TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Eighteen students selected from across the state recently completed the 2005 Rural Health Scholars Program at The University of Alabama.

The program introduces rural students to college life and gives them an orientation to the need for health and medical professionals in rural communities like their own. They take field trips to rural hospitals and to one of the state’s medical schools and learn more about how to prepare academically for these careers. The students lived on campus for five weeks. Chosen based on academic achievement and interest in rural health care, these students take two courses for college credit and attend seminars. The program is in its 12th year at UA in the College of Community Health Sciences.

The 2005 UA Rural Health Scholars included:

Antonio Garner (second from left) and Joel Cassidy, both seniors from Autauga County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Christina Whatley (center), a senior from Bibb County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Quintavious Rover (center), a senior from Bullock County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

John Chrisenten (center), a senior from Covington County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Andrea Weeks (center), a senior from Hale County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Brooks Jones (center), a senior from Hale County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Stephanie Buckner (center), a senior from Jackson County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Ashley Miller (center), a senior from Limestone County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Courtney Steele (center), a senior from Macon County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Collins Peterson (center), a senior from Marengo County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Will Roden (second from left) and Daniel Perkins (second from right), both seniors from Marshall County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Kristen Wearbon (center), a senior from Perry County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Erica McDaniels (second from left) and Shelley Wheat (second from right), both seniors from Pickens County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Anne Pelfrey (center), a senior from Pike County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Celsa Allende (center), a senior from Randolph County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Ashley Houser (center), a senior from Shelby County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Angel Macon (center), a senior from Talladega County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.

Cameron James (center), a senior from Walker County, pictured with Cynthia Moore (right), assistant director of the UA Rural Health Scholars Program, and Dr. John Wheat (left), professor of community and rural medicine in the UA College of Community Health Sciences.