UA gives high school students look at rural healthcare careers

High school students from rural Alabama spent part of their summer at The University of Alabama exploring healthcare careers that can make a meaningful difference in their communities.

The College welcomed 38 high school students to its summer programs, where they learned about the need rural communities have for more doctors, dentists and other healthcare professionals.

Through the Rural Health Scholars, Rural Dental Health Scholars and the Medical Opportunities and Outreach in Rural Education Scholars programs, all part of CCHS's Rural Health Leaders Pipeline, the students spent five weeks on the UA campus taking college courses for credit, shadowing physicians and learning how to prepare to enter health professions education and training.

"Their experiences have provided them with a preview of what to expect when they enroll in a four-year college or university," said Cynthia Moore, assistant director for Rural Programs with CCHS. "This group has demonstrated dedication, maturity and a genuine commitment to exploring future careers."

The Rural Health Leaders Pipeline was created to address the shortage of primary care physicians in rural Alabama. The nationally recognized pipeline includes a sequence of programs from high school through medical school that recruits students from rural Alabama who are interested in healthcare careers and working as healthcare professionals in rural communities.

The Rural Health Scholars Program provides opportunities for rising high school seniors to pursue careers in medicine. Students take college courses, participate in seminars with practicing healthcare professionals and visit healthcare facilities.

The Rural Dental Health Scholars Program is for students between their junior and senior years of high school who have an interest in practicing rural dentistry. Students take college courses, participate in community engagement projects and seminars about healthcare topics, and visit healthcare facilities.

The Medical Opportunities and Outreach in Rural Education Scholars Program, or MOORE, is for high school seniors who plan to enter college in the next academic year. Students take college courses, participate in seminars, shadow physicians and other healthcare professionals, and visit healthcare facilities.

Learn more about Rural Programs on the CCHS website.

Rural Health Scholars:

• Lily Claborn, Lawrence County
• Makenzy Davis, Pickens County
• Demi Davis, Lee County
• Emma Eaton, Covington County
• Shanik Figueoa-DeLa Cruz, Baldwin County
• Amelia Gollapalli, Colbert County
• Autumn Goodrich, Eotwah County
• Madison Hall, Marengo County
• Lily Hildreth, Lamar County
• Dominic Hornberger, Colbert County
• Ella Maynard-Price, Fayette County
• Jill Moss, Pickens County
• Mackenzie Nasworthy, Henry County
• Mitchell Olvey, Cullman County
• Margarita Orozco-Lopez, Jefferson County
• Paula Perez-Cruz, Chilton County
• Ruan Ruan, St. Clair County
• Anna Schrier, Colbert County
• Stephen Scott, Jr., Elmore County
• Evan Snow, Choctaw County
• Freya Spencer, Pickens County
• Alexandria Strum, Montgomery County
• Anna Wells, Covington County

Rural Dental Health Scholars:

• Maggie Crawford, Perry County
• Daniya Davidson, Marengo County
• Jose Duran, Cullman County
• Zaylee George, St. Clair County
• Jamie Perez, DeKalb County
• Ashlynn Rexroad, Elmore County

MOORE Scholars:

• Brandon Baker, Barbour County
• LaTara Dumas, Butler County
• Tyeisha Jones, Marengo County
• Amari Long, Colbert County
• Kaida McDaniel, Calhoun County
• Brad Morris, Wilcox County
• Tamieja Taylor, Pike County
• Ashley Thurman, Choctaw County
• Morgan Vickers, Elmore County