ETSU hosting summer camp for rural students interested in medicine

ETSU and the Quillen College of Medicine are offering high school students from rural and underserved areas an opportunity to get a hands-on look into the medical field this summer.

East Tennessee State University and the Quillen College of Medicine are offering high school students from rural and underserved areas interested in a career in medicine an opportunity to get an early, hands-on look into the field this summer.  

Sponsored by Ballad Health, the Tennessee Center for Workforce Development and ETSU, the Rural High School Medical Camp is open to rising seniors and recent graduates and is free to attend.  

Space is limited, however, and registration closes on April 25. Tennessee students, as well as students from out-of-state counties that border Tennessee, are eligible to apply.  

Held June 10-14, the camp will introduce students to disciplines of medicine with hands-on experience, learn about admissions to both East Tennessee State University and Quillen and be given a tour of both campuses. Housing and meals will be provided at no cost. 

The Quillen College of Medicine will also offer “Doc for Day” on June 7 – a one-day event for rising juniors to introduce them to ETSU and the College of Medicine. It includes a campus tour, special discussions from admissions counselors, tours of the anatomy lab and simulation center, and the ability to meet the associate dean and the director for Rural and Community Programs.  

Lunch will also be provided, and there is no cost to attend.  

“These programs are excellent opportunities to expand our outreach to rural and underserved communities and get those students thinking about a career in medicine – particularly primary care,” said Dr. Tom Kincer, associate dean for rural and community programs with the Quillen College of Medicine.

“Serving the underserved is a core part of Quillen’s mission, and these programs not only allow us to do that, but also get these students interested in doing the same in their communities.”   

Both programs are part of Quillen’s EQUIP initiative, short for Extending Quillen to the Underserved through an Integrated Program. EQUIP seeks to identify, mentor and educate students to become primary care physicians committed to serving rural and underserved.  

For more information, or to apply, visit https://bit.ly/44c0KYz.