Rural Health Group Starts 'Farm Team' Student Constituency Group

The 18,000-member National Rural Health Association, or NRHA, is cultivating its own "farm team" -- a new student constituency group for medical students and other trainees for health careers who would like to practice in rural areas

The Kansas City-based rural health advocacy group formed its 10th constituency group to step up student involvement in rural health issues at the national level, said Meaghan McCamman, NRHA policy and program services manager.

"We feel that by educating students about rural health needs and getting them more involved and vested in rural America, we can make these students advocates for rural (health)," she told AAFP News Now.

In addition to medical students, the constituency group is open to undergraduate and graduate students who are enrolled in at least 12 credit hours per semester of a health-related training program, such as nursing, dentistry, optometry, pharmacy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, medical technician, emergency medical technician or public health.

Students pay annual dues of $10 and receive a number of privileges from the association:

The new constituency group is part of the NRHA's expanded offerings to students to encourage them to one day work in rural underserved areas.

"There is an extreme health care workforce shortage in rural America. Our goal is to make students aware of the vast opportunities available to them and of the rewards that come with serving the underserved," said Sharon Hutinett, NRHA membership coordinator.

Students can apply online to become a member of the NRHA.