To improve health care in these areas, many of the same principles outlined above can be implemented. I plan to settle in rural Minnesota and combat health disparities in a way that meets the specific needs of that particular community. Currently, I am working to reduce health disparities in Duluth through the role of Operations Director at HOPE Clinic. HOPE Clinic serves low-income people without access to health care who are often homeless and living at CHUM. My goal is to connect these patients with primary care services at Lake Superior Community Health Center, an affordable option with sliding-scale fees for care. In the future, I intend on training with RPAP to maximize my effectiveness in rural settings.
Together my passion for preventing chronic disease and experiences like RPAP will prepare me to reverse the negative trends in US healthcare in the rural community where I will live. Educating patients on pathways to health and collaborating with other organizations to develop wellness initiatives will ultimately reduce the cost of healthcare by decreasing the incidence of chronic disease. Primary care physicians must recognize the importance of their role in the longitudinal care of patients and capitalize on their ability to promote healthy lifestyles in their patients, I know I