ZVMS Rural Medicine
Meeting people where they are
ZVMS Rural Medicine
Meeting people where they are
Rural Medicine Selective
Started in 2024, the Rural Medicine Selective (optional elective) allows Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine (MCASOM) medical students to explore life and practice in the rural communities surrounding Rochester. In June 2025, 16 first-year medical students participated in the three-day experience.
The first day of the selective included a session by representatives from the Upper Midwest Agricultural Safety and Health Center (UMASH) on common health challenges faced by rural communities. During lunch, a panel of Mayo Clinic physicians who practice in rural communities led a Q&A session.
On day two, the group visited the Dodge Center Ambulance Service to learn about being a rural emergency responder and the regulatory challenges they face. They then drove down the road for a farm tour and community panel led by farmers from the surrounding area. The panelists shared their insights into several clinical scenarios that a physician caring for patients in a rural area might encounter.
On the final day of the selective, the group split up to shadow physicians at rural sites across the health system.
1st-year medical students Robert Daniels, Louis Kant, Alex Yonkman, and Roy Zhou led the selective.
Special thanks to Jim Checkel, Cynthie Christensen, and Ruth Linkenmeyer-Meirick for your partnership in developing the selective. Minnesota Public Radio featured Jim Checkel’s contributions here.
Medical Students Continue to Provide Eyeglasses on the Spot
Mayo Clinic medical students continue to provide distance eyeglasses on the spot with Global Vision 2020 kits.
They returned to Zumbro Education District for Parent-Teacher conferences on March 5.
They joined Project Community Connect in Austin on March 12.
Prescription Eyeglasses Provided on the Spot
With funding from Medica Foundation, we purchased Global Vision 2020 kits to be able to provide prescription eyeglasses in minutes.
In December 2025, we had the opportunity to provide the glasses to students at Zumbro Education District (ZED) in Dodge County. We saw 16 students altogether.
Coincidentally, teachers for the blind or visually impaired happened to be visiting ZED on that day. We showed GV2020 to these teachers representing many school districts in Southeast Minnesota, who provide vision services to students in order to access the educational setting and curriculum
Later, our ZED colleague sent an update about the students’ reactions to their new eyeglasses: “One student said they haven’t seen this good in a long time. Another student mentioned they were grateful to not have scratches. Another said, ‘I have a pair for school and won’t have to struggle.’ I’ve heard the style was well liked and universal.“
Health and Health Care in Rural Areas
Two events in fall 2025 helped us learn even more about health and health care in rural areas:
In September 2025, Minnesota Public Radio hosted a discussion in Owatonna of health care challenges in rural areas as part of their Rural Voice series. Rural Medicine medical student leaders Robert Daniels and Louis Kant, ZVMS Rural Medicine director Beth Kangas, and Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture Director Ruth Meirick had the chance to speak about their collaboration to train Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine medical students. You can listen to the discussion here.
In November, we cohosted with the Minnesota Foundation for Agriculture a panel for medical students on mental health and farm financial stress. We learned about the costs and pressures involved in maintaining generational farms.
Outreach in Rural Communities
In fall 2025, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine medical students did health screenings at various events in rural communities, including in Red Wing in September and Albert Lea in November.
One medical student said this about her outreach experience: “At the Red Wing Good Life Fair, several community members shared vulnerable stories about recent events in their lives, which showed me that meaningful connections can be created during a quick blood pressure check. Helping with these health screenings motivates me to continue studying and learning in order to serve these communities as a future physician!“
Outreach in Rural Communities
In fall 2025, Mayo Clinic Alix School of Medicine medical students did health screenings at various events in rural communities, including in Red Wing in September and Albert Lea in November.
One medical student said this about her outreach experience: “At the Red Wing Good Life Fair, several community members shared vulnerable stories about recent events in their lives, which showed me that meaningful connections can be created during a quick blood pressure check. Helping with these health screenings motivates me to continue studying and learning in order to serve these communities as a future physician!“
Outreach: Dodge/Olmsted County Rural Health Forum and Fair
On April 6, 2025, Mayo Clinic medical students did health screenings and distributed reading glasses at the inaugural Dodge/Olmsted County Rural Health Forum and Fair at the Dodge County Fairgrounds in Kasson.
One medical student said of the experience: “It’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of medical school and forget that medicine, at its core, is about the people we serve. Helping with health screenings and hearing stories from our community has been a great way to refocus on why I was drawn to medicine in the first place!“
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, 2025, 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, 2024, 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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