Developing a Rural Healthcare Workforce: A Rural Scholars Program
Michelle Musser, PharmD, BCPS, NCTTP
Emily Eddy, PharmD, BCACP, BC-AD
The Rural and Underserved Scholars Program, initiated within the College of Pharmacy, has also become a highly requested program within the College of Nursing.
Mission & Goals:
The Rural and Underserved Health Scholars Program (RUHSP) is a program at Ohio Northern University composed of health professionals and pre-health professional students passionate about providing care in the rural and underserved areas throughout the world. The scholars are a collective of students striving to gain the leadership skills and research experience necessary to successfully understand the unique needs of rural and underserved patient populations as well as provide the care that this unique population needs. Students will be provided mentorship, formal and informal teaching, service-learning opportunities, and patient care experiences. The Rural and Underserved Health Scholars will regularly attend meetings and functions, complete service learning, collaborate on community, clinical and research-based projects and participate in all activities.
In completing the RUHSP program, students will develop skills and confidence in providing care in a rural setting. Often rural settings face a shortage of healthcare providers; the RUHSP program seeks to assist in filling this gap with competent, experienced professionals. In addition, the RUSHP allows students to develop a unique skill set in the job market. By leveraging established community engagement and rural health initiatives, the RUHSP also serves as a point of distinction for ONU.
Video preview:
https://www.onu.edu/college-pharmacy/what-can-you-tell-us-about-learning-environment-raabe-college