McPherson College
McPHERSON, Kan. – McPherson College and the University of Kansas School of Medicine are partnering to promote rural healthcare in Kansas. Over the next 12 months, this collaboration will provide students with experiential, service, and research learning opportunities.
“The collaboration will offer a wide range of opportunities for McPherson College students,” said McPherson College President Michael Schneider. “Building a partnership with the KU School of Medicine expands opportunities for our students statewide and allows us to work with KU School of Medicine admissions on joint recruitment efforts. These initiatives will help better prepare students for careers in rural healthcare.”
Together, McPherson College and KU School of Medicine’s Salina campus will explore partnerships in academic health science scholarships, rural health promotion, healthcare career development, and community health resources, including joint grant funding. The collaboration also aims to establish partnerships with the Health Occupations Students of America organization, develop new service projects, and co-host tabletop simulation events.
McPherson College students will have increased access to KU School of Medicine’s Rural Scholars and Urban Scholars programs, providing guaranteed admissions for qualified undergraduates. Additionally, faculty, staff, and students from KU’s Salina campus will visit McPherson College as guest lecturers in classes and at pre-professional organization activities. The collaboration will also facilitate connections between McPherson College undergraduate researchers and KU School of Medicine students. As part of the collaboration, KU School of Medicine will provide a scholarship for one McPherson College student to participate in mentored student research and team-teaching experiences.
“Rural healthcare is in crisis,” said Dr. Tyler Hughes, dean of the University of Kansas School of Medicine-Salina. “This collaboration is aimed at helping rural students have access to the pathway that leads to a satisfying career in the medical field. Teamwork between KU School of Medicine-Salina and liberal arts colleges in Kansas will aid in building a pipeline of excellent medical professionals for rural patients throughout our state.”
McPherson College’s commitment to healthcare education continues to grow. In addition to its well-established natural science program, the college launched a new Health Science program in 2020, offering academic tracks in clinical, administrative, behavioral, and community health. The college also partnered with the McPherson Center for Health to provide hands-on learning experiences in clinical and non-clinical areas of the hospital. In June 2024, McPherson College received $2.1 million in congressionally directed funding from Senator Jerry Moran to support rural and community health initiatives.