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College of Human Medicine

Celebrating Rural Medical Education

Throughout the College of Human Medicine’s 60-year history, medical students and residents have trained in underserved rural communities across Michigan. The Leadership in Rural Medicine Programs in Midland, Traverse City and the Upper Peninsula offer unique rural medicine experiences that prepare and empower our graduates to serve these populations as physicians.

Students talking at the Midland Community Campus.

Rural health students are integral members of the health care system and Midland community

Dr. Buzanoski was meeting with a medical student when a pager sounded. A doctor was seeking help evaluating a patient and asking for assistance in the surgery. The call, however, was not for Dr. Buzanoski, but for the student. “To have that level of experience in a third-year student is unique to the Leadership in Rural Medicine programs - they get a real hands-on experience,” he said.

Read about rural medicine in Midland

Traverse City street medicine team talking with a patient in front of the mobile clinic.

Traverse City rural health students are embedded in the community to serve patients

While few physicians make house calls these days, Traverse City medical students take the old practice to an extreme. They see patients on the streets, in the missions, even in a rural encampment. “Our whole mantra is going to the people,” said Dr. Klee. “We go to them. We see them tent side.”

Read about rural medicine in Traverse City

A group of doctors gathered and chatting in a stairway at the Traverse City campus.

Students in Upper Peninsula experience unique needs of rural medicine

“Our students get to experience medicine in a variety of communities,” said Dr. Johnson. “They see how that plays out in a resource-limited community. They all have a desire to have a hands-on experience. It’s one-on-one working with doctors and patients."

Read about rural medicine in the Upper Peninsula Region