The National Center for Rural Health Professions

Welcome to our RMED family, incoming students! We are honored to be hosting our new “Class of 2030” on the UIC College of Medicine Rockford campus both yesterday and today. It’s such an exciting time for everyone to get acquainted with medical school and what to expect in the RMED program. And to also get to know each other!

Congratulations to RMED student Aaron Panduro on his selection to the 2026 Medical Student Summer Research Scholarship in Neurosurgery at the University of California, Davis School of Medicine!

Aaron was selected from a highly competitive pool of medical students from across the United States and Canada to participate in this prestigious summer fellowship. From June 29 through August 18, he will work alongside neurosurgeons, residents, scientists, and researchers in UC Davis’ Department of Neurological Surgery under the mentorship of Dr. Allan Martin and Dr. Julia Sharma.

During the fellowship, Aaron will gain firsthand exposure to neurosurgery through clinical and basic science research, shadowing in clinics and operating rooms, attending Grand Rounds and case conferences, and participating in educational experiences designed to prepare future physician-scientists and leaders in medicine.

Reflecting on this opportunity, Aaron shared:

"I am incredibly humbled and grateful for this opportunity. I want to deeply thank the RMED program for their continuous support, guidance, and belief in my professional development. Immersing myself in neurosurgery research and clinical care at UC Davis during this summer fellowship is an absolute privilege, and I look forward to learning from exceptional mentors and growing as a future leader in medicine."

Opportunities like this highlight the dedication, talent, and curiosity of our RMED students and demonstrate the impact of experiential learning in preparing the next generation of healthcare leaders.

Please join us in congratulating Aaron on this outstanding achievement! We look forward to following his journey and hearing about all he accomplishes this summer at UC Davis.

We are excited to cheer on the over 2,300 Ironman athletes today in Rockford-special shout out to our very own RMED student, Gianna Sagona, who is competing in today’s race! GO GIANNA!!!!

In just a few weeks, we are hosting our annual Rural Health Careers Camp for rural high school students at Northern Illinois University! Those who have followed along in the past know that we will be posting pictures and stories again of all of our activities during camp from June 29th-July 1st, 2026.

This year we are excited to introduce some familiar faces (but as camp counselors!) that were selected from the Class of 2029 of our RMED program. First, we'd like for you to meet Grace Miller!

1. Full Name/Bachelor’s Degree/Year in Medical School:

Hi everyone! My name is Grace Miller, and I am a first-year medical student with a BS in chemistry from the University of Tennessee - Knoxville.

2. Hometown:

I am from Geneseo, IL.

3. Why I want to be a Camp Counselor:

As a rural medical student, I know how hard it can be to find opportunities to explore healthcare while in high school. I want to be a Camp Counselor to help expose students to the field of medicine, whether that be as a physician, nurse, radiology tech, dentist, and everything in between! I am excited to meet all the campers and can't wait for camp to start!

4. Fun Fact About Yourself that will benefit you at camp:

A fun fact about me is that I am interested in being a radiologist and practicing rural.

Thank you, Grace, for taking the time to let us get to know you a little better. We look forward to spending more time with you at our 2026 Rural Health Careers Camp!

The NCRHP was proud to be represented at today’s Illinois Rural Health Transformation Partnership Forum by Dr. Kara Fess, Director of the RMED Program, who served as a panelist discussing opportunities to strengthen rural healthcare across Illinois.

As Illinois prepares to implement the Rural Health Transformation Program, NCRHP is committed to advancing rural healthcare through innovative health professions education, workforce pathway programs, and strategic partnerships. Through programs such as RMED, the Illinois Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) Network, and a variety of rural health career exploration initiatives, NCRHP works to develop the next generation of healthcare professionals prepared to serve rural and underserved communities.

“The Illinois Rural Health Transformation Partnership presents an exciting opportunity to align workforce development, community engagement, and healthcare innovation,” said Dr. Kara Fess. “By investing in rural training pathways and strengthening partnerships across sectors, we can create sustainable solutions that improve access to care and the health of rural communities for generations to come.”

We appreciate the opportunity to contribute to these important statewide conversations and to share how education, workforce development, and community partnerships can help build a stronger, more sustainable rural healthcare system for Illinois.

The RMED Class of 2026 continues to impress us with the many honors and accolades that they are receiving! We are proud to celebrate all the accomplishments of the RMED Class of 2026 and the dedication, leadership, and commitment that they have demonstrated throughout their four years with us. We look forward to what the future holds for them.

Congratulations Austin! Well-done!!

Austin Kale Oglesby (left) received the Outstanding Performance on Surgery Award during the Senior Night and Awards Presentation. This award recognizes a senior student for outstanding performance on surgery.

He’s standing alongside Fazlur R. Zahurullah, MD, MBA, FACS, (right) chair of the Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties.

Congratulations Carson! We are proud of you!!

Carson Florkowski (right) received the Tom C. Reeves Memorial Award during the recent Senior Night Awards Presentation. Established in memory of Tom C. Reeves, who died in his sophomore year of medical school, this award recognizes an outstanding classmate who demonstrates promise for excellence in the medical profession.

He also received the Excellence in Emergency Medicine Award, which is presented to a senior student for excellence in the field of emergency medicine.

He’s standing alongside Fazlur R. Zahurullah, MD, MBA, FACS, (left) chair of the Department of Surgery and Surgical Specialties.

Congratulations Laura! We are proud of you!!

Dr. Laura Berger, (left) received the Dr. L.P. Johnson Family Physician Award
during April’s Senior Night and Awards Presentation. Here she is with Joe Garry, MD, FAAFP, FACSM (right), head of the Department of Family and Community Medicine.

This scholarship, in honor of Dr. LeBaron Paul Johnson, is presented to a fourth-year medical student at the College of Medicine in Rockford who, during the second and third years of study, has shown interest and achievement in family medicine.

Our 2026 Six-Week Interprofessional Preceptorship (SWIP) program started this week on Wednesday, May 27, 2026. Our East Central IL AHEC host site, Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services in Gibson City, IL, is overseeing the four students while they complete six weeks of job shadowing, study about rural health and how it is delivered while completing a service-learning project for the community.

The students, from left to right in the pictures, are Caitlyn Barbour (ISU), Jack Gentes (Illinois Wesleyan University), Jimmy Chavez (Lake Forest College), and Elizabeth Giroux (SIU-Carbondale). All are aspiring to become rural health physicians. Not only will they be observing first-hand about how rural healthcare is delivered; they are able to live in a rural community to experience rural life and all it has to offer.

This year's program runs through Thursday, July 2, 2026. Keep an eye out for pictures of the students while they complete their job shadowing and service-learning project in the coming weeks. We will be posting them here!

Many thanks to Gibson Area Hospital & Health Services and the East Central IL AHEC for their continued support of the program.

For more information about SWIP, please visit this webpage: https://ncrhp.uic.edu/programs/experiences/six-week-summer-preceptorship/.

Congratulations, Shruthi! We are so proud of you!

Dr. Shruthi Mekala received the Excellence in Family Medicine Award during April’s Senior Night and Awards Presentation. It’s presented to a senior student for outstanding performance on the family medicine clerkship.

She also received Craig E. Booher MD Community Health Scholarship, which was established in memory of former College of Medicine Rockford Dean, Dr. Craig E. Booher. Dr. Booher served as associate dean from 1972-1989 and acting dean in 1975. The scholarship is given to a fourth-year medical student who demonstrates financial need and who matches into a family medicine residency program.