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Rural Medical & Science Scholars

  • Dr. David Buys teaching a group of students.


The 2023 Rural Medical & Science Scholars

Summer 2024
June 9 - June 21, 2024
2 Weeks on Campus

The Rural Medical & Science Scholars program helps current high school juniors determine if they want to pursue health-related careers and shapes students’ interest and understanding of medicine, health-related disciplines, and other STEM fields. The program aims to ensure a strong and passionate workforce for the long-term goals of improving Mississippi’s economy and increasing access to healthcare.

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Thinking about a health or science career?

 
Sonya Shipley-- Puckett, Rankin County
 
Ben Rushing-- Silver Creek, Lawrence County

 

Rural Medical and Science Scholars 2024

June 9- June 21, 2024

Rising High School Seniors, this is your opportunity to stand in the role as a new pioneer as we move to 2 weeks of program delivery! Scholars will take one health science course (Introduction to Health Professions ), thus earning 3 college credits. Robust lectures accompanied by engaging workshops that will allow you to explore public health and its connection to a career in health or science. You will experience many levels of health and science, but still enjoy the networking opportunities that will allow you to make lifelong friends with similar interests. This is an intense summer program, but worth the extra time and effort!

For a sneak preview of the exciting things that have been experienced from the “on campus” Rural Medical & Science program, check out the YouTube, “Rural Medical and Science Scholars Reel 2023 below.”

 

 

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Publications

Publication Number: M1917
Publication Number: M0980
Publication Number: P2298

News

Man leads room full of teenagers in dance exercise.
Filed Under: 4-H, Health and Wellness, Food and Health, Health, Rural Health April 25, 2023

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Community improvement starts with a volunteer spirit and a desire to serve as a role model for positive change.

In north Mississippi, plenty of teenagers are ready to step up. They just need to know how to help.

The Mississippi State University Extension Service 4-H program hosted 69 14- to 18-year-olds April 22 at the Mill Conference Center in Starkville to help some of these future leaders learn not just how to lead, but also how to take care of themselves and help their peers during challenging times.

A group photo of the Rural Medical and Science Scholars Class of 2022.
Filed Under: Food and Health, Rural Health March 8, 2023

MISSISSIPPI STATE, Miss. -- High school juniors can explore health and science careers and get a jump on college during the Rural Medical and Science Scholars program this summer at Mississippi State University. The June 10-29 program is now accepting applications until April 1.

Filed Under: Food and Health, Health, Rural Health September 20, 2022

A Mississippi State University Extension Service specialist was recently reelected to the National Board of Public Health Examiners board of directors. Initially elected in 2020, David Buys, Extension health specialist and associate professor in the MSU Department of Food Science, Nutrition and Health Promotion, will now serve a second two-year term.

A man stands on crutches in silhouette against a background of farm equipment.
Filed Under: Disaster Response, Food and Health, Health, The PROMISE Initiative, Prescription Opioid Misuse, Mental Health First Aid, Farm Stress, Rural Health August 16, 2022

RAYMOND, Miss. -- The rollout of the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline offers more hope to individuals dealing with mental-health-related distress. That population includes farmers and farm workers, who are among those most at risk for suicide and mental health distress.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, male agricultural workers have the fourth highest suicide rate among men in all industries. 

Man on a farm holding a baseball cap.
Filed Under: Farming, Farm Safety, The PROMISE Initiative, Farm Stress, Rural Health June 3, 2022

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- For Nathan Casburn, the land that has been in his family since the early 1900s is now more than simply his workplace.

The Tallahatchie County farm is a place of healing from an opioid addiction that began with pain medication prescribed after he was in a car accident during high school.

Casburn explained in a miniseries titled “On the Farm” that one of the biggest hurdles in his recovery was “saying I can’t do this on my own, and I need help with this.”

Success Stories

A professionally dressed woman standing in front of many rows of food cans and beside a sign that lists “HOPE.”
Health and Wellness, Community, Rural Development, Food and Health, AIM for CHangE, Rural Health
Volume 9 Number 2

Imagine what Mississippi might look like if everyone had access to healthy foods. The state could set an example for other rural states in using existing resources, collaborating with officials and stakeholders, and creating solutions that have measurable impacts for individuals and families.

Three men and one woman standing inside.
Health and Wellness, Leadership, Community, Food and Health, Health, AIM for CHangE, Nutrition and Wellness, Rural Health
Volume 9 Number 2

Rev. Dr. Manney Murphy has known for years that serving his community is his calling. Even after years of making a difference in Warren County, Murphy recently felt led to return to his father’s hometown of Yazoo City. Now, he’s working to change how Mississippians of all ages in the Delta are accessing and receiving healthcare.

A man and woman standing in front of steps, smiling.
Disaster Response, Health, Mental Health First Aid, Rural Health
Volume 9 Number 1

When Kathryn Reed saw that young people in her community needed more opportunities to participate in activities to help them grow spiritually and personally, she took action.

“We have a lot of activities for adults in our community, but there was nothing for our pre-teens and teenagers,” explains Kathryn. “We are losing them when they get to that age.”

A man, woman, and child standing outside, smiling in front of a building.
Food and Health, Rural Health
Volume 9 Number 1

He had always been very good at math and science in school, and when Caleb Zumbro earned the chance to study chemical engineering at Mississippi State University, the young man from Franklin County was excited to move away from Mississippi’s Pine Hills.

A young man, wearing glasses and a red shirt, standing outside and looking over the horizon.
Food and Health, Rural Health
Volume 8 Number 2

When Carey Williams decides he’s going to do something, he relies on patience, work ethic, and tenacity to find a way to get it done.

Watch

Wynton Sims RMS Alum Testimony
Extension Stories

Wynton Sims RMS Alum Testimony

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - 4:30pm
Meri Hollis West RMS Alum Testimony
Extension Stories

Meri Hollis West RMS Alum Testimony

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - 4:30pm
Catherine Feng RMS Alum Testimony
Extension Stories

Catherine Feng RMS Alum Testimony

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - 4:30pm
Emily Davis RMS Alum Testimony
Extension Stories

Emily Davis RMS Alum Testimony

Wednesday, February 21, 2018 - 2:45pm

Listen

Wednesday, December 11, 2019 - 7:00am
Wednesday, March 6, 2019 - 7:00am

Select Your County Office

Contacts

Portrait of Ms. Ann Sansing
Extension Instructor II
Rural Medical Scholars Program Director/Community Health Coordinator
Portrait of Ms. Jasmine Raniece Harris-Speight
Extension Instructor
Portrait of Dr. David Buys
Associate Professor
State Health Specialist
Portrait of Ms. Mmesoma Immaculeta Okafor
Extension Associate I

Your Extension Experts

Portrait of Ms. Ann Sansing
Extension Instructor II