan to go to medical school and practice medicine in a rural area. Upon acceptance to the program, Rural Medical Scholars receive early admission to the UA School of Medicine headquartered in Birmingham. Rural Medical Scholars maintain peer support group activities and receive collegial support and mentorship from rural practitioners, as well as continued administrative contact and support throughout medical training.

The program has achieved national recognition as a leader in rural medical education. Strengths of the program include its established network of state and local partners, practicing physicians as mentors and a strong peer support group through classmates and Rural Medical Scholars ahead of them in medical training or in practice. With 20 years of experience, a consistent and accomplished faculty and a curriculum focused on rural community medicine, agromedicine topics and leadership in building healthy communities, RMSP offers rural Alabama students an encouraging, supportive environment in which to prepare to become rural primary care doctors.

The Rural Community Health Scholars Program was opened to graduate students interested in additional rural health careers in 2010. This program is open to graduate students interested in all health careers and prepares students to assume leadership roles in community health in rural areas. The graduates of the program have entered the fields of public health, health administration, nursing and physical therapy, and they have continued their professional training to become nurse practitioners, physician assistants, public health practitioners, physicians and teachers/researchers.