Deadline for health professions scholarship opportunities is December 3

The National Center for Rural Health Professions (NCRHP) offers three exciting summer opportunities for health professions students interested in gaining experience in rural healthcare. The programs cater to many student needs, varying in location, benefits, and duration. Below is a short description of each program. Attached to my email is a one-page flier that can be easily displayed for students in common areas and advising offices.

Please connect students with these professional opportunities. Applications will be available Monday, December 3^rd!

6-Week Rural Interprofessional Preceptorship Program

The Preceptorship program is a full-time opportunity set in two rural communities in Illinois: Gibson City and Centralia. Four students are selected for each site and spend each week shadowing different healthcare professionals within the community.

Students work together in weekly classroom sessions and for their Community Service Learning (CSL) project, which is the culminating experience of the program and allows students to apply their understanding of healthcare to a real-life community health priority.

Rural Health Experience

A great opportunity for students interested in a short-term commitment. The RHE program is a 3-5 day rural immersion opportunity in which students shadow different healthcare professionals within a rural Illinois community. This is a great opportunity for students to network within healthcare facilities and understand how healthcare is delivered at multiple levels within a rural community.

Locations for the RHE are available across the state, and dates are dependent upon the schedules of the sites and students.

Camp Counselor/ Camp Counselor Leader- Rural Health Careers Camp

Camp counselors will assist in the overall day-to-day operations of the Rural Health Careers Camp: a four-day, overnight camp for high school students interested in healthcare. Camp counselors are also expected to serve as mentors to students, providing insight on their experiences pursuing a health-related degree. Most importantly, their role is to ensure the care and well-being of the campers.

Camp Counselor Leaders will assume additional responsibilities prior to – and during- the program to assist the Project Coordinator in facilitating the camp. Both camp counselors and camp counselor leaders must stay in the dorms each night of the camp and will be paid for their time and service to the program. 

For interested students:

Students who have completed at least sophomore year of undergraduate studies (by the start of the program) as well as graduate and professional-level students are encouraged to apply. Preference goes to students with rural backgrounds with interests in rural healthcare. Questions can be forwarded to Vicky Rhine at [email protected].

For more information, check out the Student Opportunities page at ncrhp.uic.edu.