Graham Health System Gives $500,000 to Support Rural Medicine at UICOMP
Graham Health System, Canton, IL, has donated $500,000 to support the Rural Student Physician Program at University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria.
“This generous scholarship is another demonstration of the commitment the Graham Health System and the Canton community has to advancing medical education of UICOMP students and promoting the virtues of practicing medicine in rural communities,” says Kelvin Wynn, MD, UICOMP chair of Family and Community Medicine.
The Rural Student Physician Program provides third-year medical students with an immersive clinical experience in rural communities. RSPP students benefit from one-on-one mentoring by physicians and gain knowledge, skills and understanding for rural primary care. The need for rural healthcare providers is great with 20 percent of the population living in rural areas, but only 10 percent of doctors serving in rural communities.
The gift from Graham will provide support for student scholarships for UICOMP students in the Rural Student Physician Program.
“The funding of this scholarship is an investment in the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria to be sure, but more so an investment in the healthcare delivery system we all want and deserve in rural Illinois,” says Graham Health System President and CEO Bob Senneff. “These dollars will be invested in the next generation of physicians who will care for our families and loved ones. My hope is that other healthcare organizations and major employers in rural Illinois understand the critical role the college plays and will make significant investments as well.”