FROM UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA
TUSCALOOSA, AL – The University of Alabama’s College of Community Health Sciences recently welcomed the 2021-2022 class of its Rural Medical Scholars and Rural Community Health Scholars programs for students studying to become rural physicians or considering other health careers.
The Rural Medical Scholars Program is for rural Alabama students who want to become physicians and practice in rural communities. The program includes a year of study, after students receive their undergraduate degree, and leads to a master’s degree in rural community health and early admission to the University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Medicine.
The 2021-2022 class of Rural Medical Scholars includes:
Megan Baggett of Grove Hill earned a bachelor’s degree in professional health sciences, magna cum laude, from the University of South Alabama.
Colton Clayton of Locust Fork earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Phillip Hensley of Verbena earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise science and wellness, magna cum laude, from Jacksonville State University.
Belle LouAllen of Moulton earned bachelor’s degrees in psychology and Spanish from The University of Alabama, and a Master of Public Health Degree from UA.
Emma Anne McKinley of Sheffield earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, cum laude, from The University of Alabama.
John Robert Moon of Centre earned a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences, magna cum laude and with Distinguished Honors, from the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Blaine Newman of Helena earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Alabama and is currently working on a Master of Science in Population Health Sciences Degree from UA.
Venu Reddy of Lanett earned bachelor’s degrees in cell and molecular biology and history from Tulane University.
Timberly Washington of Demopolis earned a bachelor’s degree in public health from the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and a master’s degree in biomedical and health sciences from UAB.
Tameron Williams of Pell City earned a bachelor’s degree in biology, with University Honors, from The University of Alabama.
The program is a highly selective, pre-medicine and medical education program of UA, the UAB School of Medicine and UA’s College of Community Health Sciences, which also serves as the Tuscaloosa Regional Campus of the UAB School of Medicine in the education of medical students.
After an initial year of study, scholars spend their first two years of medical school at the UAB School of Medicine’s main campus in Birmingham and return to CCHS for their third and fourth years of medical school – the clinical education and training years.
Founded in 1996, the Rural Medical Scholars Program to date has placed 78 physicians into practice in rural Alabama and has been cited nationally as a model initiative.
The Rural Community Health Scholars Program is for rural Alabama graduate students not enrolled in the Rural Medical Scholars Program but who are interested in health care careers. Students take graduate-level courses; participate in farm field trips; shadow rural physicians; assist with health fairs and screenings or other community service projects; and attend lectures and workshops focused on rural health topics. Additionally, scholars participate in peer support group activities and receive mentorship from rural health practitioners.
The 2021-2022 class of Rural Community Health Scholars includes:
Rolonda Burks of Greensboro earned a bachelor’s degree in exercise sciences from the University of West Alabama.
Cayla Gilliland of Cottondale earned a bachelor’s degree in psychology, summa cum laude, from The University of Alabama.
Ben Schwartz of Moundville earned a bachelor’s degree in biology from The University of Alabama.
Graduates of the program, who earn a master’s degree in rural community health, have entered the fields of nursing, physical therapy, public health and health care administration.
The Rural Medical Scholars and Rural Community Health Scholars programs are part of the college’s efforts to address the shortage of primary care physicians in Alabama, particularly in rural communities.
“Alabama is a disproportionately rural state, and medical education programs that develop rural physicians and other health care professionals are vital,” said Dr. Richard Friend, dean of CCHS.
The University of Alabama, part of The University of Alabama System, is the state’s flagship university. UA shapes a better world through its teaching, research and service. With a global reputation for excellence, UA provides an inclusive, forward-thinking environment and nearly 200 degree programs on a beautiful, student-centered campus. A leader in cutting-edge research, UA advances discovery, creative inquiry and knowledge through more than 30 research centers. As the state’s largest higher education institution, UA drives economic growth in Alabama and beyond.
