Medical Students Learn About Dorchester County

On a sunny, crisp fall morning students from the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine got a glimpse of the beauty and history of Dorchester County. While doing their four week primary care rotation on the Eastern Shore (from Cecil County to Worcester County) hosted by Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (Eastern Shore AHEC), enjoyed a day off to soak up the Eastern Shore culture. Susan Meredith, owner of Blackwater Paddle and Pedal Adventures guided the students on a kayaking tour of Blackwater Wildlife Refuge.

Mrs. Meredith explained the ecosystem and how the plants and animals interact. Students were able to get a glimpse of Osprey, Great Blue Heron, Egrets, Bald Eagles, Delmarva Fox Squirrel, and various ducks and birds while slowly paddling along the calm waters.

Not only did the students learn about the ecosystem but Susan brought the history of Dorchester County alive through stories and a quick history lesson about the lives of Harriet Tubman, Annie Oakley and Anna Ella Carroll. Mrs. Meredith's enthusiasm was contagious and the stories she told made you want to learn more about their fascinating lives. The journey ended with a trip back in time to the historic Bucktown Store, which Mrs. Meredith and her husband Jay painstakingly restored.

Andrea Kelly, the Clinical Education Coordinator at the Eastern Shore Area Health Education Center (ESAHEC) recruits primary care physicians to be preceptors for fourth year University of Maryland School of Medicine students.

The AHEC also provides housing, which is funded by the University Of Maryland School Of Medicine, for the students during their four week stay on the Eastern Shore. The rotation focuses on sharing the need for primary care physicians on the Eastern Shore in hopes that the students will want to return after their residencies to practice on the Shore.

For more information or to become a preceptor please contact Andrea Kelly at the Eastern Shore AHEC at 410-221-2600 or clined@esahec.org

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