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.                                                  

Application Process

See the full application requirements.                       

	Areas shaded are short of primary care doctors
"Practicing medicine in a rural community gave me a true sense of how important a family physician is to the individual patient, patient families and to the community as a whole."  -  Dr. Keith Bufford, Medical Director “The year at Auburn immersed me not only in fundamental science courses, but also in the clinical aspects of medicine. I believe this combination provided me with the tools needed to excel in medical school."  – Fuller McCabe, RMP student		"The graduates from this program should have a deep understanding of the issues facing rural communities, and be in a position to provide medical care to those many Alabama residents who need it most."  -  Dr. Larry Wit, Program Director, COSAM Associate Dean "This is THE program for rural medicine students who wish to continue their lifestyle and practice comprehensive personalized medicine in non-urban Alabama." - William H. Coleman, M.D., Ph.D., Program Director UABSOM
Preparing You to Help Your Neighbor