A group of aspiring medical professionals will visit Montezuma County next week to get a first-hand look of small town life.
Future medical doctors, physician’s assistants, nurses and pharmacists will explore the non-clinical aspects of being a health professional in a small town as part of the University of Colorado School of Medicine’s weeklong Rural Track program.
“Our rural programs are important, because all but 12 of Colorado’s 64 counties are full or partial Primary Care Health Professional Shortage Areas,” said program director Mark Deutchman, M.D.
The group of 20 students starts their expedition in Cortez on Monday, June 10, where community leaders will brief them with information about culture, education, government and businesses.
The students will split into focus groups throughout the week, and investigate various topics of small-town life.
“Our goal is to identify students interested in future rural living and medical practice, and to provide them with broad-based knowledge, practical experience, faculty mentorship and group companionship that will help them explore rural practice and decide if it is right for them,” Deutchman said. “Ultimately, our goal is to increase the number of physicians who enter and remain in practice in rural Colorado.”
The program will conclude Friday, June 14, at Southwest Memorial Hospital, where student groups will make multimedia, narrative and slide presentations on their findings.
The Rural Track Program launched in 2005. Past findings include that rural people are self reliant as well as suspicious that new professionals will leave after a short time.
The Colorado Health Foundation funds the program, which includes a $500 stipend for each student.
tbaker@cortezjournal.com
