Rural Health Track
The Rural Health Education and Career Enhancement, or “REACH,” Track equips Gamecock pharmacy students with the knowledge, skills and abilities to successfully practice and improve healthcare outcomes in rural communities after graduation.
About the Track
Through specialized didactic, co-curricular, and experiential learning opportunities focused on rural pharmacy practice, the REACH Track prepares student pharmacists to serve rural communities by:
- Developing leadership and entrepreneurship skills to create and improve pharmacy practice models in rural areas
- Applying creative problem-solving strategies to address rural healthcare challenges
- Advocating for patients and communities to reduce health inequities
- Building collaborative partnerships with community members and healthcare professionals to expand access to care
- Measuring the impact of pharmacy services and patient care outcomes in rural communities
Track Requirements
Classroom Learning
REACH participants complete an Advancing Rural/Underserved Care and Health Elective (PHMY 768) course plus one additional elective course covering a topic like leadership, entrepreneurship, personal finance, senior care, or research.
Experiential Learning
Students enrolled in the REACH Track complete a minimum of 4 experiential rotations (combination of IPPEs and/or APPEs) in rural communities. Settings range from community pharmacies and clinics in rural South Carolina to tribal health facilities in Alaska and beyond.
Learning Activities
To meet the REACH track learning objectives, students complete a variety of activities such as participating in Rural Leadership Advisory Council meetings, completion of Rural Health Academy modules, conducting interviews with professionals in rural health careers, and development of a Rural Healthcare Career Plan.
AHEC Scholars Program
REACH track participants complete the South Carolina AHEC Scholars program, part of a national initiative to prepare tomorrow’s health professionals to become leaders in interprofessional, transformative practice who serve those who need it the most. Learn more on the AHEC Scholars website.
Rural Health Action Plan
The Rural Health Action Plan (RHAP) is a student-developed initiative in which REACH Track participants design and implement a research-ready project to improve rural health outcomes through patient care activities, education, or practice-based innovations, often in collaboration with interprofessional partners across multiple sites. See sample RHAP published here.
It was such a rewarding experience. My favorite part was being given the opportunity to implement the health service plans that I created and see the positive impact on the patients with whom I interacted.
-
-
Rural Rotations, Real Impact
REACH Track students complete at least four experiential rotations in rural communities, gaining hands-on experience caring for underserved populations and addressing real-world challenges.
-
