BVU’s URMED Program Prepares Future Doctors to Serve Rural Communities

Buena Vista University (BVU) is once again continuing to build pathways to rural healthcare careers through its annual Undergraduate Rural Medicine Educational Development (URMED) program; an immersive May Term internship that allows students passionate about medicine to gain firsthand experience in rural clinical settings. Over the course of three weeks, URMED interns dive into clinical experiences at Buena Vista Regional Medical Center (BVRMC) and Pocahontas Community Hospital, shadowing medical professionals, engaging in hands-on learning, and building connections with patients and providers alike.

This year’s URMED intern is Storm Lake native Matthew Cummins, a senior biomedical sciences major at BVU. A standout student with deep commitment to rural healthcare, Cummins was selected for the program based on his strong clinical background and his desire to work in a rural setting.

“Matthew stood out because of his direct patient care experience and his ability to clearly communicate concepts without the use of technical medical jargon,” said Dr. Sarah Schlichte, Assistant Professor of Biomedical Science and a BVU graduate.

For Cummins, who grew up in a rural community, the URMED program hits close to home.

“I’ve always grown up around rural areas, so being part of rural medicine means a lot to me. I know how challenging it can be for people in these communities due to limited access to healthcare and resources,” said Cummins. “The URMED program helps us understand the hardships rural providers and patients face and how important it is to our communities. I’m looking forward to everything I’ll learn over the next three weeks.”

To support students in pursuing medical school, each URMED participant receives a $3,000 stipend from BVU and its partnering hospitals to help cover associated costs such as applications, travel, and preparation.

Katie Schwint, Executive Director of Community Development at BVRMC and a fellow BVU graduate, emphasized the importance of URMED for both students and healthcare providers. 

“One thing we know about healthcare and college is that change is constant. We must all learn to adapt and lead together. That’s why programs like URMED matter,” stated Schwint. “We learn from the students as much as they learn from us. We are honored to be a part of Matthew’s journey and to welcome him to URMED, to rural healthcare, and BVRMC.”

BVU’s URMED program continues to create powerful pathways for students who aspire to make a difference in the healthcare field, especially in underserved rural areas.

For more information about the URMED program, visit bvu.edu/urmed.