KU School of Medicine partners with McPherson College to promote rural health care in Kansas
Collaboration will include joint projects to aid in building a pipeline of rural students interested in medicine and other careers in health care.
The University of Kansas School of Medicine has announced a partnership with McPherson College, a four-year liberal arts college in central Kansas, to promote rural health care in Kansas.
KU School of Medicine’s campus in Salina, also in central Kansas, will be the focal point for this collaboration, which aims to increase both interest and access on the part of rural Kansas students.
Together, McPherson College and KU School of Medicine-Salina will explore partnerships in academic health science scholarships, rural health promotion, health care career development and community health resources.
dean of KU School of
Medicine-Salina
“Rural health care is in crisis,” said Tyler Hughes, M.D., dean of KU School of Medicine-Salina. “This collaboration is aimed at helping rural students have access to the pathway that leads to a satisfying career in the medical field. Teamwork between KU School of Medicine-Salina and liberal arts colleges in Kansas will aid in building a pipeline of excellent medical professionals for rural patients throughout our state.”
McPherson College students will have increased access to KU School of Medicine’s Scholars in Health Program, which provides guaranteed admissions for qualified undergraduates. Additionally, faculty, staff and students from Salina will visit McPherson College as guest lecturers in classes and at pre-professional organization activities. As part of the collaboration, KU School of Medicine also will provide a scholarship for a McPherson College student to participate in mentored student research and team-teaching experiences.
president of McPherson College
The partnership also aims to develop new service projects, co-host tabletop simulation events and facilitate connections between McPherson College undergraduate researchers and KU School of Medicine faculty and students.
“The collaboration will offer a wide range of opportunities for McPherson College students,” said Michael Schneider, Ed.D., president of McPherson College. “Building a partnership with KU School of Medicine expands opportunities for our students statewide and allows us to work with KU School of Medicine admissions on joint recruitment efforts. These initiatives will help better prepare students for careers in rural health care.”