How Piedmont AHEC Housing Support Helps Future Healthcare Providers Thrive in Rural Communities

At the heart of Piedmont AHEC’s mission is a commitment to strengthening North Carolina’s healthcare workforce, especially in underserved and rural communities. Since its founding, Piedmont AHEC has played a vital role in supporting graduate medical education through stipends, residency program support, and crucially, housing assistance.

For medical students like Arjun Patel, housing support is more than just a place to stay; it is a gateway to meaningful, hands-on experience—especially in rural medicine.

“I was assigned to Rockingham County for my summer clinical experience as part of the community health track,” said Patel, a student in the UNC School of Medicine’s three-year community health program. “I wanted to rotate in a rural clinic, and my assigned site was far from home. That’s when I learned about Piedmont AHEC’s housing options.”

Clinical rotations are a critical phase in medical education where students transition from classroom learning to real-world clinical practice. During these rotations, students work under the supervision of experienced physicians, gaining hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating patients across various specialties. In rural settings, these rotations have a particularly significant impact. They expose students to the unique challenges of providing care in underserved areas, such as limited resources, broader scopes of practice, and the need for cultural and linguistic sensitivity. Additionally, research shows that students who train in rural communities are significantly more likely to return to those areas to practice, helping to address persistent healthcare shortages—further underwriting the importance of providing housing in these areas.

Patel spent his summer at Western Rockingham Family Medicine in Madison, NC, where he immersed himself in the realities of rural healthcare. His experience underscored the unique challenges and rewards of practicing in a rural setting—where physicians often serve as the first and only point of contact for patients with complex needs.

“One of the biggest benefits was observing how adaptability and resourcefulness are key in rural communities,” Patel shared. “Physicians had to think creatively, coordinate care across long distances, and take on roles that might be referred out in urban settings. It was inspiring.”

One such physician is Dr. Joshua Dettinger, the clinic’s only Spanish-speaking physician. “It was incredible to see how his ability to communicate directly built instant trust. It reminded me how powerful culturally sensitive care is in medicine, and how much that is needed in rural settings.”

For many students, the cost and logistics of temporary housing can be a barrier to pursuing rural rotations. Piedmont AHEC’s housing support removes that barrier, enabling students to focus on learning and serving. This investment not only benefits the students but also the communities they serve—many of which face persistent shortages in the healthcare sphere.

“Overall, this experience has really strengthened my desire to pursue rural medicine,” Patel said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity and everything I’ve learned.”

As North Carolina continues to face growing healthcare needs, especially in rural areas, Piedmont AHEC remains committed to supporting the next generation of healthcare providers—starting with a place to call home.