Nineteen future healthcare students from Missouri universities participated in the 2026 Rural Immersion Program, spending five days in Maryville as part of a tour of five northwest Missouri counties. The program, held in June, is a partnership between the University of Missouri School of Medicine’s Rural Scholars Program and University of Missouri Extension. Students learned about various factors influencing rural health in the region, including connections between healthcare, agriculture, economy, education, natural resources, behavioral health, and culture. The program aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of rural healthcare beyond clinical care.