From staff reports TAHLEQUAH – A workshop aiming to counter the critical shortage of doctors in Oklahoma’s rural and tribal communities is set for Sept. 13. The annual Native American Pre-Admission workshop prepares aspiring Native physicians for med school with hopes they will return to serve their communities.
Hosted by the Native American Students of Osteopathic Medicine, the event will run from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Oklahoma State University College of Osteopathic Medicine, 19500 E. Ross St., in Tahlequah.
Open to American Indian or Alaska Native students planning to apply to medical school in fall 2026 or later, the workshop offers handson support with applications, mock interviews, personal statement reviews and essay feedback. Participants also will learn how to apply for the Indian Health Service Scholarship and explore OSU’s Tribal Medical Track, a pathway designed to prepare doctors for practice in rural and tribal areas.
Facing one of the most severe rural physician shortages in the nation, more than half of the Oklahoma’s 77 counties are considered medically underserved, and the gap is especially wide in rural areas. On average, rural communities have only 40 primary care doctors per 100,000 residents compared to more than 53 per 100,000 in urban areas.
NAPA program organizers hope that by providing training, mentorship and a supportive network, more Native students will feel empowered to succeed in medical school and eventually return home to improve access to care.
“This program is about preparing Native students to succeed in medical school and to use their skills where they are needed most,” organizers said. “For many rural and tribal communities, having even one more local doctor can make a life-changing difference.”
By empowering the next generation of Native and rural-focused physicians, the workshop aims to help strengthen health care access for communities that need it most.
The workshop is free and lunch is provided. For details and registration, visit https://applyhealth. okstate.edu/register/? id=3952cf52-02354758-ba4c-9794f99ba09b.