The Rural Medicine Program is a five-year program that trains physicians to serve in the areas of greatest necessity: rural and small-town Alabama.

The Rural Medicine Program includes a year of prematriculation study at the post-baccalaureate level in the College of Sciences and Mathematics at Auburn University, followed by four years of medical school. RMP students complete their clinical training at the Heersink School of Medicine Huntsville Regional Medical Campus. The program is run by the Office for Family Health, Education and Research.

Curriculum

Year 1
Students complete prematriculation courses at Auburn University, including classes specifically designed for the academic needs of each individual student.

Years 2 & 3
Students complete their pre-clinical coursework at our campus in Birmingham, along with extracurricular activities emphasizing rural medicine.

Years 4 & 5
Students complete their clinical rotations at Huntsville Regional Campus with special courses and rotations in rural medicine.

Students in the Rural Medical Program are also provided support to attend national meetings of the Alabama Academy of Family Practice and the National Student American Academy of Family Practice. Students also participate in the Medical Association of the State of Alabama’s annual Governmental Affairs Conference in Washington, D.C., where they are introduced to the U.S. Surgeon General and members of Alabama’s congressional delegation.  Involvement in the AAFP, MASA and Family Medicine Interest Group broadens the students’ medical school experience both in education and community service.