Leading excellence in healthcare for rural communities
Our Vision
Leading excellence in healthcare for rural communities.
Our Mission
As experts in rural health, our mission is to improve the health and well-being of rural communities through education, workforce development, community partnerships, and policy.
The National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP) at the University of Illinois Chicago College of Medicine Rockford (UICOMR) strives to meet the health care needs of rural residents and their communities in Illinois, around the nation and throughout the world. Certified by the Illinois Board of Higher Education since 2003, this UICOMR center has programs and collaborative partnerships that have become successful models for education, service, research and policy related to rural health involving multiple health professions.
FEATURED PROGRAM
RURAL HEALTH TRANSFORMATION PROGRAM
The National Center for Rural Health Professions at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford is supporting Illinois’ rural health workforce strategy through planning, partnership development, and implementation support connected to the Rural Health Transformation Program.
Rural Health Professions (Academic Programs)
NCRHP’s academic programs in medicine, nursing, pharmacy and social work offer comprehensive add-on curriculum which gives students the unique opportunity to train directly in rural communities across the State of Illinois. Students learn firsthand about the issues facing rural health care and are prepared to serve as leaders in underserved rural communities.
IL AHEC
Established in 2010, the HRSA funded Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Network Program has nine regional centers throughout the state to serve both rural and urban underserved residents through access to health professions education, health careers development and community and public health promotion activities.
Native American Pathways
This program is designed to identify, recruit, support and graduate Native American students interested in pursuing a health professions degree and returning to their tribal communities to practice rural medicine, pharmacy or nursing.
Rural Pathways Programs
The NCRHP pathway programs address the rural health provider shortage by offering students learning opportunities as early as middle school and high school. Students can participate in summer camps, multi-week immersion experiences, and job shadowing rotations in rural communities. Participants of the NCRHP pathway programs will increase their awareness of and experience with many healthcare disciplines.
Research
Faculty and students at the NCRHP are passionate about rural health issues, policy and advocacy. Read some of the powerful research driving our efforts to address rural health inequities and improve access to health care in rural and underserved urban communities.
Research
Faculty and students at the NCRHP are passionate about rural health issues, policy and advocacy.
Read some of the powerful research driving our efforts to address rural health inequities and improve access to health care in rural and underserved urban communities.
News
Congratulations to our RMED students!
We are proud to recognize fourth-year RMED students Randi Rotramel, Melissa Singleton, and Alyssa Steege who were recently inducted into the Alpha Omega Alpha (AOA) Medical Honor Society.
AOA is the national medical honor society, recognizing medical students who demonstrate excellence in scholarship as well as qualities including leadership, trustworthiness, compassion, service to others, and dedication to the doctor-patient relationship.
We are incredibly proud to see these RMED students recognized for their accomplishments and their commitment to becoming compassionate physician leaders.
Congratulations, Randi, Alyssa, and Melissa, on this well-deserved honor! ...
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Happy Wednesday!
We are excited to be back again this week with another fun feature on a first year RMED student. Without further ado, we'd like to introduce you to Claire Burton!
1. What is your hometown?
Birmingham, MI and Charleston, IL
2. Which college did you attend and what is your undergraduate degree in?
University of Michigan, Major in Biology, Health and Society, Minor in Computer Science
3. Why did you choose to focus on rural medicine?
I chose to focus on rural medicine because of my own experiences working in rural healthcare in Illinois and the close mentorship I've had from doctors there. There is a great opportunity to make a difference in your patients' lives as a rural doctor. I aspire to grow into the type of compassionate, resilient physician I have seen modeled for me in these communities.
4. What has been something you have found to be an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise during your RMED experience so far?
As an RMED group, we had the opportunity to meet each other a few times before school started. It was so nice to see familiar faces on my first day of orientation. We are already such a tight-knit and supportive group, which is all I could hope for in a medical school. Also, I'm very grateful for the faculty's commitment to providing a learning environment where we feel safe to try and to be wrong.
5. What advice would you give to students applying to medical school? How would you encourage them to consider rural health?
Let your curiosity guide you! Try as many new experiences as possible, clinical and non-clinical, working and volunteering! Ask for advice from current med students. Have them read your statements/essays and give feedback! If you don't know anyone, ask around or use online resources to find med students who went to the same school or worked at the same place as you.
One thing I would tell students applying to med school about rural medicine is that participating in a rural medicine program doesn't mean you are restricted to specializing in family medicine. Rural areas need hospitalists, general surgeons, orthopedic surgeons, emergency medicine doctors, neurologists, and many other specialties. If you're curious, look at the RMED match lists from previous years!
6. What hobbies/interests do you have outside of school?
I recharge by being outside, including hiking, running, and recently, cycling! I have been exploring bike paths with friends in Rockford and just across the border in Wisconsin. I have loved joining not only the UICOM Run Club, but the Rockford Verus Run Club! I can also be found on my apartment's rooftop patio chilling with a book.
Thank you, Claire, for taking the time to let us get to know you a little better! We are looking forward to continuing to learn more about your fellow "Class of 2030" classmates over the next couple of months. See you next week! ...
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We're hiring! View the full job posting at the link in the comments for a complete list of responsibilities, qualifications and to apply! ...
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We’re pleased to share this upcoming opportunity from the University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford with our rural health partners, providers, and colleagues across the region to join us for this lecture on health care quality and patient safety. ...
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Congratulations to Hunter Kienast on presenting his research on behalf of his team of RMED students Randi Rotramel, Gianna Sagona, Charlee Stewart and supported by Dean Hinkle; “Barriers to Maternal Healthcare in Rural Illinois: A Provider Perspective,” at the Illinois Public Health Association Annual Meeting!
This work highlights the real-world challenges rural providers face in ensuring access to maternal healthcare and helps elevate the voices of communities and clinicians across rural Illinois.
We are so proud to see our students contributing meaningful research that can help inform stronger systems, better policy, and healthier rural communities.
Great work, Hunter! ...
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Happy Wednesday!
We're thrilled to have our RMED students back on campus, and to be seeing so many new faces around the halls again! We are excited to bring you our latest series of social media "Get To Know Me" weekly bios on our new class of M1 RMED students, beginning today. First up, we are happy to introduce you to Abby Athmer!
1. What is your hometown?
Highland, Illinois
2. Which college did you attend and what is your undergraduate degree in?
Maryville University in St. Louis, Missouri.
Major: Biology
Minor: Chemistry
3. Why did you choose to focus on rural medicine?
I chose to focus on rural medicine because I love the hometown comradery created in rural areas. The Highland community in which I grew up has been so supportive and integral in my success in medicine so far, and I can't wait to return to the community as a physician to give back! Additionally, I am passionate about increasing rural citizens' access to healthcare so that travel costs do not have to correspond with medical care.
4. What has been something you have found to be an unexpected, yet pleasant surprise during your RMED experience so far?
One thing I love about the RMED community is how supportive everyone is of each other's success! Within the first few weeks of school, I have already been able to feel the engagement and encouragement from the RMED students and staff on a daily basis!
5. What advice would you give to students applying to medical school? How would you encourage them to consider rural health?
My advice when applying to medical school is to BE YOURSELF; everyone else is taken! It is really easy to believe you have to do certain things, act a certain way, and have certain goals in order to secure your spot in a medical school program. I am here to tell you that being your authentic self is much more powerful than being society's idea of a "perfect medical student". Work hard, be you, you got this!
I would encourage incoming medical students to consider rural health by reminding them of the need that rural citizens have for physicians in all specialties! Practicing in rural healthcare creates a tangible, observable, positive effect on the people that surround you, and the place you call home!
6. What hobbies/interests do you have outside of school?
Outside of school I love to hang out with my family, friends, and dogs! I enjoy hunting with my dad and grandpa, riding around in tractors with my boyfriend, and enjoying a nice pool day with my mom and friends! I also enjoy cooking, working out, and being active in the community!
Thank you, Abby, for taking the time to let us get to know you a little better! We are looking forward to learning more about your fellow "Class of 2030" classmates over the next couple of months. See you next week! ...
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