Alabama Farmers Celebrate 20th Rural Medicine Cohort

Continuing its longtime support of rural health initiatives, the Alabama Farmers Federation presented book scholarships to the 20th cohort of the Rural Medicine Program during a white coat ceremony in Auburn Aug. 22.

Eleven students received white coats, stethoscopes and scholarships as they began their training to serve as future physicians in rural Alabama. The Rural Medicine Program is a partnership of Auburn University's College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) and UAB Heersink School of Medicine.

The Federation's Ryan Stanford thanked students for pursuing careers that will directly impact rural communities and farm families. Stanford manages Alfa Health, the Federation's health coverage network that serves residents in Alabama, Georgia and Mississippi.

"It's our privilege to support the up-and-coming physicians who will play vital roles in maintaining the physical, mental and emotional health of folks in rural Alabama," Stanford said. "We wish these 11 go-getters the best as they continue their education."

Program Director Dr. David Bramm reflected on the program's legacy, milestones and strong outcomes. While only 3% of medical students nationwide choose rural practice, over 50% of Rural Medicine Program graduates go on to serve rural communities. That climbs to 72% among those who complete the integrated residency track in Huntsville.

"Our success has been easy because these students started out as wonderful people," Bramm said.

Members of the 20th Rural Medicine Program cohort are:

• Alona Berglund, Waterloo
• Alyssa Carlotta, Athens
• Jessica Criswell, Chatom
• Mia Deason, Clanton
• Emma Hines, Athens
• Madeline Holmes, Enterprise
• Emily Ingle, Athens
• Jesse Pittman, Geraldine
• Nathaniel Smith, Meridianville
• Kaina Thomas, Cullman
• Brady Turner, Citronelle