The University of Nebraska Medical Center Rural Health Education Network
recently hosted a 5-day workshop to familiarize future physicians and physician
assistants with agri-medicine and rural health issues.
Twenty-eight undergraduate students enrolled in pre-medicine and pre-physician
assistant programs attended. They were from Chadron State College, Hastings
College, Wayne State College, the University of Nebraska at Kearney and
the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
During the workshop, students attended lectures, observed UNMC and Nebraska
Health System physicians in the clinical setting and spent a day in health
facilities in nearby rural communities. The students also produced computerized
presentations that focused on rural health issues.
Based upon feedback from the students, they enjoyed their experience
here,” said Roxanna Jokela, Rural Health Education Network coordinator.
Many students were impressed by the health professionals in the rural
communities and the interest these professionals showed in recruiting the
students back to the community once they become physicians or physician
assistants.
This is the sixth year of the workshop.
The students hometowns and colleges are listed below:
ALLIANCE Aaron Lee (UNL)
ATKINSON Terri LeMunyan (UNK)
BEAVER CROSSING –Brady OHare (Chadron State)
CHADRON Benjamin Grote (Chadron State)
CHAPPELL Brett Littlejohn (Chadron State)
CROFTON Tanya Kleinschmit (Wayne State)
CURTIS Erin Myers (Wayne State)
ERICSON Jeremy Eschliman (Wayne State)
FAIRBURY Kate Ebke (Chadron State)
GOTHENBURG Scott Franzen (UNL)
GRAND ISLAND Jeremy Jarecke (UNL)
HICKMAN Jason Hesser (Chadron State)
HUMPHREY Shelley Fischer (Chadron State)
KEARNEY Colene Andersen (UNK) and Kendee Koster (UNK)
LINCOLN Kelly Bishop (UNL)
MERNA Gregory Weber (UNK)
NORFOLK Mindy Lacey (UNL)
NORTH PLATTE Bob Bowen (UNK), Tonya Burk (Chadron State) and Brooke
Miller (UNL)
OMAHA Mary Peterson (Hastings College)
ONEILL Bobbi Jo Drueke (Wayne State)
PAPILLION Jonathan Miller (Hastings College)
SCOTTSBLUFF Jill Trenkle (UNL)
WAUSA Shannon Wakeley (UNL)
WAYNE David Ensz (Wayne State) and Amy Hattig (Wayne State)
UNMC is the only public academic health science center in the state.
Through its commitment to research, education and patient care, UNMC has
established itself as one of the country’s leading centers for cancer research
and treatment and solid organ transplantation. More than $34 million
in research grants and contracts are awarded to UNMC scientists annually.
In addition, UNMC’s educational programs are responsible for training more
health professionals practicing in Nebraska than any other institution.