Students Begin 2017 Rural Medicine Internships

During the URMED internship, students are introduced to a variety of clinical and healthcare practices at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center and other area rural hospitals.

The Undergraduate Rural Medicine Education and Development (URMED) program selected three Buena Vista University students for its January 2017 program, which included a white coat ceremony and a three-week internship.

The students selected for the January 2017 URMED internship were Christian Kladstrup, a senior biology major from Spencer; Jacob Braddock, a senior biology major from Swea City; and Jacob Staudt, a senior biology and chemistry major from Forest City.

The URMED internship is awarded to select BVU pre-med students who have an interest in practicing rural medicine. During their internship, the students are introduced to a variety of clinical and healthcare practices at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center (BVRMC) and other area rural hospitals. The URMED recipients are also each given a $3,000 stipend provided by BVU and the participating hospitals to help them cover the costs of applying to medical school.

"The partnership between BVU and area hospitals presents a wonderful opportunity for our students because it exposes them to a wide range of experiences and medical professionals," said Dr. Brian Lenzmeier, professor of biology and faculty advisor for the program. "The program allows students to learn firsthand what it's like to be a health professional in a rural setting."

The URMED program was developed nine years ago through a partnership with BVU and BVRMC and was designed to help alleviate the national shortage of physicians and other healthcare professionals in rural communities. While URMED participants are not required to return to the communities where they interned, they are encouraged to practice medicine in a rural area.

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