VCOM 2019 Annual Report

The Purpose of Rural Outreach A n important part of VCOM’s purpose and Mission is ensuring that its students are “globally-minded [and] community-focused.” For students who hope to someday return to rural areas as physicians, the outreach programs built into the curriculum provide them with rewarding service

From the time they commence their medical education, VCOM students gain skills in patient-centered medicine through outreach activities in the communities around the campuses as well as regionally. Beginning in their first year, VCOM students are actively involved in public health, participating in local health fairs, free screening events, community health clinics, prevention education programs, mini-medical schools at rural high schools and other learning opportunities within the community, all while receiving instruction from experienced faculty and staff. Throughout their second year of medical school, VCOM students take part in weekly Interprofessional Early Clinical Experiences (IECEs), during which they work alongside faculty mentors and allied healthcare professionals including nurses, pharmacists, EMS personnel, athletic trainers and others. This practical experience helps to prepare second-year medical students for their third- year core clinical rotations, when a team approach to medical care is key. Collectively, these programs and clinics provide preventive services and health programs to hundreds of patients in areas where access to care is limited.

experiences in surrounding communities. These programs are designed to address healthcare disparities including those related to rural locations, minority populations, poverty and access to primary care. While teaching preventive care through outreach experiences, VCOM faculty seek not just to treat patients, but to guide students in improving the overall health of rural and underserved populations, reinforcing the VCOM Mission. Community Outreach Medical outreach experiences are a key component in educating students to meet

the healthcare needs in challenging environments. Through community

outreach, VCOM students experience the impact of providing care for patients who live in poor socioeconomic conditions.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

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