At the Elevate Conference hosted by Rural Health Education and Services (RHES) at KU School of Medicine’s Wichita campus on May 8, rural health care leaders from across Kansas had a unique opportunity to hear directly from the next generation of physicians. Four resident physicians and one third-year medical student shared candid insights into what they look for in an employer — and what drives them away.

All five panelists intend to practice in rural Kansas, and their conversation capped a full day of programming focused on addressing the rural health care workforce shortage. The goal: equip rural leaders with actionable strategies to strengthen recruitment and retention.

Panelists emphasized the importance of finding both a supportive organization and a community that’s a good fit for them and their families. Some have already committed to positions in rural Kansas, while others are still evaluating their options. 

“It was a rare look into how passionate, homegrown health care providers evaluate opportunities in rural Kansas,” said Joyce Grayson, director of Rural Health. “We’re deeply grateful they took time to share such valuable and actionable perspectives.”

Red flags and opportunities for growth

Moderated by Lynn Fisher, M.D., associate professor of family and community medicine at KU School of Medicine-Wichita, the panel discussion explored topics like work-life balance and transparency. Panelists recalled specific red flags that led them to decline opportunities, such as:  

• Leadership unable to answer basic questions 
• Lack of necessary equipment for specialty practice 
• Administrators unfamiliar with the local community 
• Gaps in care following retiring physicians 
• High staff turnover and unstable leadership 

“If I sign a contract in the middle of my second year of residency, I want the [person] I signed the contract with to be the [person] I work for when I get there,” said Garrett Koehn, M.D., noting that honesty about shortcomings can be a strength. “Some places were trying to skim over their deficiencies. I think being able to embrace the areas where you need to improve and show that you actually thought about that and have a plan [is important].”  

Start early, support students 

Third-year medical student Madeleine Davis, who grew up in Bucklin, Kansas, urged organizations to invest in students early by providing quality housing, meals, and a welcoming experience during rotations.

“Med students talk,” Davis told attendees. “If it wasn’t a good experience, we’re not going to tell anybody else to go back.” 

She advised providers to begin building relationships even before medical school. 

“Invest early,” Davis added. “Start with those high school kids who want to come shadow. Make it easy for them to come shadow.” 

Davis praised Smith County Memorial Hospital and Smith County Family Practice for streamlining her rural rotation experience and reducing administrative hurdles. 

The University of Kansas School of Medicine is one of the few medical schools nationwide that requires all students to complete a rural rotation. Many students train in or near their hometowns, and programs like the Summer Training Option in Rural Medicine (STORM) provide further exposure early in their education. 

Community fit and family considerations 

Panelists noted that their families — especially spouses — play a major role in deciding where to live and work. 

“It’s not just a decision you make for yourself,” said Samuel Bruna, M.D., a general surgery resident from Hanover who will return to northeast Kansas after completing his residency. “I absolutely love small towns.”  

Bruna will practice across three critical access hospitals, allowing him to serve a broader region while sharing costs with partner facilities.  

“Having a hospital that wants to buy into that and wants to grow with you was a big factor in getting me to make that decision,” said Bruna.  

Aaron Holt, M.D., who has committed to work for McPherson Center for Health after he completes his residency at Wesley Family Medicine in Wichita, highlighted the importance of flexibility and lifestyle. 

“I think a lot of people in our generation are willing to work but are also willing to say, ‘no, my family or my time doing other things I value is more important to me than me than necessarily being here until 6 or 7 o’clock every night,’” Holt said. 

He appreciated how his future employer connected him with a local realtor to tour the town, which helped him envision life there.  

“They knew all the hidden nooks and crannies and fun places to go,” Holt said. “It’s not just me that’s going to go there, it’s my family.” 

Support growth, not just salary 

Faith Hampton, M.D., a family medicine resident at Ascension Via Christi, encouraged organizations to provide opportunities for continued growth.  

“A lot of people who are in medical school residencies want to continue growing, want to continue to be challenged,” Hampton said. “Sometimes that looks like being able to grow a practice. Sometimes that looks like being able to easily get professional education or feel supported in attending conferences so you’re never bored in a sense, and you continue to grow as a physician.” 

Salary, she added, is important — but not everything.  

“I’d rather have work-life balance and just feel like I’m appropriately compensated than be making millions of dollars but be overworked,” Hampton said. 

Day of insight and inspiration 

The Resident Physician and Student Panel concluded a dynamic day that also featured the popular Generations in the Workforce interactive session led by Kansas Bridging Plan  Education Manager Tara Morrow and Kansas Locum Tenens Coordinator Brad Thomison. Mandi Gingras, director of education for 3RNET, delivered two retention-focused sessions at the Elevate Conference, which was sponsored by Bel Aire Recovery Center, Community Care Network of Kansas and the Kansas Center for Rural Health. 

Rural Health Education and Services, which organizes a recruiting and retention health care conference every two years, also operates the Kansas Recruitment and Retention Center — a program that connects mission-driven providers with more than 80 Kansas health care organizations across the state.