Welcome to the
Rural Reach Initiative (RRI)
Rural communities across Utah face ongoing challenges in accessing consistent, high-quality healthcare. Although a significant portion of the state’s population lives in rural areas, these communities often experience shortages of physicians, limited specialty care, and long travel distances for basic medical services. These barriers can delay care, complicate the management of chronic conditions, and contribute to poorer health outcomes compared to urban populations. Ensuring equitable access to healthcare for individuals and families in rural areas is essential to improving prevention, treatment, and overall well-being across the state.
The Rural Reach Initiative was created to help address these challenges by increasing early exposure to rural medicine for pre-medical students. By making rural shadowing opportunities more accessible, the initiative helps students understand the real-world impact of practicing medicine in underserved communities and encourages sustained interest in rural healthcare. We hope to inspire future physicians to serve where they are most needed and help strengthen access to care for rural populations.
Hi, I’m Kacey! Im originally from Southern California and I’m currently a senior at BYU majoring in neuroscience. I will be applying to medical school in the upcoming cycle. I have always been passionate about rural health and increasing access to care in underserved communities. I co-founded the Rural Health Initiative to make rural shadowing opportunities more accessible and to help more pre-med students learn about the importance, impact, and day-to-day reality of practicing medicine in rural settings. My goal is to give students meaningful clinical experiences while helping grow interest in caring for rural communities.
Founders
Hey, I’m Serina! I love the outdoors and spend as much time as I can skiing, golfing, and exploring new places. I grew up in Wyoming and now live in North Carolina, both of which shaped my appreciation for rural communities and the unique challenges they face. I’m a junior at BYU, majoring in Biology, and plan to take the MCAT and apply to medical school next May. Through my academic experiences and time spent in rural areas, I’ve become deeply interested in rural health and the impact limited access to care has on patients and providers alike. I was especially drawn to the close patient–physician relationships and the broad scope of practice that rural medicine offers. These experiences motivated me to co-found the Rural Health Initiative, where I focus on creating pathways for pre-med students to explore rural medicine through meaningful exposure and mentorship. My goal is to help students discover the value of rural healthcare and feel empowered to consider serving communities that are often overlooked.