UNCW RIPLS Program Welcomes New Cohort
In May 2025, UNCW’s College of Health and Human Services (CHHS) celebrated the culmination of its second Rural Interprofessional Longitudinal Scholars (RIPLS) cohort. This milestone marks the continued success of a partnership between UNCW’s CHHS and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, bringing together 15 students—seven from UNCW and eight from UNC Chapel Hill—for a transformative interprofessional experience. Established by UNC Chapel Hill in 2019, the RIPLS program aims to prepare the next generation of health and human service professionals to serve North Carolina’s rural communities. The three-semester long, cohort style program emphasizes interprofessional collaboration and experiential learning to equip students with the skills needed to improve healthcare delivery and equity in underserved areas.
For many UNCW Scholars, the program was a deeply meaningful experience that brought classroom learning to life.
"The RIPLS program gave me the opportunity to put classroom learning into action and experience firsthand the realities of healthcare in rural North Carolina," said Janet Garcia-Hernandez, 2024-2025 RIPL Scholar and Public Health and Biology double major graduating in spring 2026. Following graduation, Garcia-Hernandez plans to take a gap year before applying to medical school.
Jessie Burrough, 2024-2025 RIPL Scholar and senior majoring in Public Health with a pre-clinical concentration and a minor in Biology, echoed similar reflections: "This opportunity opened my eyes to the realities of healthcare deserts and the importance of meeting people where they are—both physically and culturally," Burrough said. Looking ahead to a career in clinical research or physician assistant (PA) school, Burrough highlighted how RIPLS benefits extend beyond the classroom: "It’s a great opportunity for networking, professional development, and setting yourself apart for graduate or professional school applications.”
In May 2025, the third cohort of UNCW RIPLS Scholars was selected and welcomed into the program, joining eight students from UNC Chapel Hill and eight from UNC Pembroke to form an interprofessional cohort of 24 students. The newly selected UNCW scholars shared what they are most excited about as they begin their journey with the 2025-2026 RIPLS program:
Leslie Sanchez-Rodriguez: Public Health, Pre-Clinical Concentration, B.S.
“I’m most excited about the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of passionate, driven individuals who are equally committed to making a positive impact in their communities. I look forward to expanding my leadership skills and learning from mentors who can help guide my journey in public service and health equity. Being part of this cohort not only means growing personally and professionally but also contributing to something larger.”
Salma Haija: Major: Respiratory Therapy, B.S., Neuroscience and Psychology Minors
“I am looking forward to connecting with other individuals from different backgrounds to learn from them and gain hands-on experience that will allow me to step outside of my comfort zone and broaden my perspective. I am excited to work alongside individuals who are passionate about leadership, helping rural communities, and personal growth. Overall, I am thrilled to be part of this cohort and can't wait to learn and grow in knowledge.”
Keeyln Oakes: Nursing, BSN
“I am most looking forward to meeting, collaborating, and learning more from the other future healthcare professionals. I hope to apply what I learn to my future career to positively participate in interprofessional care. I am also interested in going deeper into the needs of rural healthcare and what I can do as a nurse to ameliorate these needs.”
Keri-Ann McGonigle: Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
“As a 2025–2026 RIPL Scholar, I am most excited about the opportunity to engage in meaningful, interdisciplinary collaboration that supports rural and underserved communities. I look forward to gaining deeper insight into the unique challenges these communities face and contributing to innovative, patient-centered solutions.”
Kayla Olson: Social Work, BSW
“I am most excited to meet my cohort and work with these other students from different Health and Human Services professions to broaden my knowledge and collaboration across disciplines, letting that inform my own learning as a social work student. I believe I will be able to use the skills I’m learning in social work more effectively through what they can teach me, and I'm thrilled to grow in this way!”
William Wylie: Applied Gerontology, M.S.
“I am super excited to be a RIPL Scholar and am particularly looking forward to learning how to better serve rural communities and help create measures that ensure they have adequate and equitable access to healthcare, comparable to their urban counterparts. I’m thrilled to learn about the unique challenges these areas face while also working with professionals from different fields. What most excites me about the program is its intersectional nature. With this program, I will be better able to serve geriatric populations—especially those in more rural environments—with this knowledge.”
Catie VanWoert: Athletic Training, M.S.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with other healthcare fields to gain insight into their scope of practice and improve my own quality of care!”
Leah Gilikin: Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
“I’m excited about collaborating with fellow graduate students across Southeastern North Carolina in a multidisciplinary effort to investigate, identify, and address rural health disparities. I look forward to learning more about community resources and partners that can assist in eliminating these disparities. My special areas of interest include geriatrics and the pediatric hospice population.”
For many UNCW Scholars, the program was a deeply meaningful experience that brought classroom learning to life.
"The RIPLS program gave me the opportunity to put classroom learning into action and experience firsthand the realities of healthcare in rural North Carolina," said Janet Garcia-Hernandez, 2024-2025 RIPL Scholar and Public Health and Biology double major graduating in spring 2026. Following graduation, Garcia-Hernandez plans to take a gap year before applying to medical school.
Jessie Burrough, 2024-2025 RIPL Scholar and senior majoring in Public Health with a pre-clinical concentration and a minor in Biology, echoed similar reflections: "This opportunity opened my eyes to the realities of healthcare deserts and the importance of meeting people where they are—both physically and culturally," Burrough said. Looking ahead to a career in clinical research or physician assistant (PA) school, Burrough highlighted how RIPLS benefits extend beyond the classroom: "It’s a great opportunity for networking, professional development, and setting yourself apart for graduate or professional school applications.”
In May 2025, the third cohort of UNCW RIPLS Scholars was selected and welcomed into the program, joining eight students from UNC Chapel Hill and eight from UNC Pembroke to form an interprofessional cohort of 24 students. The newly selected UNCW scholars shared what they are most excited about as they begin their journey with the 2025-2026 RIPLS program:
Leslie Sanchez-Rodriguez: Public Health, Pre-Clinical Concentration, B.S.
“I’m most excited about the opportunity to collaborate with a diverse group of passionate, driven individuals who are equally committed to making a positive impact in their communities. I look forward to expanding my leadership skills and learning from mentors who can help guide my journey in public service and health equity. Being part of this cohort not only means growing personally and professionally but also contributing to something larger.”
Salma Haija: Major: Respiratory Therapy, B.S., Neuroscience and Psychology Minors
“I am looking forward to connecting with other individuals from different backgrounds to learn from them and gain hands-on experience that will allow me to step outside of my comfort zone and broaden my perspective. I am excited to work alongside individuals who are passionate about leadership, helping rural communities, and personal growth. Overall, I am thrilled to be part of this cohort and can't wait to learn and grow in knowledge.”
Keeyln Oakes: Nursing, BSN
“I am most looking forward to meeting, collaborating, and learning more from the other future healthcare professionals. I hope to apply what I learn to my future career to positively participate in interprofessional care. I am also interested in going deeper into the needs of rural healthcare and what I can do as a nurse to ameliorate these needs.”
Keri-Ann McGonigle: Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
“As a 2025–2026 RIPL Scholar, I am most excited about the opportunity to engage in meaningful, interdisciplinary collaboration that supports rural and underserved communities. I look forward to gaining deeper insight into the unique challenges these communities face and contributing to innovative, patient-centered solutions.”
Kayla Olson: Social Work, BSW
“I am most excited to meet my cohort and work with these other students from different Health and Human Services professions to broaden my knowledge and collaboration across disciplines, letting that inform my own learning as a social work student. I believe I will be able to use the skills I’m learning in social work more effectively through what they can teach me, and I'm thrilled to grow in this way!”
William Wylie: Applied Gerontology, M.S.
“I am super excited to be a RIPL Scholar and am particularly looking forward to learning how to better serve rural communities and help create measures that ensure they have adequate and equitable access to healthcare, comparable to their urban counterparts. I’m thrilled to learn about the unique challenges these areas face while also working with professionals from different fields. What most excites me about the program is its intersectional nature. With this program, I will be better able to serve geriatric populations—especially those in more rural environments—with this knowledge.”
Catie VanWoert: Athletic Training, M.S.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with other healthcare fields to gain insight into their scope of practice and improve my own quality of care!”
Leah Gilikin: Doctor of Nursing Practice, DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner Concentration
“I’m excited about collaborating with fellow graduate students across Southeastern North Carolina in a multidisciplinary effort to investigate, identify, and address rural health disparities. I look forward to learning more about community resources and partners that can assist in eliminating these disparities. My special areas of interest include geriatrics and the pediatric hospice population.”
This article has the following tags: College of Health & Human Services Academics Students & Alumni