As we reiterate the need for primary care physicians across the state, we focuson the fact that 107 out of 120 counties in Kentucky are Health Professions Shortage Areas (HPSA). While many associate this shortage with rural communities, urban areas like Louisville face the same challenge. Families living just minutes from major hospitals often lack access to consistent, nearby primary care. 

To address this critical need, the University of Louisville School of Medicine(ULSOM) launched the Distinction Track inUrban Primary Care , now entering its second year. The track prepares students to become competent, compassionate primary care physicians who understand both the challenges and strengths of the communities they care for. By pairing rigorous medical education with community-based learning, the track ensures students graduate with the tools to improve health equity in urban environments. 

Led by Jennifer Porter, associate professor in the department of pediatrics, and Clayton Smith, associate professor of internal medicine, the curriculum highlights how social and environmental factors, such as food insecurity, transportation barriers and exposure to pollution, directly shape health outcomes. Students don’t just learn these concepts in the classroom; they step into the community to experience them firsthand. In one exercise, students navigate Louisville’s public transportation system to simulate traveling to a clinic appointment. The experience builds empathy for patients who face delays or missed visits due to factors outside their control, reinforcing the importance of designing care that meets patients where they are. 

“Primary care can be challenging due to the number of issues patients may have that cannot be remedied by a prescription,” shared Jennifer Porter. “The track encourages long-term commitment to primary care through learning how vital it is to understand the challenges patients face and the resources that are available to help them. By teaching our students how to help the whole patient, they are empowered to see primary care not as overwhelming, but as essential and deeply rewarding.” 

Students also connect with local community partners to learn about the plethora of resources available for patients around Louisville. These collaborations not only deepen student understanding but also reassure community organizations that the next generation of physicians is invested in improving health beyond the clinic walls. 

“Our responsibility as a medical school extends outside the classroom and into the neighborhoods around us,” said Kelli Bullard Dunn, vice dean of community engagement. “This track shows our students that medicine is not just about diagnosing and treating; it’sabout listening, partnering and finding solutions together with the community. That’s how lasting impact is made.” 

As the Distinction Track in Urban Primary Care grows, it reflects ULSOM’s broader commitment to training physicians for all environments, from rural counties to urban neighborhoods. The program strengthens the medical school’s mission to advance student success in undergraduate medical education while improving health outcomes for Kentuckians.  

Because everyone deserves access to quality care, wherever they live.