Rural Health Initiative (RHI)

A Passion to Serve Rural Communities

The Rural Health Initiative Program was designed to enhance the rural/underserved primary care curriculum at WVSOM in order to produce graduates qualified to practice medicine in rural/undeserved communities. 

Students who are accepted into the program participate in unique experiences that provide opportunities to learn about local industries and the daily lives of West Virginia residents. 

Students gain insight into how those factors affect the health and treatment of patients. Initiatives includes exposure to the coal, timber, agricultural plus the oil & gas industries, along with related safety issues. 

What is RHI?

West Virginia:

• RHI is a long-standing state-funded grant program to improve student interest and exposure to rural practice.
• The program is governed by state statute and supported by an annual budget.
• Recent program restructuring moved from funding a statewide community consortium to granting funds separately and independently to the state's three academic health centers.
• The Higher Education Policy Commission awards and oversees the grants, provides technical assistance, funds a statewide housing system and facilitates monthly telephone conferences among the institutions.
• Academic health centers each develop their own Rural Health Initiative program and retain control of all curricular and programmatic development.

At WVSOM:

• WVSOM recruits students from rural areas that have an interest in primary care.
• The institution emphasizes rural primary care throughout its four-year osteopathic medical education curriculum, residencies, and post-graduate support of alumni.
• Currently, 29 WVSOM students are participants in the Rural Health Initiative Program.

Our Goals: The Future of Health Care in Rural Communities​

1 - Increase the recruitment of health care providers

Rural/underserved rotations are performed by WVSOM students, more than any other medical school in West Virginia and one of the top in the nation.

2 - Increase the retention of health care providers.

RHI students received sign-on incentives for accepting primary care residency programs in West Virginia.

3 - Develop pipeline programs to attract students to rural/underserved healthcare careers.

High School and undergraduate students are introduced to rural medicine opportunities through RHI pipeline activities.

4 - Support the involvement of West Virginians in health education.

Industry-specific activities are conducted for RHI WVSOM students to learn about environmental exposure that could cause injuries or diseases to West Virginia patients.

Want to Become a Part of the Rural Health Initiative Program?

• The Rural Health Initiative Program is open to WVSOM students. In order to apply, second year medical students may:
  • Complete the RHI Program application survey
  • Submit a Curriculum Vitae
  • Provide the RHI Application Essay/Personal Statement – "Why are you interested in Rural Primary Care in WV?"
  • Letter of Recommendation
    • Please email letter to Rural Health Initiative or mail to Rebecca Thacker, 400 Lee Street N, Lewisburg WV 24901.
• Once the complete application is submitted, the application goes to the RHI Selection Committee. The student will be notified of their application status.

RHI Student Benefits

While all medical students at WVSOM complete a minimum of three rural/underserved rotations in West Virginia during their clinical years, participation in the Rural Health Initiative takes rural/underserved clinical exposure to a new level of engagement.

Physician Mentor

Student doctors selected for the Rural Health Initiative program will be placed in specially selected primary care experiences with rural/underserved West Virginia physicians and residents who serve as mentors. These physicians assist the student doctor through clinical rotations and residency.

Financial Scholarship

RHI participants will receive a scholarship while performing rural/underserved rotations and have access to financial counseling and loan forgiveness education to ensure they are maximizing funds available for service.

Student Housing

RHI financially supports travel expenses and provides housing for primary care rotations within West Virginia during an RHI student’s fourth year of medical school.

Rural Practice/Rural Primary Care Day

WVSOM RHI sponsors this annual event where students are exposed to a panel of successful rural speakers, have the opportunity to visit rural hospital and clinic representatives and attend workshops including financial incentives.

Wilderness Medicine Rotation

WVSOM students have the opportunity to learn wilderness medicine through a four-week elective rotation. In the summer of 2013, this rotation was the only wilderness medicine rotation in the country offered by an osteopathic school.