“There may not be helicopters flying out here every day to deliver us patients in critical need, but the care that is being delivered in rural areas all around Kentucky is as important as the care found in a tertiary hospital,” shared Brent Wright, associate dean for rural health innovation.

The University of Louisville School of Medicine is affiliated with a number of excellent, newsworthy hospitals that provide high-quality, sub-specialized care to patients dealing with elevated, difficult-to-treat illnesses, injuries and conditions. What many don’t realize, though, is that ULSOM is also connected to a number of rural hospitals and family medicine practices around the state—and those teams are delivering care that is equally impactful.

Wright is an advocate for these rural care teams, especially the teams tied to the Family Medicine Residency Programs in Glasgow and Owensboro. As both an administrator and a practicing family medicine physician in Glasgow, Wright sees firsthand the impact that family medicine and rural care teams have on communities across the state, whether they are filled with dirt roads or have only the basic signs of rurality.

While specialists in major cities perform organ transplants and conduct complex surgeries, Wright is called daily to serve in rural settings. His commitment extends beyond his own practice – he is dedicated to training the next generation of physicians to choose this path, too.

“We are on the frontlines of health care, keeping blood pressures low, managing medications and educating patients about the importance of regular screenings,” explained Wright. “We are giving our patients an extra twenty years at home with their families as we work diligently to prevent serious illnesses and catch conditions before they do require trips to bigger cities with larger hospitals.”

The numbers speak for themselves. The Glasgow and Owensboro Family Medicine Residency Programs together graduate 10 residents each year. In their first year of independent practice, each graduate will see approximately 5,000 patient visits. That’s 50,000 patient appointments in just one year, impacting lives across Kentucky before these physicians even reach their second year in practice.

As more family medicine physicians spread throughout the state, more prevention, education and impact will happen in every corner of Kentucky. These efforts, driven by the School of Medicine’s training programs and outreach initiatives are creating healthier communities with each new day, all thanks to an esteemed team of service-driven physicians.

Though the University of Louisville’s campus sits in the heart of the city, its influence reaches far beyond Metro Louisville. Faculty like Wright ensure that Kentuckians receive high-quality care, whether they live in Louisville, in the hills of Eastern Kentucky or between the lakes in Western Kentucky.

On behalf of the School of Medicine, we extend our gratitude to the rural physicians who keep patients healthy, close to home and surrounded by the people they love.