Training California's future physicians to meet the needs of rural communities

Rural-PRIME is a unique program designed to train UC Davis School of Medicine's best and brightest students for a fulfilling career in rural primary-care medicine. It is an opportunity that offers a range of experiences, from public health and community service to the use of leading-edge medical technologies like telemedicine.

The Rural-PRIME Program is a combined, five-year M.D. and master's degree program. It focuses on developing physicians who can become leaders and advocates for improving health-care delivery throughout the state's smaller, more isolated communities. Rural-PRIME offers an innovative curriculum, beginning with the first year of medical school. It is specifically geared toward students from rural backgrounds who have a strong desire to make a difference in communities like the ones in which they were raised.

How you can help

A large part of the shortage in primarycare physicians has been attributed to the pull of higher incomes for specialty practice. Primary-care practice in rural areas is much more challenging for a UC Davis medical student weighing career options against an average debt load of over $100,000. Many students simply would not consider Rural-PRIME without substantial scholarship funding. With your scholarship support, we can recruit the most talented students to Rural-PRIME, and enable them to make the choice to practice in the rural places they once called home.

Your scholarship support can make a difference!

For more information about supporting the program, please contact Rebecca Miller at (916) 734-4105 or Rebecca.Miller@ucdmc.ucdavis.edu