COSAM News Articles 2018 October COSAM Students Make a Difference through Rural Medicine

COSAM Students Make a Difference through Rural Medicine

Published: 10/08/2018

The College of Sciences and Mathematics (COSAM) offers a Rural Medicine Program, jointly sponsored with the University of Alabama, School of Medicine.

Dr. Larry Wit shares the value of this program, “The Rural Medicine Program gives students unique opportunities to meet the needs of Alabama’s rural communities through shadowing doctors, learning about the challenges and rewards of practicing medicine in a rural community, academically preparing them for success, and even attending an annual conference in Washington D.C.”

Adam Bonner grew up in a rural town, Toxey, Alabama. In 2010, the population was slightly more than 100 people. He was inspired by other rural doctors to pursue this field and made a difference to the people who reside in small towns.

Josh Bush loves small town life. He grew up Eufala, Alabama, and always wanted to give back through rural medicine.

Jayci Hamrick is from Haleyville, Alabama, and had to travel far to see a doctor as a child. She saw first-hand how she could help people in rural communities.

Mallory Jones is from Luverne, Alabama, a town with less than 3,000 residents and commonly referred to as “The Friendliest City in the South" on signage in the town. Jones knew the difference she could make in rural medicine and has been interested in pursuing this career choice for years.

Try Kidd was directly influenced by his primary care physician growing up in Alexander City, Alabama, which is usually know as Alex City. As Kidd progressed in school, he saw how he wanted to focus on rural medicine.

Alyssa Luckie is from Lowndesboro, Alabama, a town with a population of just over 100 people. She enjoys helping people and always feels good knowing that she can give back to people who will need her care.

Luke Stone is from Groveoak, an extremely small community in northern Alabama. Stone chose to go into rural medicine because he wants to serve people, especially the most vulnerable who may not be able to easily get healthcare.

Carly Westmoreland is from Addison, Alabama. She grew up seeing an overcrowded doctor’s office and wanted to give back to the community through a career in rural medicine.

Rural medicine students: Back row, left to right: Trey Kidd, Luke Stone, Adam Bonner and Josh Bush. Front row, left to right: Alyssa Luckie, Carly Westmoreland, Jayci Hamrick and Mallory Jones.