MDH Welcomes Medical Student for Clinical Training

MACOMB, Ill. – Arshia Ghodrati, a third-year medical student at the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP) is completing a 24-week clinical training experience at McDonough District Hospital in Macomb.

As a student in the Rural Student Physician Program (RSPP), Ghodrati trains in a rural community learning one-on-one with physician mentors while gaining a deep understanding and appreciation for rural, primary care medicine. Through close, apprentice-like supervision, UICOMP medical students accepted into the program gain more opportunities for knowledge growth and skill acquisition.

Students in RSPP experience an immersive and integrated approach to primary care medicine, which encompasses pediatrics, obstetrics/gynecology, internal medicine, psychiatry, general surgery, and family medicine during the rural learning experience.

“We are excited to continue our partnership with the University of Illinois College of Medicine Peoria and welcome another Rural Student Physician. At MDH we offer many opportunities for a medical student to gain experience in a wide-variety of specialties,” said MDH President & Chief Executive Officer Bill Murdock. “I appreciate the physicians on our MDH campus who will serve as a mentor to Arshia. When we host medical students we can showcase all the positives going on at MDH, with facilities, staff, the variety of the services we offer, and our organization.”

In the US, 20 percent of the population lives in rural areas whereas only 10 percent of physicians practice in rural areas. While the need for rural physicians is great, the reward to practice in rural communities is even greater, says James Barnett, MD, director of RSPP.

“Our students experience first-hand the gratification of providing a continuum of care to patients in rural communities,” Barnett says. “In addition, rural physicians are very much a part of the community where they not only provide care but they contribute as leaders and neighbors.”

RSPP is open only to medical students at UICOMP, and a limited number of admissions is granted annually through a competitive application and interview process.

ABOUT MDH: McDonough District Hospital has been a source of healing, caring, and hope since we opened our doors to the people of western Illinois in 1958. MDH is a licensed 48-bed healthcare facility providing an impressive spectrum of advanced medical treatments and personalized health services. While our services have advanced, our commitment to providing healthcare in an atmosphere of compassion and caring has remained constant. MDH is accredited by The Joint Commission and is a member of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association.

ABOUT UICOMP: The University Of Illinois College Of Medicine Peoria (UICOMP) educates 265 medical students and more than 300 physician residents and fellows annually. Additionally, it provides clinical care to more than 45,000 patients annually and conducts basic science, clinical and outcomes research. The College of Medicine is home to the Cancer Research Center, Center for Wellbeing, and is a collaborator in Jump Simulation. Learn more about UICOMP at http://peoria.medicine.uic.edu.