Rural Medicine Program expands through partnership with Peterson Health

The Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine today announced the signing of an affiliation agreement with Peterson Health in Kerrville to expand opportunities for Aggie medical students to complete rural rotations in Kerr County as part of the college’s Rural Medicine Program. This collaboration supports the program’s vision of a future where every rural community has access to quality health care.

“Joining forces with Peterson Health strengthens our program, giving students critical exposure to what it’s like to live and work in Kerr County,” said Curtis Donaldson, executive director of the Rural Medicine Program. “We are especially excited about the opportunity for our students to rotate in multiple specialties with Peterson Health, helping them see that they can pursue their passions in medicine while still serving rural patient populations.”

Beginning in March 2026, current medical students in the Vashisht College of Medicine can complete two- to four-week rotations at Peterson Regional Medical Center and its affiliated clinics under the supervision of Peterson Health physicians who will become affiliate clinical assistant professors with the college.

“We are very excited about this partnership with Texas A&M,” said John McDonald, president and CEO of Peterson Health. “Peterson is uniquely qualified to give these students a taste of what practice is like in rural Texas in a setting that offers them exposure to cutting edge technology, great physician mentors, and allows us to showcase all that Kerrville has to offer. It’s a win-win for both these students and our community.”

Peterson Health will welcome its first Aggie preceptee next month when Bethany Bayer, a fourth-year medical student, arrives in Kerrville to participate in clinical rotations under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Brown, general surgeon with Peterson Medical Associates. In addition to the clinical experience, a community stakeholder team will design an agenda for each rotating medical student to help them learn about life in Kerr County and envision what it would be like to practice there after residency.

The college’s collaboration with Peterson Health reflects a shared vision of building a stronger health care system that serves all Texans. Strengthening the pipeline of future rural physicians can help pave the way for a new era of medicine in rural Texas.

Learn more at medicine.tamu.edu/rural-medicine.