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 UIC Health Sciences Campus-Rockford 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 University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford 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.
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 Health Internships and Experiences
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
Lisa Masseron represented the NCRHP's Pathways Programs at Forreston High School's annual career fair yesterday, alongside April Moore MD, Family Physician for Mercyhealth FHN Forreston Family Healthcare! Together they spoke with students in grades 6 through 12 about how to pursue careers in rural healthcare, the Rural Health Careers Camp and Salud Scholars summer programs for high schoolers, and job shadowing opportunities through the Illinois AHEC Network. It was a wonderful opportunity for the students to gain valuable experience approaching the dozens of professionals who were on hand for the day to answer questions! We look forward to attending this event again with Dr. Moore for many years to come. ... See MoreSee Less
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We’re pleased to share an upcoming CEU opportunity hosted by the School of Social Work at the University of Illinois:
The Rural Monoculture Myth: Rural Realities for Equitable Social Work and Health Professions Practice
This engaging session challenges common assumptions about rural communities and explores how social work and health professionals can better understand and serve the diverse realities of rural life.
The presenter, Annie Contractor, an Illinois alum, has presented across the University of Illinois system and is known for her thoughtful, community-engaged approach and dynamic presentation style.
Learn more and register here:
socialwork.illinois.edu/2026/02/23/the-rural-monoculture-myth-rural-realities-for-equitable-socia...
Please feel free to share with your rural networks. We hope you’ll consider joining and spreading the word! ... See MoreSee Less
The Rural Monoculture Myth: Rural Realities for Equitable Social Work and Health Professions Practice – School of Social Work
socialwork.illinois.edu
The Rural Monoculture Myth: Rural Realities for Equitable Social Work and Health Professions Practice CEU Information March 13, 202612:00-1:30pm1.5 CEUs for LCSW/LSW and LCPC/LPC$20 for CEUs, $10 for ...0 CommentsComment on Facebook
Last week, the RHP 3rd-year RMED students along with Pharmacy, Dietetic, and Advanced Practice Nursing students from around the area came together to participate in a Clinical Case Simulation. Together they applied their varied experiences and education to a case-based simulation focused on healthcare delivery in a rural community! ... See MoreSee Less
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Are you - or someone you know- a rural healthcare stakeholder in the U.S.?
Rural hospitals across the U.S are facing increasing financial pressures, workforce shortages, and policy challenges that directly impact the health of our rural communities.
Dr. Kiruthika Balakrishnan, NCRHP’s post-doctorate scholar in Artificial Intelligence and Rural Medicine, is conducting a national research study on Stakeholder Perspectives on Preventing Rural Hospital Closures. She is inviting rural healthcare stakeholders to share their insights.
If you are a hospital administrator, clinician, nurse, policymaker, public health professional, or community leader working in rural healthcare, we encourage you to participate.
Please consider sharing this survey with friends and colleagues who work in rural healthcare.
• The survey takes approximately 10–15 minutes to complete
• Responses are anonymous and confidential
• Results will help inform sustainable strategies to strengthen and support rural hospitals and communities
Your voice matters in shaping the future of rural healthcare.
Please scan the QR code or click the link below to submit your response: uic.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_cXToOX4TOp4mAiG
#RuralHealth #RuralHospitals #HealthPolicy #USHealthcare #PublicHealth #criticalaccesshospitals ... See MoreSee Less
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Happy Valentine’s Day from the ‘festive Friday’ crew in the National Center for Rural Health Professions! We hope you celebrate the ones you love this weekend and always! ♥️💕 ... See MoreSee Less
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2nd year RMED student Hunter Eide is part of a select delegation of Illinois healthcare leaders that has been in Washington DC speaking to legislators on the important issues related to rural health. Hunter also serves as a member of the National Rural Health Association’s Policy Congress! ... See MoreSee Less
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