Rural Interprofessional Longitudinal Scholars (RIPLS) - Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice

The Rural Interprofessional Longitudinal Scholars program (RIPLS), supported by the William R. Kenan, Jr. Charitable Trust, connects graduate students from different professions who are dedicated to promoting health in rural settings. RIPLS enables UNC health professions students to serve and learn in underserved rural clinic settings in North Carolina. Since its launch in 2019, RIPLS has used a multi-faceted approach to respond to the increasing rural workforce needs in North Carolina and develops interprofessional collaboration opportunities by creating a unique experience where healthcare professionals and students work as a team to implement population-based interventions to improve care.

Opportunities and Experiences for RIPLS Scholars

Opportunities to collaborate directly with rural communities during the Summer Immersion
Mentorship from UNC faculty committed to rural health
Strong, interprofessional relationships with other students with a shared passion for rural health
Connection to professionals, community members, and organizations who have experience with rural healthcare systems
Support from an expansive network of students, faculty, and staff dedicated to interprofessional practice in rural health

“My experiences being raised in a rural community have helped me to realize that each rural community faces unique challenges regarding health and well-being. This has inspired me to be an advocate for rural communities, as they are often forgotten or lumped together into one big category. The RIPLS program is increasing my knowledge of the scope and work of other health professions as well as giving me a greater understanding of rural health issues.“

– Hannah Darr, Public Health, Cohort 3

Eligibility

The opportunity to participate in the RIPLS Program is available to any student earning a graduate degree in one of the following schools:

Our next application cycle begins in January 2023; Cohort 4 will be selected in February 2023. Applications will be distributed throughout the IPEP network of professional schools and posted on this website as soon as they become available. Interviews for RIPLS Cohort 4 will occur in January 2023.

The Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice (OIPEP) supports a campus-wide initiative for the intentional integration of interprofessional learning and collaboration. The purpose of the Office is to design and support creative and meaningful ways to enhance student learning, build faculty scholarship and help departments meet accreditation goals.