Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways Program FAQs

The intent of this program is to welcome any Heritage College student to start down the path toward practice in an underserved setting. Students are encouraged to apply if they are considering practicing in any underserved community – (1) whether rural, urban or international and (2) whether in primary care or some other specialty of primary importance to these communities (e.g., OB-GYN, EM or general surgery). Come explore with us! 

Although it is true that birth origin is a predictor of subsequent practice and we are looking for those individuals, the fact is that most entering medical students did not grow up in such an area, and many physicians in rural and underserved practice are from an urban upbringing. In addition, we do not score applicants based on this criteria. A Selection Committee considers who will make a great scholar by assessing the whole package, the whole person – it’s the osteopathic way.

You do not have to be an Ohio resident to participate in RUSP.

We have created an online form called "RUSP Recommendation Form" for you to share with you references.  Entering students can ask anyone they wish to complete the RUSP Recommendation Form. Students applying during their first year of medical school need to provide two recommendations, at least one one of which must come from a Heritage College faculty member or staff.

Students should send the link to the RUSP Recommendation Form to those providing a reference.   If your reference experiences technical difficulties completing the online form, they can contact  Dawn Mollica, administrative director, Office of Rural and Underserved Programs, via email at: mollicd1@ohio.edu .

Applications are reviewed after the application deadline. Applicants will be notified within 30 days of the final submission deadline.  Applicants will be given two weeks to accept or decline membership in RUSP.

An interview is not required to be accepted into the RUSP program. 

That is why we’re calling it a "pathways" program. Physicians take many different paths to rural and underserved urban practice. Some individuals will enter the program and decide for whatever reason that it is not for them. We expect and have designed the program to grow through the four years of medical school, even if a scholar leaves after the first year.  

Once students are admitted to the program they do not have to reapply, however, we ask students to opt in/out of the RUSP program each year.

Yes, you can participate in the RUSP program. You will go through the same admission process as everyone else.

We have an associate director on all three campuses.  

Athens campus - Katy Kropf, D.O. at kropf@ohio.edu

Cleveland campus - Jessica Griggs, D.O. at JG542121@ohio.edu

Dublin campus - Robin Newburn, D.O. at newburnr@ohio.edu

All scholarships are centralized through the Office of Student Affairs. However, RUSP students may receive preference for particular scholarships.