The application window is now open for Sampson Regional Medical Center’s Pre-Medicine Rural Medicine Clerkship, a 10-week summer experience designed to introduce college students to hands-on clinical practice and the unique opportunities of rural healthcare.

The program is open to college pre-medicine students who have completed their freshman year and graduated from a high school in Sampson County within the past four years. Selected participants will receive a $4,500 stipend (approximately $15 per hour based on a 30-hour work week). The clerkship offers a flexible summer schedule and an immersive experience that goes beyond traditional shadowing.

“The Pre-Medicine Rural Medicine Clerkship is part of the hospital’s continued commitment to developing the next generation of healthcare professionals and strengthening access to care in rural communities,” said CEO and Chief Medical Officer  Dr. Shawn Howerton in a press release

The Pre-Medicine Rural Medicine Clerkship focuses on introductory skill development in patient care and clinical medicine. All activities are supervised by an attending physician, and students will actively participate in clinical workflows rather than observing alone. During the 10-week program, participants will spend six weeks working in primary care and two weeks each in general surgery and inpatient medicine. 

“This program is designed to give motivated students a true introduction to rural medicine,” said Amber Halstead, VP of Business Development and representative from the Graduate Medical Education Department in a press release. “Participants will gain supervised, hands-on clinical exposure while building essential communication and patient-care skills.”

Qualified applicants must have completed their freshman year in college, maintain a GPA of 3.6, and have graduated from a Sampson County high school within the last four years. Up to three applicants will be selected based on available resources, the strength of the applicant pool, essay responses, and organizational needs.

Interested students can learn more about the clerkship and apply online by visiting www.SampsonRMC.org/clerkship