UMES hosts first rural health fair

Princess Anne, Md. — The University of Maryland Eastern Shore’s Physician Assistant program is looking to boost the ranks of health care professionals in rural areas and keep students local after graduation – hosting their first ever Rural Health Career Fair Thursday.

The school said this is the inaugural iteration of the event, which connects their students with jobs locally. The event allowed students to meet with representatives from regional health care systems and smaller local providers.

Dr. Nicole Kitson – the PA school’s chair and program director – explained that they are working to fill a gap in health care access due to a lack of providers in rural areas.

“We decided to bring the career for this year to be able to help our students, to be able to secure employment primarily in rural areas. The purpose of UMES is to be able to help bridge that gap with the health care providers, as well as with the patients and the community,” Kitson said.

Kitson added that there are benefits for students and employers to get face-to-face time connecting. It shows the students what jobs are available to them locally and employers access to young talent readying to enter the job market.

Kitson said the event was possible thanks to funding that included some from the Maryland Rural Health Transformation Program – by the Maryland Department of Labor and was part of the RISE Advanced Provider Pathway Initiative.