An initiative introduced by McPherson College and McPherson Hospital has set out to become a new model for community health care in rural areas. The program features a new enhanced health science degree at the college and a wide variety of hands-on educational opportunities through the partnership with the hospital. The partnership will provide opportunities for student learning and community outreach. There is more to a healthy community than just treating people who are sick, explained McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “We are looking at this from a holistic, patient-centered approach to health care in rural communities,” President Schneider said. “It includes everything from mentoring at-risk youth to making sure our elderly citizens are safe when they return home from a hospital stay. This partnership will put our students out in the community working with support from McPherson Hospital to solve these challenges.”

Kansas is among states with the highest number of rural hospitals and the greatest shortage of health care professionals of all types, according to the National Rural Health Association. Additionally, more than 25% of the state’s population lives in rural areas.