The Rural and Underserved Service Track (TRUST)
Program Overview
The Rural and Underserved Service Track (TRUST) is a collaboration between Binghamton University’s Decker College of Nursing and Health Sciences, School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and Department of Social Work, and SUNY Upstate Medical University and the community. The main goal of this unique, competitive, co-curricular track is to develop a group of healthcare professionals dedicated to caring for rural, underserved populations through interprofessional teamwork.
By providing direct patient care in free clinics, promoting health literacy/cultural competency, and participating in community education/ outreach, TRUST Scholars collaboratively develop and deliver much needed care to underserved, rural populations. Each year a group of students from the four professional schools are selected and admitted into the program (approximately seven-eight/discipline). In addition, Rural and Underserved Health Scholars participate in conferences focusing on health policy and advocacy activities affecting underserved populations. TRUST requirements focus on the following competencies:
- Cultural and linguistic differences
- Professional and ethical conduct
- Multiple constituencies
- Population health
- Healthcare financing and management
- Interprofessional teamwork and leadership
- Community resources
- Resource constraints
- Quality improvement and patient safety
- Health policy
- Advocacy
TRUST is a two-year “add-on” program that runs concurrently to the main curriculum within the four participating schools and provides its scholars with enhanced learning opportunities. Mastery of the competencies is accomplished via community-based patient care, advocacy and research activities as described above as well as active participation at quarterly learning retreats.
At each learning retreat, students are introduced to different vulnerable patient populations to enhance their knowledge and understanding of healthcare issues and barriers specific to that population. Populations covered include: children and youth, the elderly, the homeless, immigrants and refugees, members of the LGBTQ+ community, those with substance abuse history and the incarcerated/ex-offenders. A unique component of TRUST is the strong connection with community partners such as community health centers and primary care organizations. TRUST Scholars are mentored by both faculty and community-based practitioners and all learning retreats feature community clinicians, clients and social service agency representatives. All learning experiences have an interprofessional emphasis.
TRUST is also now a micro-credential at Binghamton University, awarding this distinction to each student who completes all of the requirements of the program.
Interested in applying to the TRUST Track?
Applications for the 2024-25 cohort for the TRUST Program are due Friday,
Aug. 30, 2024 by 5pm.
