Driven to Support Health in Rural Minnesota

Our programs focused on rural health are designed to positively impact — in clear and measurable ways — the health and wellbeing of people and communities in rural Minnesota.

Advancing Rural Health in Greater Minnesota

Led by Associate Vice President for Global and Rural Health Dr. Shailey Prasad, we are developing strategies to address the needs of rural Minnesota — including access to health care — and increase our ability to support the providers and teams who work there.

Developing and Strengthening Minnesota’s Health Care Workforce

Like much of the U.S., Minnesota faces a growing shortage of health professionals—particularly in our small towns and rural communities. We are driven to prepare and train Minnesota's newest health care professionals who are ready to meet the changing needs of communities across Minnesota and around the world. We partner with community leaders and clinical partners to expand training options across the state, as well as provide professional development for current health professionals throughout Minnesota with knowledge and skills that can be directly applied in health care and clinical learning environments.

Rural Health Initiative

Led by Dr. Katy Kozhimannil, the Rural Health Initiative includes:

• Greater engagement with University of Minnesota faculty, students, and staff doing rural-relevant work as well as local rural health leaders, and linking national research from the University of Minnesota Rural Health Research Center with local communities in Minnesota.
• A Postdoctoral Fellowship program in rural health equity.
• Project REACH (Rural Experts Advancing Community Health) that offers training and support to community leaders in rural Minnesota to address local health challenges.