Keeping doctors and other health professionals down on the farm was the focus of a student-organized, first-of-its-kind workshop at the UI Carver College of Medicine June 23-27. The week-long event, dubbed the Rural Health Scholars program, brought together 23 allopathic and osteopathic medical, physician assistant, nurse practitioner and dental students from around the country to discuss health and safety issues, rural health policy and health care workforce development.

Participants—many with farm or small-town backgrounds and all with a strong interest in rural health care—heard from experts, engaged in panel discussions and received training in leadership skills such as advocacy and grant writing. The week also included field trips to farms in nearby communities, including an Old Order Amish family farm near Kalona.

Lauren Hughes, a fourth-year UI medical student, developed the program and obtained $13,000 to fund it. The money came from the National Association of Community Health Centers (NACHC), the UI Office of the Provost, the Carver College of Medicine and the Office of Student Affairs and Curriculum and was channeled through the American Medical Student Association Foundation, which joined the College in hosting the event. (more…)