The CRPH strives to promote awareness of rural issues and to foster the empowerment of rural communities. To this end, we currently support the following on-campus rural interest groups:
The Rural Health Interest Group (RHIG) at the UofSC School of Medicine aims to educate medical students on the unique opportunities in rural healthcare. They learn from experts in the field about the needs of rural populations and how evidence-based and innovative projects are operationalized in rural areas to overcome obstacles to providing care to these areas. The RHIG also has a national presence and is involved with organizations such as the National Rural Health Association.
Previous Speakers
Introduction to Rural Health
- Speaker: Kevin Bennett, PhD from the SC Center for Rural & Primary Healthcare
FoodShare Presentation: Rural Food Insecurities
- Speakers: Michelle Troup and Courtney Watson from FoodShare SC
Loan Repayment/Forgiveness Programs
- Speaker: Mark Jordan from the SC Department of Health & Environmental Control
SC Rural Clinics
- Speaker: Virginia Ann Mullikin from the SC Free Clinic Association
Gullah Roots Documentary Screening and Discussion Panel
- Speakers: Xavier Blake (Producer, ETV); Jessica Berry, PhD (SC State University); Robert Rhinehart, PhD (UofSC School of Medicine); Eric Williams, PhD (UofSC School of Medicine)
Rural Family Practice
- Speaker: William Jackson Epperson, MD from Tidelands Health
The Rural Interest Group (RIG) is an undergraduate, graduate, and professional student organization at UofSC that aims to offer a platform for students from all disciplines to learn more about rural communities. Using guest speakers, the club educates students about rural healthcare, economy, education, culture, policy, and government. Additionally, the group helps students enrich their education and understanding about rural communities, develop a broader understanding of all issues which impact the rural setting, and learn about policy and legislation that may impact rural communities.
Rural Health Day 2021
Rural Health Day 2021 took place on Thursday, November 18th, 2021, and focused on celebrating the power of rural and honoring the community-minded spirit that reigns in rural communities. The RIG hosted an event asking students to write what rural meant to them onto a poster. The event also had jumbo-sized Jenga with rural health facts on each block to engage student interest and expand their knowledge of rural health.
