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Rural PRIME | Community Health Scholars | M.D. Program Pathways | UC Davis School of Medicine

Rural PRIME

Rural PRIME was developed to prepare future physicians for careers in rural practice, addressing critical workforce shortages, improving access to care, and reducing health disparities in rural communities.

Program highlights include:

  • Recruits students with meaningful lived experience in rural communities who are committed to practicing and improving health care access in rural California
  • 20+ weeks of core clerkships in rural communities
  • Opportunities for two- or four-week electives in rural and underserved settings
  • Community-based learning experiences throughout all four years of medical school
  • Additional training focused on the unique health needs of rural populations
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Rural Program in Medical Education

Established in 2007, Rural PRIME is part of the University of California’s PRIME (Programs in Medical Education) initiative, which prepares physician leaders committed to serving California’s underserved communities.

Rural PRIME trains future physicians dedicated to advancing health equity in rural California. Although nearly 20% of Californians live in rural areas, only about 9% of physicians practice there — contributing to significant disparities in access to care and health outcomes.

Program Goals

The Rural PRIME pathway program aims to:

  • Inspire more physicians to practice in rural California communities — among the state’s most medically underserved areas
  • Reduce health inequities in rural communities
  • Improve the health and well-being of rural California residents
  • Build lasting partnerships with rural communities, hospitals, clinics, and physicians throughout the region
Why Choose Rural PRIME?

Students interested in rural health are encouraged to apply regardless of their eventual specialty choice.

  • Rural-Focused Curriculum

    Students receive additional education on topics affecting rural communities, including rural public health, pesticide exposure, addiction medicine, rural law, and other rural health challenges.

  • Community Engagement

    During the first two years, students visit organizations located in or serving rural communities to better understand the factors shaping rural health and access to care.

  • Summer Rural Elective

    Students complete a summer elective between the first and second years of medical school focused on rural and underserved communities.

  • Longitudinal Rural Training

    Students spend a minimum of 20 weeks during their clerkship year training at clinical sites in rural California communities.

    Explore our clerkship sites

  • Expanded Elective Opportunities

    Students have access to the COMET (California Oregon Medical Education and Training) Collaborative, a partnership of medical education programs, health systems, public health organizations, community health centers, and community-based organizations focused on strengthening care in rural and underserved communities across Northern California and Southern Oregon.

    Through COMET Collaborative, students gain additional elective and community-based training opportunities throughout all four years of medical school.

    Learn more about COMET Collaborative
Frequently Asked Questions

All Community Health Scholars (CHS) students participate in a required in-person orientation held approximately three weeks before the start of UC Davis School of Medicine orientation, typically in late June or early July.

Following orientation, students may choose to participate in the Pre-Matriculation Program, which offers an early introduction to the learning skills and academic strategies that support success in medical school. Information about applying to this program is provided upon admission to the UC Davis School of Medicine.

Learn more about the Pre-Matriculation Program

Many students apply and are strong candidates for both programs because of the overlap between rural and Central Valley health needs.

Both programs are designed for students committed to serving underserved communities, but each focuses on a different population and training experience:

  • Rural PRIME focuses on rural health across Northern and Central California. Students receive rural health-focused training and complete a minimum of 20 weeks of clerkships in rural communities.
  • REACH focuses on California’s Central Valley, with curriculum and clinical experiences centered on Central Valley communities and health issues. Students complete a minimum of 24 weeks of clerkship training in the region.

Learn more about the REACH pathway

Students are expected to maintain their primary residence in the Sacramento area throughout medical school.

For clerkships located in rural communities, we will provide housing. In addition, all UC Davis School of Medicine students receive a mileage stipend for travel to clinical sites located more than 25 miles away.

Learn more about our clerkship sites

No. Applicants do not need to be from a rural community to apply to Rural PRIME. However, students should demonstrate a strong commitment to practicing in California’s rural communities after completing their medical training.

No. California’s rural communities are underserved in all fields, ranging from primary care to specialty care. We want to train physicians who are committed to practicing in California’s rural communities after they complete their medical training, regardless of specialty.  

No. While there are many rural communities globally, the focus of the Rural PRIME curriculum is on local California rural health issues. 

However, UC Davis School of Medicine does have a global health program. 

Learn more about our global health program

No. A master’s degree is not required during medical school. However, students who choose to pursue one may be eligible for additional financial support.

Yes, Rural PRIME students are eligible for additional scholarship funding each year.