The faculty for the camps is composed of health professions faculty, health professionals currently in practice, high school guidance counselors, and health professions college/graduate students.

Eligible Students:

Rural High school students in their freshman, sophomore or junior year with priority given to current feshmen and sophomores are invited to attend a Rural Health Careers Camp. 

The Northern Illinois camp hosted at Northern Illinois Univeristy in De Kalb, Illinois serves high school students residing in the 14 counties of Northern IL Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Region.  These 14 counties include: Jo Daviess, Carroll, Stephenson, Winnebago, Boone, Ogle, De Kalb, Whiteside, Lee, Rock Island, Henry, Bureau, La Salle and Putnam.  Student applications for the NIU camp should be returned by May 1, 2009 to:

The Centralia camp serves students from these 9 high schools:  Mater Dei Catholic High School, Centralia High School, Carlyle High School, Mt. Vernon Township High School, Patoka Jr./Sr.  High, Salem Community High School, South Central High School, Vandalia Community High School, and Woodlawn High School.  Student applications for the Centralia camp should be returned by June, 1, 2009 to:

Activities:

Northern IL campers will stay at a dormitory on the campus of Northern Illinois University in De Kalb.   The Centralia Camp will be a day camp experience over a two day period.  Campers will have the option of rotating to see/experience various health careers and participate in some recreational facilities.  All meals and recreation are provided during the scheduled times for each camp. 

Application:

Student nomination/application forms can be downloaded in February 2009 at the bottom of this page.

Cost:

There is no cost for attending the camp.  We do suggest parents make a $25 tax-deductible donation to the Health Careers Pipeline Fund which will help fund future camps. 

Sponsors:

UIC National Center for Rural Health Professions

Northern Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC)
NIU College of Health and Human Sciences
NIU College of Education

NIU Department of Public Safety (NIU Police)

UIC College of Medicine at Rockford, Rural Medical Education Program

Kishwaukee Hospital

City of DeKalb Fire Department

OSF St. Anthony's Lifeline Helicopter Services (Rockford)

Saint Mary's and Good Samaritan Hospitals

Kaskaskia College

Funded by:

IL Dept. of Public Health - Center for Rural Health

Northern Illinois AHEC

National Center for Rural Health Professions, U of I College of Medicine, Rockford

Saint Mary's and Good Samaritan Hospitals

Contact:

Questions regarding the NIU camp can be directed to Vicki Weidenbacher-Hoper at vweide1@uic.edu or call (815) 395-5854. 

Questions regarding the Centralia camp can be directed to Rose Aldag-McVey at (618) 241-1742. 

For questions about rural medical education (RMED) program, contact Mark Meurer at phone #  815- 395-5782
Email: MMeurer@uic.edu