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The Ohio Academy of Family Physicians recently announced that Dawn Mollica, administrative director for the Office of Rural and Underserved Programs at the 51社区 Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine was selected to receive its 2024 Friend of Family Medicine Award.

As an administrative director with ORUP, Dawn leads initiatives for students and community stakeholders to advance health care education and outreach to underserved communities in Ohio. One of those initiatives is the Rural and Urban Scholars Pathways program, which prepares students to practice medicine in underserved areas. Last year, the program celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

鈥淧rogram participation in RUSP has increased sevenfold. I am in awe of these students who are really making an impact,鈥� said Mollica.

The OAFP noted that Mollica is a passionate health care advocate and strategic leader with a demonstrated history of success in rural health care access and program management. She also serves as a state representative for the Rural Health Policy Institute and orchestrates visits with legislators on Capitol Hill for students and community stakeholders to advocate for health care policy reform and promote awareness of rural health care challenges. Two of the students who attend the RHPI conference each year are delegates from a small group of students who attend the Rural Health Scholars Retreat each fall.  The annual retreat, which Mollica plans and facilitates, is for medical students in Ohio who are interested in generalist rural practice.

More information about the award and Mollica鈥檚 career, can be found in the .