rural-track

In 2024, we offered the first year of the new Internal Medicine Rural Track. This is an opportunity for Internal Medicine interns and IM/Psychiatry residents who are considering a future career in rural or indigenous communities.  

By applying to the rural track, you commit to completing a total of 8 weeks of elective rotations located in a rural community. If selected to participate, 4 weeks would be in the Spring of both R2 and R3 years. IM/Psych residents would have some flexibility in scheduling.  This can be in a combination of outpatient or inpatient settings, depending on your career interests. Housing accommodations will be provided for these rural elective rotations as available. At this time, there is no supplemental funding for travel costs. 

The track would include additional education in rural medicine topics, and opportunities to network with and receive mentorship from physicians practicing in rural communities in California as you consider your future practice. Rural medicine didactics will be required for completion of the track.  

“I had the wonderful opportunity to spend 2 weeks on a rural primary care rotation at Fairchild Medical Center, in Yreka, CA. Even though everyone immediately knew I was not from around there (hailing from “down south”, as one patient referred to Sacramento!), every person went out of their way to make me feel welcomed and comfortable.”

“I didn’t know that my away rotation there would come with marvelous views on my daily drive to work, or some of the most incredible hiking trails I’ve ever seen. In all honesty, I wasn’t sure what to expect. It felt like a homecoming, even though I’m not from Redding and had never been there.” - Maria Garnica Albor, Class of 2022