OUR GOALS FOR THE FUTURE OF HEALTH CARE IN RURAL COMMUNITIES

Increase the recruitment of health care providers.

1,430+ RURAL/UNDERSERVED ROTATIONS were performed by WVSOM students, more than any other medical school in West Virginia and one of the top in the nation.

Increase the retention rate of health care providers.

4 STUDENTS RECEIVED SIGN-ON INCENTIVES for accepting primary care residency programs in West Virginia.

Develop pipeline programs to attract students to rural/underserved health care careers.

1,570+ HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS were introduced to rural medicine opportunities through RHI pipeline activities.

Support the involvement of West Virginians in health education.

6 INDUSTRY-SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES were conducted for WVSOM RHI students to learn about environmental exposures that could cause injuries or diseases to West Virginia patients.

Information based on 2017-2018 academic year.

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RURAL HEALTHINITIATIVE

INFORMATION

(304)793-6568ruralhealthinitiative@osteo.wvsom.edu

www.wvsom.edu/Programs/rhi/rhi-home

RHI is a program of the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine. This program is presented with financial assistance as a grant from the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission.

Our goal is to RETAIN DOCTORS OF

OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE in rural areas

TRAINING UNIQUELY QUALIFIED D.O.s

to practice in underserved communities across the mountain state

The Rural Health Initiative (RHI) program was designed to enhance the rural/underserved primary care curriculum at WVSOM in order to produce graduates qualified to practice medicine in rural/underserved communities. Students who are accepted into the program participate in unique experiences that provide opportunities to learn about local industries and the daily lives of West Virginia residents. Students gain insight into how those factors affect the health and treatment of patients. Initiatives include exposure to the coal, timber, agricultural, and oil and gas industries, along with related safety issues.

WVSOM RHI STUDENTS HAVE A PASSION TO SERVE RURAL COMMUNITIES

HIGH SCHOOL

Pipeline activities are conducted for high school students to introduce them to rural/underserved medicine opportunities in West Virginia.

RHI assists with the following events and activities.

Anatomy lab toursThe tours are intended to immerse students in multiple learning modalities conducted in the WVSOM human anatomy laboratory facility.

Just Say KNOW Scholars ProgramThe Just Say KNOW Scholars Program was designed to educate high school students on different science topics each year. For one week every summer, students interested in science have the opportunity to completely immerse themselves in a “Just Say KNOW” camp on the WVSOM campus.

Upward Bound Program

Collaboration with HOSA (Health Occupations Students of America) and HSTA (Health Science and Technology Academy)

The Pre-Osteopathic Program is an early assurance program designed for Concord University, Waynesburg University and West Liberty University undergraduate students who have a desire to become an osteopathic physician and have identified the West Virginia School of Osteopathic Medicine as their first choice for pursuing a medical education. A WVSOM faculty mentor is matched to each student to monitor and encourage his/her science progress, as well as to answer any questions.

Green Coat ProgramThe WVSOM Green Coat Program provides undergraduate students who are interested in medical school and/or a health care profession an opportunity to gain exposure to clinical responsibilities in a hospital environment. Students work directly with a coordinator and mentor throughout the program.

Link to WVSOM Statewide Campus

Mentoring by WVSOM medical students

Rural Practice/Rural Primary Care DayWVSOM RHI sponsors this annual event where students are exposed to a panel of successful rural speakers, have the opportunity to visit rural hospital and clinic representatives and attend workshops including financial incentives.

Wilderness Medicine rotationWVSOM students have the opportunity to learn wilderness medicine through a two-week elective rotation. The wilderness medicine rotation began in 2013 and was the first one offered by an osteopathic medical school.

Rural/underserved base sites within the WVSOM Statewide Campus system

WVSOM’s Statewide Campus system for clinical rotations ensures students receive the utmost educational experience, a more stable home life and greater opportunities for students to match into state residency programs.

Community health education and outreachStudents provide information, training and services to members of the community in an effort to improve West Virginia health literacy, self management, awareness of chronic disease and healthy lifestyle habits.

RHI industry activities

Rural/underserved primary care recruitment and retentionThis program provides incentives to rural preceptors in order to enhance their own satisfaction as rural practitioners and also recognizes the critical role faculty and preceptors have in providing meaningful RHI experiences for students.

Partnership and collaboration

Mentor first- and second-year medical students

TrackingFinancial incentives are available for RHI students who match with a primary care residency in West Virginia in an effort to keep them in the state where they can provide valuable services to patients.

Involvement with WVSOM RHI events

CME opportunitiesThe RHI program provides preceptors with continuing education opportunities for licensure requirements.

Mentor third- and fourth-year medical students

PRE-MED POST-GRADUATEWEST VIRGINIA SCHOOL OF OSTEOPATHIC MEDICINE RURAL PRACTICE

AGRICULTUREanimal husbandrygrain productionfish hatcherypoultry

OIL AND GAShazards of spills, leaks and explosions

TIMBERtimberingpulp processinglumber mill

COAL MININGunderground mining exposurecoal processingsurface mining

WATER QUALITYspring waterwell waterseptic water treatment

WILDERNESS MEDICINESummit Bechtel Reserve

PIPELINE PROGRAMS MEDICAL EDUCATION RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

Insight and exposure

Links to resources and networking

Medical rotations in rural/underserved areas

Health profession collaboration

Enhancing health in rural/underserved communities

Physicians guiding students on their path to rural/underserved primary care

Career enhancement opportunities

WVSOM is No. 1 in providing primary care physicians for West Virginia. (W.Va. HEPC Health Sciences Report Card)

WVSOM was ranked one of the nation’s top medical schools for the 20th consecutive year. (U.S. News & World Report)

RHI is reaching its goals and fulfilling its commitment to improve health care in rural communities

WVSOM POINTS OF PRIDE KEY

RURAL HEALTHINITIATIVE

RHI STUDENT BENEFITSWhile all medical students at WVSOM complete a minimum of three rural/underserved rotations in West Virginia during their clinical years, participation in the Rural Health Initiative takes rural/underserved clinical exposure to a new level of engagement.

PHYSICIAN MENTORStudent doctors selected for the Rural Health Initiative program will be placed in specially-selected primary care experiences with rural/underserved West Virginia physicians and residents who serve as mentors. These physicians assist the student doctor through clinical rotations and residency.

FINANCIAL SCHOLARSHIPRHI participants will receive a scholarship while performing rural/underserved rotations and have access to financial counseling and loan forgiveness education to ensure they are maximizing funds available for service.

STUDENT HOUSINGRHI financially supports travel expenses and provides housing for primary care rotations within West Virginia during an RHI student’s fourth year of medical school.

ConsecutiveYear

20TH