An event held on Oct. 7 brought 250 undergraduate students from Chadron State, Peru State, Wayne State, the University of Nebraska at Omaha and the University of Nebraska at Kearney to UNMC, with the focus on providing information to students who have committed to return to rural and underserved areas in Nebraska to practice in a health care career.
The event was held by UNMC Rural Health Initiatives.
“This is a pipeline that ensures the state of Nebraska continues to train health care professionals that understand the unique dynamics of rural and underserved communities,” said Kelli Schneegass, rural health program specialist.
As part of the pathway programs, undergraduate students visit UNMC’s Omaha campus twice, usually during their freshman and junior years, for interactive learning and hands-on experiences.
Clare Berry, the Omaha Area Health Education Center coordinator at UNO, said these programs ensure that the health care workforce of underserved rural and urban Nebraska communities is well-equipped and well-staffed for new challenges and opportunities.
“Since our health opportunity program students are on track with conditionally guaranteed admission to UNMC, the pathway program visit is an important opportunity for our students to picture themselves at UNMC, begin to make connections with their peers, faculty and support staff, and stay on the path to their health professions,” Berry said.
This year’s event focused on experiential learning and campus tours.
Medical improv sessions, a new addition to the program led by Michael Smith, MD, taught students how to communicate effectively with patients, focusing on listening and building rapport – a critical skill in patient care.
“It’s not just about giving answers,” Schneegass said. “It’s also about being present and allowing a free-flowing conversation that builds trust.”
The Stop the Bleed program, first introduced in 2023, equips students with life-saving techniques to stabilize patients during emergencies in rural areas, where medical assistance may take longer to arrive. More than 200 students attended the hands-on session, which emphasized the importance of these skills, particularly for students returning to areas where health care resources are limited.
Students also experienced five different stations of iEXCEL in the Davis Global Center, UNMC’s state-of-the-art simulation center.
The programs’ impact extends beyond individual students.
“By training students to return to their communities and provide much-needed services, these programs are creating a pipeline of professionals who will strengthen the state’s health care system for years to come,” Schneegass said.
Todd Young, PhD, coordinates the Rural Health Opportunities Program at Wayne State College, which has been a partner institution of RHOP for more than 30 years.
“During that time, we have successfully helped more than 145 alumni return to rural Nebraska to serve as health care professionals,” he said.
Schneegass said as the program grows, the hope is to continue expanding opportunities for students across Nebraska.
“We are equipping the next generation of health care providers with the skills and understanding necessary to meet the unique challenges of rural and underserved populations,” she said.