CANTON -- Northern Area Health Education Center, Inc. partnered with SUNY Upstate Medical University, Claxton-Hepburn Medical Center and Lewis County General Hospital to bring two groups of second year medical students to the North Country this June.

Through the Rural Immersion program, they experienced living and working in rural, underserved communities. Students completed rotations with doctors and physician assistants in a variety of specialties including family medicine, pediatrics, surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, dermatology, psychiatry, OB/GYN, gastroenterology, and nephrology.

In addition to their clinical rotations, the students had the opportunity to get to know the community through scavenger hunts, dinners with physicians, community volunteer projects, and local recreational activities.

The medical students benefit from a real-life experience that allowed them to learn, collaborate, explore interests, and problem solve. Twenty-five healthcare professionals offered their time to mentor the students, who said they were impressed by how warm and inviting the communities were and thanked everyone for the hometown hospitality.

ll the participating medical students plan to work in underserved areas and some, following this experience, are considering returning to practice in the North Country.

There is more about Rural Immersion at https://northernahec.org/rural-immersion/.