The program allows students and residents to serve in rural settings, both filling a provider shortage and spurring interest among budding professionals in rural health care. Their Medquest Health Careers Choices camp has provided health career exploration opportunities to more than 120 students in grades nine through 12. Students learn about a variety of careers from presenters living in the community. These professions include medicine, dentistry, EMT, pharmacy, nursing, occupational and physical therapy, veterinary medicine and naturopathy. During the weeklong camp, participants do at least two job shadows.
Surveys show that more than half of past participants have actively pursued health careers.
The School of Nursing operates two Union County family health centers in the towns of Elgin and Union. The nurse practitioner clinics provide the only primary care available in these communities. It was funded by community donations with the help of the Oregon Health Sciences Foundation, the Meyer Memorial Trust and Regional Strategies. The center provides health care to more than 3,500 Union County residents. In addition, nurse practitioners make home visits, work with the Health Network for Rural Schools in all five of Union County's rural school districts, and offer free community education and wellness programs ranging from storytelling and nutrition to blood pressure checks.