VALLEY — Health professions students who have expressed an interest in future rural practice will be spending five days in Rio Grande County learning about and investigating all aspects of small town personal, professional, and community life. This Interdisciplinary Rural Immersion Week is sponsored by The University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, in conjunction with the Rural Track program and Colorado Area Health Education Center program office.

Approximately 25 students and faculty/staff will be in Rio Grande County Monday, June 5th through Friday, June 9th. Participants will include medical, physician assistant, pharmacy and advanced practice nursing students from the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, as well as veterinary medicine students from Colorado State University. The students will split into groups and begin the task of investigating what makes a rural community work from the standpoint of:

• Business, economy/economic development, and local government;
• Natural resources, agriculture, environment, wildlife, and tourism;
• Education, community life, arts, culture, and faith-based organizations; and
• Healthcare, human services, public safety, and law enforcement

The students will attend a scheduled orientation on Monday afternoon in which local leaders associated with the areas listed above will speak briefly to the students to help them learn about the aspects of life and work in Rio Grande County.

The students will also receive additional contact information for people and businesses/organizations representing the focus areas. They are encouraged to connect with as many people as possible during designated community exploration time on Tuesday in Monte Vista, Wednesday in Del Norte, and Thursday in South Fork. As you encounter one or a group of these students during their visit, please assist them by answering their questions and sharing what it means to live in and be a part of Rio Grande County.

Rio Grande Hospital is assisting with the coordination of the week and has organized tours of a farm and the hospital. The students will also hear about economic development activities in the region and experience a country-style barbecue in Del Norte. On Friday morning, the student groups will present their findings to each other, the speakers from the orientation, news media, and any interested community members.

For additional information, please contact Bonnie Asplin at 719-657-2827 or Melanie DeHerrera at 303-724-0340 or [email protected].