The Rural Medicine Program is a five-year program that trains physicians to serve in the areas of greatest necessity: rural and small-town Alabama.
The Rural Medicine Program includes a year of prematriculation study at the post-baccalaureate level in the College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn University, followed by four years of medical school. RMP students complete their clinical training at the Heersink School of Medicine Huntsville Regional Medical Campus.
The prematriculation year may be completed in three ways:
- Auburn undergraduates may apply as juniors and complete the RMP curriculum as their fourth year of undergraduate school with careful planning and scheduling.
- Students from any college may apply as seniors and complete the prematriculation year either as a post baccalaureate student or obtain a master’s degree in the process.
- Students who have already graduated with at least a bachelor's degree may complete the prematriculation year either as a post baccalaureate student or obtain a master’s degree in the process.
The program is run by the Office for Family Health, Education and Research.
Curriculum
Year 1
Students complete prematriculation courses at Auburn University, including classes specifically designed for the academic needs of each individual student.
Years 2 & 3
Students complete their pre-clinical coursework at our campus in Birmingham, along with extracurricular activities emphasizing rural medicine.
Years 4 & 5
Students complete their clinical rotations at Huntsville Regional Campus with special courses and rotations in rural medicine.
Students in the Rural Medical Program are also provided support to attend national meetings of the Alabama Academy of Family Practice and the National Student American Academy of Family Practice. Students also participate in the Medical Association of the State of Alabama’s annual Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., where they are introduced to the U.S. Surgeon General and members of Alabama’s congressional delegation. Involvement in the AAFP, MASA and Family Medicine Interest Group broadens the students’ medical school experience both in education and community service.
Application Process
See the full application requirements.
“This program has been a blessing. It has thoroughly prepared me for medical school and strengthened my desire to become a family physician”.
“My year at Auburn was one of the best I have had since starting college. I feel that this greatly prepared me for medical school, especially in the area of clinical skills”.
“I have really enjoyed my pre‐matriculation year with RMP and feel prepared to start medical school. The strong network of program mentors and support has been invaluable”.
Contact
David L. Bramm, MD Director Rural Programs
UAB Heersink School of Medicine
Huntsville Regional Campus
davidbramm@uabmc.edu