Available Experiences
Rural Health Experience (RHE)
The Rural Health Experience (RHE) program is an innovative opportunity for health professions students to observe rural healthcare providers and their communities.
What to expect as an RHE student:
- Shadowing experiences in multiple hospital departments including but not limited to EMT/ER, medicine, pharmacy, physical therapy, social work and behavioral health, public health, and laboratory and technical specialists
- Shadowing experiences within the local community at clinics and/or health departments
- Meetings with administration and observations of inter-professional team meetings, when available
- The experience is scheduled between 3 – 5 days. The schedule will be dependent on healthcare staff availability at the healthcare organizations in the community.
Program objectives for RHE students:
- Learn about the social and health characteristics, needs, and resources of a specific rural Illinois community.
- Understand the roles and responsibilities of different healthcare providers in a rural community.
- Reflect on a future career as a healthcare provider in a rural community and potential interest in this location as a future career location.
The experience:
Limited meals are provided to RHE students. Students must have their own reliable transportation while completing the RHE. Housing during the RHE will only be provided if a student does not live within 60 miles of the host site. Time in the evenings will be available for students to explore the community.
RHE host sites are located throughout the state. Students will have the opportunity to rank their site locations on the RHE application. Once matched to a site, students will work with a representative from the host site to schedule the dates of their RHE.
Please note that it takes from four to eight weeks to set up the RHE once accepted. Please keep this length of time when providing your availability on the RHE application.
RURAL HEALTH EXPERIENCE FAQs
2026 RHE Availability
Yes! The RHE Program is available in 2026. Please note the available dates for the RHE at some of our host sites. These are the only dates that host sites are offering RHEs. If dates are not listed, then the host site is able to accept students at various times of the year but especially during winter and spring breaks of the college semester. Please keep these time frames in mind when sharing your availability in the application.
The RHE takes at least four to eight weeks to plan the shadowing schedule. Please keep this time frame in mind when asked about your availability in the RHE application.
The following rural Illinois hospitals and healthcare organizations are hosting RHEs this year:
- Carle Richland Memorial Hospital, Olney, IL (https://carle.org/locations/carle-richland-memorial-hospital).
- Must be at least a rising junior in college and in a health major at the time of application.
- Clay County Hospital and Medical Clinics, Flora, IL (https://claycountyhospital.org/)
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services, Gibson City, IL (https://www.gibsonhospital.org/home).
- Must be at least a rising junior in college and in a health major at the time of application.
- Graham Health System, Canton, IL (https://www.grahamhealthsystem.org/).
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- Spring/Summer opportunities are now full; Applications will be accepted at this site beginning September 1, 2026
- Memorial Hospital, Carthage, IL (https://www.mhtlc.org/).
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- Spring/Summer opportunities are now full; Applications will be accepted at this site beginning September 1, 2026
- Memorial Hospital, Chester, IL (https://www.mhchester.com/).
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- Pinckneyville Community Hospital, Pinckneyville, IL (https://pvillehosp.org/).
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- 2026 RHE Dates: Tuesday, March 10 – Friday, March 13, 2026
- Sparta Community Hospital, Sparta, IL (https://www.spartahospital.com/)
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- Staunton Community Hospital, Staunton, IL (https://www.stauntonhospital.org/)
- Must be at least a rising junior in college and in a health major at the time of application.
- Wabash General Hospital, Mt. Carmel, IL (https://www.wabashgeneral.com/).
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- Warner Hospital and Health Services, Clinton, IL (https://warnerhospital.org/).
- Can be a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student in college in any major to apply.
- Warner Hospital is no longer accepting applications for 2026
Please note that programs may be subject to change to ensure the safety of participants and those providing the educational experience. Notifications of change to the structure of the program will be announced to students/participants as these decisions are made. Student expectations remain unchanged unless otherwise specified.
Please contact Beth Squires at esquires@uic.edu if you have questions
What will my days be like during the RHE?
Students spend the majority of their RHE shadowing a variety of health professionals in the hospital and/or surrounding community. These shadowing experiences include those of the students’ disciplines as well as those that are not. This provides an opportunity to witness how interprofessional teams work together in a rural facility as well as how healthcare is delivered at multiple levels.
A typical day will begin at 8:00 a.m. and end at 4:00 p.m., although some adjustments may be made depending on the rotation and other events available during your stay.
The RHE also provides opportunities for students to meet with hospital administration and/or human resources to discuss their professional interests and future opportunities at their site.
Where will I be staying?
Housing will only be provided to accepted students who do not live within 60 miles of the host site. The host sites will arrange housing which may include local apartments or hotels. Accepted students who are eligible for housing will receive detailed information on housing for their site in advance of the program.
Where will I get my meals?
Meals will be dependent upon the site. Some sites can offer in-house options while other sites may provide reimbursement or gift cards to locations within the community. Sometimes networking meals may be scheduled with administration or other hospital representatives. Accepted students are encouraged to budget for some additional costs for meals and other items to ensure that all preferences are met.
When will I complete my RHE?
Once a site has approved their match, students will be connected with their site contact(s) by email. Students will work with their site to schedule the dates of the RHE. Therefore, the schedule can be tailored to the needs of student! The majority of RHEs are scheduled Monday through Friday.
Please note that it can take up to eight weeks to schedule a RHE. Please keep this length of time in mind when entering your availability on the RHE application.
What should I wear?
Dress for your experience depends on the work environment. Plan to wear business casual attire unless notified otherwise. Scrubs may be available for certain rotations, so students who have these are welcome to bring them.
Examples of business casual attire include khakis and dress pants, button-up and/or collared shirts, knee-length skirts and dresses, and clean closed-toe shoes. No jeans, shorts, open-toed shoes, short dresses/skirts, tank tops, or t-shirts. Body tattoos must be covered and jewelry worn at a minimum.
Are there immunization requirements to complete an RHE?
Participating RHE hospitals may require immunization paperwork and other proof of recent vaccinations (including a recent COVID-19 vaccine and influenza shots). It is recommended that students plan for this accordingly in anticipation of acceptance into the program.
The Rural Health Experience is available year-round based on student and hospital availability, especially during winter and spring breaks of the academic year.
It takes at least four to eight weeks to plan a RHE. Please keep this time frame in mind when applying for the program and providing your availability.
The application also requires a well-written personal statement and current resume. Only fully completed applications that include a personal statement and resume will be reviewed.
This work is conducted by the Illinois Area Health Education Centers Network Program, funded by grant No. U77HP26847 from the Health Resources and Services Administration and administered by the National Center for Rural Health Professions at the University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine Rockford.
Eligibility Requirements
The program gives preference to Illinois college students who are motivated to learn more about health careers in a rural Illinois region and express an interest in working in such areas after completing the program. Please check the Frequently Asked Questions under the RHE Availability tab for the eligibility requirements for each of the host sites.
Applying to the program does not guarantee participation in a shadowing experience, as it depends on the availability of program host sites and budget constraints.
For eligibility related or other questions, please contact Beth Squires at esquires@uic.edu.
Transportation is not provided by the host site. Accepted students must use their own vehicle while completing the RHE.
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