Cumberland River Hospital recently welcomed two fourth year medical students from Lincoln Memorial University – DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine, which is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. On January 10, 2011, Leroy Butler and Stephie Kang began their eight week community hospital rotation at CRH, with Dr. J. Lee Copeland as their preceptor during their clinical rotation.

Hospital administrator, Andrea Rich-McLerran, states “it is our hope that these students will learn in an environment where patient safety, compassion, courtesy and attributes such as respect, hard work, and good communication are valued. I think the patients will also enjoy being part of this educational process.  We believe this relationship with DeBusk College of Osteopathic Medicine will be mutually beneficial to both organizations – the students will learn about healthcare in a rural hospital setting, and the hospital will have an opportunity to assist in the educational process and perhaps influence a medical student to make Clay County their practice location upon completion of their residency program.”

There will be future medical students who will complete this rural hospital rotation as well.