In Service to the State

Rural North Carolina is home to some of the most vulnerable populations in the state. Small towns have the state’s highest poverty rates, with many exceeding 25 percent. Rural unemployment rates are higher than other parts of the state, and with more financial hardship comes less access to basic health-care services.

UNC Medicine is working to meet this challenge through the Kenan Primary Care Medical Scholars Program.  With a goal of increasing the number of medical students seeking careers in underserved rural and urban areas in North Carolina, the program provides financial support and enrichment experiences to sustain their decisions.

“Being a Kenan Rural Scholar has been a constant uplifting reminder to me of why I am in medical school. It’s kept me inspired and helped remind me why I decided to do this in the first place,” said Anna McKinsey.

Since its inception in 2013, the program has supported more than 40 students who in turn treated many of North Carolina’s most susceptible communities .

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