By Laura Gasque
University of Alabama at Birmingham School of Nursing Instructor Melanie Baucom, DNP, CRNP, FNP-BC (BSN 2009, MSN 2010, DNP 2019), has been elected to the Alabama Rural Health Association Board of Directors. The ARHA promotes and advocates for rural health needs across Alabama.
Baucom is a family nurse practitioner who has provided primary care to rural and medically underserved patients for more than ten years. She is passionate about improving the quality of life for all Alabamians, especially those who have limited access to health care in rural and underresourced areas. Baucom hopes to foster partnerships and assist the ARHA in meeting its mission of advocating for rural health issues.
“Being a part of the ARHA Board of Directors will provide me with an opportunity to engage more meaningfully in rural health care issues throughout the state,” Baucom said. “I look forward to being able to network with members and continue working to improve access to health care for rural patients.”
Baucom leads the School’s Graduate Nursing Education Primary Care Scholars Program, mentoring nurse practitioner students who are dedicated to providing care in rural communities. Since its inception, more than 100 graduate nursing students have completed the program.
In 2014, a $1 million gift from The Daniel Foundation of Alabama helped the School create the GNEPCS Program. In 2021, the foundation gave an additional gift supporting its expansion.
“The Primary Care Scholars are a group of outstanding students who are dedicated to caring for rural patients across Alabama,” Baucom said. “This program is providing students with additional training and resources to help them not only be successful providers, but also be advocates for rural communities.”
Baucom earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the School.
“The support and guidance that I have received from the School during my academic career has been invaluable to me,” Baucom said. “I am grateful that I am now able to be a part of this group of individuals who work so tirelessly to improve lives through research, programs, and initiatives. The School is always looking to the future, working toward their next goal, and it is inspiring to be a part of.
