The following is compiled from an HSU news release:
Humboldt State University and the University of Illinois are encouraging and supporting medical students return to their rural communities, addressing the health care needs of Native Americans and their communities.
The Rural Medical Education (RMED) Program, located on the University of Illinois Rockford campus, identifies and recruits candidates from rural areas with intentions to return to home communities or serve similar communities. RMED students complete a Rural Health Professions curriculum along with the traditional medical curriculum, preparing students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes required to be effective rural health professionals. The RMED program has a 70 percent success rate, the second highest success rate in the country for placing medical doctors in rural communities.
The Native American Pathways Program, the new partnership between HSU and University of Illinois, provides a clear pathway to the medical profession, including four years of education at HSU in preparation for medical school, four years of medical school at the University of Illinois RMED Program and assistance in finding residency education positions in the Arcata/Eureka area. Up to two students will be selected to participate in the Pathway program each year.
Students recommended under Pathways programs have a 95 percent acceptance rate at RMED. Admitted students pay in-state tuition and receive individual advising for pursuing grants and scholarships to support completion of the four-year medical degree.
Students at any stage in their college career can apply for the Pathways program, however, first round of applications end March 1, 2019. HSU’s College of Natural Resources & Sciences are urging third-year students on track to graduate in 2020 to apply.
The Native American Pathways Program seeks Native American and non-Native American students. To learn more about HSU pre-medical programs, contact HSU Pre-Medical Advisor and Professor Jianmin Zhong at jz15@humboldt.edu. To apply for the Native American Pathways Program, call the College of Natural Resources & Sciences Dean’s Office at 707-826-3256.
