The UAB Comprehensive Urban Underserved and Rural Experience (CU2RE) program has launched the CU2RE Primary Care Pipeline Program. The program aims to increase the preparedness of undergraduate students from medically underserved and rural communities in Alabama and neighboring states to successfully enter medical school and pursue a career as a primary care physician.

According to the Health Resources and Services Administration, 62 of Alabama's 67 counties have a shortage of primary care physicians. To maintain current rates of utilization, Alabama will need an additional 612 primary care physicians by 2030, a 23 percent increase compared to the state's current 2,646 PCP workforce, according to the Robert Graham Center.

The program admitted its first cohort last month, welcoming 13 undergraduate students who are interested in careers in medicine.

The program is open to sophomores and juniors who are enrolled in a four-year degree program and interested in applying to medical school. After being accepted into the program, students will be able to access the tools needed for a successful medical school application, such as opportunities to tour medical facilities and shadow primary care providers, educational experiences and guided discussions, mentorship from current medical students, and more.