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Extended wait times, long drives to facilities and a lack of resources are challenges that limit access to health care in rural communities across the United States. But in one Alabama county, Auburn students planning to enter the medical and health fields are hoping to break down these barriers.
The Auburn University Rural Health Initiative is kicking off Rural Health Connect (RHC), a new student-led organization for both undergraduate and graduate students, in the fall. RHC is optimistic that engaging students with rural communities is a step toward improving health care across Alabama.
Partnerships with purpose
As part of the program, students will be paired with community members in Chambers County to serve as their health partners, helping them achieve their health goals.
“They’ll do anything a really good neighbor would do,” said Kate Bouchillon, the organization’s advisor. “Whether that’s helping them make a grocery list or driving them to appointments, they are here to support community members on their health journey.”
Students are trained to assist community members to meet a variety of health goals they may have, such as exercising more, eating healthier or even building friendships. Students will conduct monthly visits and weekly phone check-ins with their community partners to provide support.
Beyond serving as health partners, the students will also host community health events. Past events include mental health and healthy food fairs, community walks and a dementia screening program led by RHC’s vice president of finance, Brian Kim.
Creating change-makers
Kim, a senior majoring in biomedical sciences, started the screening initiative with his sister after losing their grandfather to Alzheimer’s disease.
“By the time he was diagnosed, it was already too late — and despite searching for other options, we were told there was nothing more we could do,” Kim said. “After his funeral, I searched for memory screening services near Auburn and was shocked to find that the closest was over an hour away.”
Kim, along with other volunteers who are certified in the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), screened over 170 seniors across Alabama. Most had never received a formal cognitive screening, a key aspect of early detection and treatment.
“Rural communities are often overlooked,” Kim said. “More than 87% of Alabama’s counties are medically underserved, and on top of that, transportation barriers, lower health literacy and high poverty rates make access even harder. These challenges often delay diagnosis until treatment options are limited.
“I strongly believe that no one’s ZIP code should determine whether they get the chance for early intervention.”
RHC hopes to instill this commitment to health equity in future health care professionals and leaders.
“It’s amazing that we can teach students about health equity and what it means to be understanding and compassionate before they even enter the field,” said Corinne DuMond, a senior majoring in health care administration and the vice president of public relations for RHC. “I think it’ll change health care in Alabama, and hopefully one day beyond.”
