Third-Year Clinical Clerkship
Students can experience medicine outside the classroom for hands-on learning experiences in rural areas across the state with rotations in pediatrics, family medicine, OB/GYN and surgery.
Photo by Michael Kennedy, M.D.
Like many other states, the Kansas rural physician workforce is predicted to face severe shortages. As more physicians enter retirement, 30 percent of Kansas physicians will be at retirement age or beyond in the next 10 years.
New rural medical education programs in other regions of Kansas are a priority. We believe the development of rural programs such as Pittsburg will lead the way to help fill the gap in physician shortages.
The Third-Year Clinical Clerkships offer numerous opportunities to work with volunteer faculty in rural areas across the state. Volunteer faculty are physicians in group and private practice in their communities who welcome medical students into their practice for hands-on learning experiences. Medical students normally have the opportunity to see a broad range of clinical experiences during their rural rotation.
Choosing to complete all or part of a third-year clerkship at a rural location is voluntary. Clerkships that offer rural rotations include pediatrics, family medicine, OB/GYN and surgery. Additional information for each rural rotation is outlined below.
The location of availability for each clerkship is divided into five regions (Northwest, North-Central, Northeast, Southwest, Southeast and South-Central). Each region has a Regional Network Site. More information on the network sites follows.
How to Apply:
Complete the "Request to Take a Required Clerkship at a Rural Location" and submit to the clerkship coordinator.
The coordinator will obtain approval from the clerkship director and forward to the Office of Rural Medical Education, where arrangements will be made and finalized.
The administrator for Rural Medical Education will notify participants by e-mail of arrangements.
Clerkship Director
Laurel Witt, M.D.
1130 Delp
913-588-1908
lwitt2@kumc.edu
Coordinator
Kate Briseno
913-588-3317
kbriseno@kumc.edu
Length of rural rotation
Six weeks, with the first and last weeks of the rotation at KU for orientation and testing.
Location of rural rotations
Contact the Office of Rural Medical Education for current site availability in each region.
- South-Central Region
- Northeast Region
- Northwest Region
- Southwest Region
- Southeast Region
- North-Central Region
Note: Other locations may be available at the discretion of the Clerkship Director.
When to apply
At least eight weeks prior to the rotation.
Clerkship Director
Laura Parks, M.D.
3000 Wescoe Pavilion
913-588-6200
parks@kumc.edu
Clerkship Co-Director
Rachel DiTeresi, M.D.
3000 Wescoe Pavilion
913-588-6200
rditeresi@kumc.edu
Coordinator
Adam Bradley
3041 Delp
913-588-3244
abradley3@kumc.edu
Length of rural rotation
Two week rotations.
Location of rural rotations
Contact the Office of Rural Medical Education for current site availability.
- Hays
- Chanute
- Pittsburg
- Hutchinson
When to apply
Students should submit their request forms at least six weeks before the start of the rotation.
Clerkship Director
Lore Nelson, M.D.
913-945-6544
lnelson@kumc.edu
Clerkship Co-Director
Grade Brouillette, D.O., MBA
913-588-6310
gbrouillette@kumc.edu
Coordinator
Patty Cook
G023 Miller
913-588-6310
Length of rural rotation
Two, four or six weeks
Location of rural rotations
Contact the Office of Rural Medical Education for current site availability.
- Newton
- Pittsburg
- Manhattan
When to apply: At least 60 days prior to the rotation..
Clerkship Director
Peter DiPasco, M.D.
5032 Delp
913-588-3173
pdipasco@kumc.edu
Coordinator
James Soulikias
913-588-7323
jsoulikias@kumc.edu
Length of rural rotation
Participants will be selected from interested students to complete three weeks at a rural site.
Location of rural rotations
Contact the Office of Rural Medical Education for current site availability in each region.
- Hays
- McPherson
- Parsons
- Salina
- Hoisington
When to apply
Students should submit request at least six weeks before the start of the rotation.
Third Year: Rural Opportunities for Clerkships (ROC-3)
Extended Rural Clerkship in Pittsburg, Kansas (P-ERC)
The P-ERC allows up to four students to complete a portion of their third-year clerkships in a rural location. Students can spend up to 12 months at the rural site where they will complete clerkships in family medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, half of the surgery rotation. If students elect, they can also complete the 4th year courses in rural preceptorship, sub-internship, critical care and possibly a rural elective.