The University of Kentucky College of Medicine Rural Physician Leadership Program (RPLP) is an educational program housed in Morehead, Ky., designed to train future physicians and health care leaders to provide high-quality, compassionate care in rural settings.
An important outcome of this unique, four-year medical education program is that graduates gain knowledge and experience necessary to work with civic and community leaders to improve the general health of the communities they serve.
Students complete their first two years in Lexington following the competitive curriculum required for all UK College of Medicine students. Thanks to a partnership with St. Claire HealthCare, RPLP students will spend their third and fourth years gaining vital clinical experiences through the hospital system and with other health care providers in Northeast Kentucky.
Third year consists of rotations in psychiatry, neurology, surgery, internal medicine, emergency medicine, family medicine, pediatrics, and obstetrics/gynecology. The fourth year consists of two acting internships at UK-approved locations. Students complete nine weeks of elective rotations, which may be done in Morehead, Lexington, or elsewhere.
Additionally, the Morehead State University College of Business and Public Affairs provides a certificate program in which RPLP students may participate. The certificate in health systems leadership is offered during the third year of medical school and is taught in an executive teaching format. The certificate program cover topics such as the use of information technology, financial issues and debt management, and community engagement for health policy.
Upon completion of all components of RPLP, students graduate with a Doctor of Medicine from the UK College of Medicine, qualifying them for internship and residency in any area of medicine, as well as a certificate in health systems leadership upon completion of course work at Morehead State University.
RPLP currently accepts up to 15 students per year. If you are interested in visiting Morehead and learning more about the program, we encourage you to attend an open house. To register, click here. All open houses begin at 2 p.m. at the Center for Health Education and Research located at 316 West Second Street in Morehead, Ky.
UK College of Medicine RPLP students, Class of 2020
For more information, contact Bodie Stevens, regional site administrator, at 859-562-1542 or bodie.stevens@uky.edu.
Visit us on Facebook!