ZVMS Rural Medicine Initiative
Meeting people where they are
ZVMS Rural Medicine Initiative
Meeting people where they are
ZVMS Rural Medicine Initiative
Rural Medicine Selective
In April 2024, ZVMS and Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM) held an inaugural Rural Medicine selective for 1st-year medical students.
We thank our partners who helped create and implement the selective, including UMASH, Mayo Clinic Health System, University of Minnesota Mobile Health Initiative, and Dodge Center Ambulance Service.
Special thanks to Jim Checkel, Cynthie Christensen, and 1st-year medical students Liz Palmi and Grant Welk for your leadership and collaboration in creating the selective.
Selective Learning Objectives
By the end of the selective, medical students will be able to:
(1) Describe illness and conditions that are common among people living in rural areas and those that might be considered unique to that patient population
(2) Summarize ways that social determinants of health impact the health and wellness of people living in rural areas
(3) Integrate and apply knowledge about unique patient needs associated with providing health care in rural areas while shadowing at a rural health center
(4) Gauge individual readiness to approach rural patients with cultural humility.
The next selective will be held in June 2025.
Outreach: North American Farm and Power Show
On March 22, 2025, Mayo Clinic medical students drove to Owatonna, Minnesota, for the North American Farm and Power Show to do health screenings at the Minnesota Farm Bureau booth. They enjoyed the opportunity to interact with people from rural communities.
One medical student reflected: “The conversations that I had with community members at the 2025 Farm and Power Show taught me about experiences that rural patients have had, as well as any barriers to care. I know that I am interested in pursuing a career in rural medicine and this experience helped solidify that!”
We thank Ruth Meirick, Director, Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture, for sharing their booth and promoting our work.
Ag Day Gala 2025
On March 19, we were honored to attend Ag Day Gala 2025 at the Minnesota Fairgrounds. Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture highlighted our rural healthcare partnership. ZVMS Rural Medicine Initiative director, Beth Kangas, and MCASOM medical student cofounder, Grant Welk, had the chance to share with the attendees details of this initiative.
Outreach: Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture Annual Meeting
On November 22, Mayo Clinic medical students hosted a pilot health screening at the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture Annual Meeting. Screenings included high blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure. Students served more than 25 community members and appreciated the conversations they had with guests.
Funding for the event came from the Minnesota Medical Association Foundation and Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture.
Halloween Harvest
On October 31, 2024, Mayo Clinic medical students headed to Chatfield, Minnesota, for a Halloween Harvest. They toured Hammell Equipment to learn about equipment and safety risks and had one-on-one interactions with farmer experts. Conversations continued during a social event at a local restaurant.
We thank Ruth Meirick, Director, Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture, for arranging the outing.
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