Eighteen students studying to become physicians, dentists and other health-care providers and who want to practice in rural Alabama communities were recognized April 26 at 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. The Rural Medical Scholars Program is operated jointly by CCHS and the UAB Heersink School of Medicine and the Rural Dental Scholars Program is a collaboration of CCHS and UAB School of Dentistry.
“We are proud and very excited to celebrate our students and their accomplishments,” Dr. Antonio Gardner, director of education and evaluation for CCHS Rural Programs, said in welcoming remarks to the students, their families and guests.
“On behalf of the College, I wanted to say how proud I am of all of you for completing the programs,” added Dr. Caroline Boxmeyer, CCHS senior associate dean. “You are considered an important aspect of the mission of our College, which is to support the health care of Alabamians, particularly rural Alabamians.”
Dr. Jackie Luker, associate director of CCHS Rural Programs and a former Rural Medical Scholar, provided an overview of the Rural Medical Scholars Program. “Today, we’re here to recognize and celebrate the most recent graduates in the completion of their master’s degree year,” she said. “It’s onward and upward for these graduates as they begin their medical and dental training.”
The Rural Medical Scholars Program is exclusively for rural Alabama students and includes 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 Heersink School of Medicine.
Luker said the Rural Medical Scholars Program was created in 1996 to help ease a critical shortage of doctors in rural Alabama. As of 2024, the program has placed 86 primary-care physicians into rural practice in Alabama.
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.
Dr. Brittany Anderson, a family medicine physician at Anderson Family Care in Demopolis, Ala., and a former Rural Medical Scholar, provided the convocation keynote address. Anderson completed her family medicine residency training at The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa Family Medicine Residency Program, which is operated by CCHS.
Anderson said she was bursting with pride that the students have demonstrated a commitment to rural health care and a passion for understanding the needs of rural Alabama communities. “As you embark on your next journey, remember why you chose this path,” she said. “Hold on to that passion and commitment to service. Go forth with confidence, compassion and a fierce determination that you can and will make a difference.”
Dr. Drake Lavender, director of CCHS Rural Programs and a graduate of the first Rural Medical Scholars class, presented the Distinguished Service Award to Dr. Rick Jotani, CEO and partner of Pell City Internal and Family Medicine in Pell City, Ala., and a graduate of the second Rural Medical Scholars Program class.
“Dr. Jotani has been a great friend for a very long time and a steadfast supporter of our program,” Lavender said. “He also helps recruit students interested in becoming a part of our program.”
In closing remarks, Lavender congratulated the students for their hard work and accomplishments. “We hope that we have given you want you need in the upcoming years and look forward to watching that success as it happens.”
2024-25 Rural Medical Scholars:
- James Akin of Hanceville
- Macy Birge of Slocomb
- Ally Brewer of Florence
- Kailand-Ascia Brown of Rutledge
- Townley Cornelius of Cullman
- Lauren Hay of Clanton
- Natalie Moon of Centre
- Maxim Moussad of Russellville
- Philip Ogles of Ashland
- Larry Pinkerton of Fayette
- Angela Vincent of Phenix City
2024-25 Rural Dental Scholars:
- Brittany Howard of Semmes
- Jenna Lankford of Malcolm
- Tamara Montes of Calera
- Magdalen Segura-Dowdy of Centre
- Coleman Wright of Headland
2024-25 Rural Community Health Scholars:
- Ikeyreiah Harris of Gordo
- Caroline Ricks of Clanton