The Comprehensive Urban Underserved and Rural Experience (CU²RE) program is designed to enhance the recruitment, training, and retention of medical students dedicated to serving as family medicine physicians to provide primary care in the medically underserved urban and rural areas of Alabama. The enriched training program addresses six core areas related to interprofessional education, behavioral health, social risk factors, cultural and linguistic competency, practice transformation, and telehealth. Participants selected for CU²RE benefit from an array of resources ranging from advising and faculty mentorship to guidance on scholarly activities and assistance with conference travel. Their demonstrated interest in and dedication to primary care also increases participants’ eligibility for various primary care scholarships.
Strengthening Alabama’s Health Care Workforce
- 50+ students have participated, with expanding cohorts each year.
- 80+ training hours across clinical settings during their first two years; training not afforded to other students.
- Graduates choose residencies in Alabama
Impacting Students, Preceptors and Communities
- $4.9M+ in student stipends and scholarships.
- 20+ CME credits/year for preceptor professional development.
- CU²RE students contribute to community health through health fairs, nutrition counseling, and more.
Enhancing Rural Health Facilities
- POCUS devices and training for diagnostic capabilities.
- 30+ rural site partnerships to enhance clinic operations.
- Clinical rotations in federally designated HPSAs.
- Exposure to rural clinics increases return-to-practice.
Supporting Mental Health and Substance Use Treatment
- Curriculum includes training in motivational interviewing and substance use screening tools.
- Students participate in integrated behavioral health workshops and rotate in practices that address mental health and substance use disorders.
Lifestyle and Nutrition-Focused Education
- CU²RE students receive 20+ training hours in nutrition and exercise counseling during the first two years.
- National average of < 20 hours across all four years of medical school.
Mission
To increase the number and quality of medical students who enter family medicine/primary care, particularly those from—and willing to care for—underserved populations.
Vision
To be the premier program for medical student education in primary care with a focus on the transformation of health care delivery and training leaders in the field.
The CU2RE Program is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) as part of an award totaling $16 million with 10% financed with non¬governmental sources. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS, or the U.S. Government.