Twelve students studying to become physicians, dentists and other health care providers and who want to practice in rural Alabama communities were recognized April 27 during a College of Community Health Sciences convocation.
The students are part of the College’s Rural Medical Scholars, Rural Community Health Scholars and Rural Dental Scholars programs, which are part of CCHS Rural Programs. The three programs are operated jointly by CCHS and the University of Alabama at Birmingham Marnix E. Heersink School of Medicine.
“We are gathered together to celebrate an incredible group of students who are a very important part of our College,” Dr. Caroline Boxmeyer, CCHS associate dean for Academic Affairs, said in welcoming remarks to the students and their families and guests. “They are truly an embodiment of the mission of our College: to improve and promote the health of individuals and communities in rural Alabama and the Southeast.”
Dr. Steven Furr, a family medicine physician and president of the American Academy of Family Physicians, provided the convocation keynote address. He encouraged students to be adaptable and to trust their instincts in their future health-care practices and in life. “I encourage you all to make the best of the opportunities you are presented with and … it will be the small things in life that will make the difference.”
The Rural Medical Scholars Program is exclusively for rural Alabama students and 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 the first two years of medical school at the main Heersink School of Medicine campus in Birmingham and then return to CCHS for their final two years of clinical education. The seven Rural Medical Scholars recognized at the convocation begin medical school this summer.
“This program was started because there was a shortage of physicians going into (practice in) rural Alabama communities,” said Dr. Holly McCaleb, assistant director of CCHS Rural Programs, as she presented an overview of the Rural Medical Scholars Program.
McCaleb said the program encourages students to consider primary care health professions. “So far, the Rural Medical Scholars Program has produced 85 physicians for practice in the state of Alabama,” she said.
Also recognized at the convocation were four Rural Dental Scholars, a new program within the College. 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.
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 receive a master’s degree in Rural Community Health. Many enter nursing, physician assistant and other allied health programs and professions.
“We are proud of our students and all they have accomplished,” said Dr. Antonio Gardner, associate professor of community medicine and population health with CCHS and director of Education and Evaluation for CCHS Rural Programs.
Dr. Drake Lavender, director of CCHS Rural Programs and a graduate of the first Rural Medical Scholars Program class, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. David Bramm, director of the Rural Medicine Program at Heersink School of Medicine, and thanked him for sharing knowledge that helped CCHS Rural Programs develop and expand new existing programs for rural Alabama students.
“Dr. Bramm has been a wonderful friend, mentor and has really helped us to expand our programs beyond where they were when I took over.”
In closing remarks, Lavender thanked the students for their hard work and positive attitudes. “It has been a pleasure to have this group this year and I look forward to seeing where everyone goes from here into the future.”
2023-24 Rural Medical Scholars:
- Morgan Bowman of Cullman
- Macie Edmondson of Slocomb
- Kayla Edward-Harris of Rockford
- Griffin Howard of Jackson
- John Ellis Kuykendall of Samantha
- Raneisha Lee of Brookwood
- Ariana Oliver of Enterprise
2023-24 Rural Dental Scholars:
- Catherine Hill of Grant
- Landon McCardle of Dothan
- Joshua Perry of Guntersville
- Aubrey Stewart of Dothan
2023-24 Rural Community Health Scholar:
- Ikeyreiah Harris of Gordo
