East Central AHEC hosted the Central Illinois Virtual Healthcare Symposium this month for first-year RMED students at RMED, the Rural Medical Education program.

East Central is based as at Gibson Area Hospital and Health Services (GAHHS) in Gibson City.

The students were able to meet with GAHHS hospital administration, physicians, and other health professionals over Zoom to learn about rural health care in Central Illinois. They met the hospital CEO, Rob Schmitt, who provided a great overview of the hospital’s service area and the services provided by GAHHS.

Dr. David Hagan, the hospital’s chief strategy officer, gave an informative presentation on rural health disparities. The students also met with a dentist, an interventional radiologist, members of the behavioral health team, and members of the pharmacy.

All the health professionals shared their career journeys, what services they provide in their department, and how they work with physicians to provide care to residents of the region.

RMED is an option of UIC College of Medicine in Rockford. RMED is housed in the National Center for Rural Health Professions.