Our Mission
EXPOSURE TO RURAL HEALTH CARE IS AN ‘ EYE-OPENING ’ EXPERIENCE
There ’ s nothing like real-world , hands-on experience , and the rural tour for first-year students at the College of Medicine is no exception . After four years of virtual learning , the in-person rural tour is back — and it is being met with rave reviews from students and faculty alike .
This program cuts to the core of the college ’ s mission , which focuses on providing patient-centered care to everyone , but with emphasis on underserved populations including elder , rural , and minority communities . Getting the new class of medical students out for a first-hand look at rural communities has been a key part of their orientation for almost 15 years .
“ For students from urban areas , it ’ s an eye-opening experience ,” said Associate Professor Kerwyn Flowers , D . O ., director of rural medical education as well as director of clinical programs . “ For students from rural areas who already are familiar with the need , it ’ s a chance to see how other communities are trying to bridge the gap .” number of students participating to about 185 each year ,” said Anthony Speights , M . D ., senior associate dean for interdisciplinary medical sciences .
Between 2014 and 2019 , the last year the tour was conducted before this year ’ s resumption , students traveled to communities in Calhoun , Gadsden , Holmes , Jackson , Jefferson , Liberty , Madison , Suwanee , Taylor and Wakulla counties in Florida and Decatur , Grady and Thomas counties in Georgia .
Speights also set about making sure the rural tour will continue in perpetuity .
The Florida Blue Foundation had previously funded it , and Speights applied to the foundation on behalf of the College of Medicine for a five-year , $ 500,000 grant , which was awarded in 2023 . A portion will be used to create an endowment to pay for the annual learning excursion .
By Audrey Post FSU College of Medicine
The tour was first begun in 2010 as the Rural Education Orientation Program ( REOP ). In 2014 , as part of the college ’ s curriculum redesign , REOP was renamed the Rural Learning Experience ( RuLE ).
“ In 2018 , we added students from our newly formed Physician Assistant Program and our undergraduate Honors Medical Scholars Program , taking the
Florida State University College of Medicine
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A REPORT TO OUR COMMUNITY