Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
University of Illinois Celebrates Rural Health Day to Address Care Shortages in Rural Communities
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – The University of Illinois College of Medicine Rockford recently marked Rural Health Day, focusing on the critical healthcare shortages affecting rural communities nationwide. Celebrated on the third Thursday of November, this observance, established by the National Organization of State Offices of Rural Health (NOSORH) in 2011, honors the dedication of rural healthcare providers while highlighting the unique challenges these communities face.
With one in five Americans residing in rural areas more likely to succumb to health issues such as cancer, unintentional injuries, and heart disease, UIC aims to enhance healthcare access and quality in these regions. Hana Hinkle, dean of UIC’s Rural Health Professions, emphasizes the disparity between rural and urban health, noting that rural populations tend to be sicker, older, and poorer. “There are opportunities to improve healthcare delivery, so people won’t have to travel long distances for primary care,” Hinkle states.
Current medical students, like Avery Keesee, are inspired to pursue careers in rural medicine by the strong personal connections between healthcare providers and their patients. Keesee is particularly optimistic about the role of technology in addressing workforce shortages and enhancing care efficiency.
A consultancy by Stroudwater, working with the National Rural Healthcare Association and NOSORH, revealed that only 5.2% of healthcare providers in Illinois serve rural areas. UIC’s Rural Medical Education (RMED) Program aims to change this statistic by fostering educational pathways for students from rural backgrounds to practice in their communities after graduation. "We intentionally recruit students from underserved areas to help bridge the gap in rural healthcare," Hinkle added.
For more information on UIC’s initiatives in rural health, visit their website.
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