At the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine (UNR Med), the Rural Outreach Clinic (ROC) continues to expand access to care for underserved communities while giving medical students hands-on experience in rural health. Through volunteer-driven clinics in communities such as Yerington, Fallon and Silver Springs, students and faculty work together to provide free medical services to patients who are often uninsured, underinsured or facing significant barriers to care. 

The Rural Outreach Clinic is part of a larger network of student-led outreach efforts overseen by Daniel Spogen, M.D., a physician in the Department of Family Medicine and the medical director of all student outreach programs. Dr. Spogen has served in this role since 2007, guiding the evolution of the program from an occasional student clinic into a comprehensive system that now includes the Student Outreach Clinic, Rural Outreach Clinic and Street Medicine Clinic. 

Rural Outreach Clinic 2025 impact data: 

• 15 clinicals held

• 179 patients seen 

• 14 referrals to specialists 

• 18 patients immunized  

• 99 patients received lab draws

• 329 labs drawn 

While the clinics rely heavily on student volunteers, faculty physicians provide supervision and mentorship. According to Spogen, most students participate on a voluntary basis, though fourth-year medical students can also earn elective credit. About 93% of medical students have volunteered at least once in a Student Outreach Clinic, making community service a defining part of their education and training.  

“It’s been awesome,” Spogen said. “Students are great to work with.” 

Practicing medicine in rural Nevada presents unique challenges, particularly when it comes to limited resources and access to specialty care. Spogen noted that while rural clinics often provide the same basic services as urban practices, the lack of specialists and diagnostic resources requires creativity and coordination. 

“Resources are limited,” Spogen said. “Sometimes just getting tests done requires manipulation of those resources.” 

He recalled a particularly meaningful case involving a farm worker in Yerington who needed specialized heart valve surgery unavailable locally. Through coordination with specialists in Reno and support services to cover costs, the patient ultimately received lifesaving care. 

“That was a real special moment, I think, as far as real care,” Spogen said. 

Much of the day-to-day operation of the Rural Outreach Clinic is led by medical students themselves. Benjamin D. Smith, a second-year medical student, serves as the student manager of the clinic, having been elected to the role during his first year. Alongside fellow student managers, Smith helps coordinate clinic logistics, volunteers, labs and immunizations. 

“The Rural Outreach Clinic is a volunteer clinic that medical students will sign up for to get more clinical experience,” Smith said. 

Smith explained that the clinic primarily serves uninsured and underinsured patients, many of whom are Spanish-speaking immigrants working in agriculture. For many patients, the Rural Outreach Clinic is their only source of medical care while they are in Nevada. 

“We’re really the only source of health care that they have when they’re here,” Smith said. “I’ve really just had my eyes open to the different health discrepancies that our rural populations face.” 

Through his leadership role, Smith said he has gained a deeper understanding of rural health disparities, including transportation challenges and limited access to imaging and specialty services. 

One of the clinic’s most notable innovations this year was the launch of a pop-up pediatric clinic in Fallon, created in partnership with Centro de la Familia, a local preschool. The idea emerged after staff noticed many families were traveling long distances for required school physicals. Instead, students brought the clinic directly to the community. 

“Why don’t we go to them?” Smith said. “We were able to set up a pop-up clinic at their preschool and see more pediatric patients than we would in a regular clinic.” 

The pop-up clinic operated out of an empty preschool building, complete with exam tables, lab services and vaccines. The success of the event has led to plans for additional pop-up pediatric clinics in both Fallon and Yerington. 

“We agreed to do two a year,” Smith said. “The limitation is really just the amount of work it takes for medical students to run these clinics.” 

Both Spogen and Smith emphasized that rural outreach is not only about patient care, but also about encouraging students to remain in Nevada to practice medicine. Research consistently shows that physicians are more likely to stay in areas where they train, particularly when exposed to rural and underserved settings. 

“The more experiences we can offer in Nevada sites, including rural sites, the more likely students are to stay in our area,” Spogen said. 

For Smith, the experience has already shaped his long-term goals. While he plans to pursue radiology, he hopes to continue supporting rural communities through future outreach efforts. 

“Rural health care is super important,” Smith said. “Even if I’m not practicing in a rural area, I definitely have an interest in serving our rural populations.” 

Beyond clinical care, the Rural Outreach Clinic also collaborates with the Street Medicine Clinic, another student-led program that brings basic medical services directly to people experiencing homelessness. Plans are underway to adapt this model for migrant farm workers in rural areas, further expanding the clinic’s reach. Reflecting on the year, Smith said one of the most meaningful aspects of his role has been working with an interprofessional team of students, physicians, residents and community partners. 

“It’s been a great professional and personal development experience for me,” Smith said. “It’s really opened up a whole world that I did not expect myself getting into entering medical school.” 

Through faculty mentorship and student leadership, the Rural Outreach Clinic continues to demonstrate how education, service and community partnership can come together to improve health outcomes across Nevada’s rural communities.