TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Nominations of high school students are being sought for the first Rural Healthcare Minority Summit on Friday, Jan. 21, and Saturday, Jan. 22, on The University of Alabama campus.

The UA School of Medicine, Tuscaloosa Campus, in conjunction with the Student National Medical Association, is organizing the summit, titled “The Pact: Making a Promise, Fulfilling a Dream.” High school teachers are asked to identify and nominate students who may benefit from attending the summit.

The goal of the summit is to increase student awareness of the need for minority physicians who practice in rural Alabama.The summit will provide education and networking opportunities for students through a broad spectrum of leaders in rural health, including health care professionals, researchers and community leaders.It is open to both high school and college students. Most programs will be Saturday, Jan. 22.

The keynote speaker on Jan. 22 will be family physician and author Dr. Rani G. Whitfield of television’s “Hip Hop Doc.” Whitfield is known for his appearances on CNN, BET’s “106th and Park,” iVillage and other national talk and news shows. His home and his practice are in his native Baton Rouge, La.

Registration is $10.To nominate students, or for more information, e-mail or phone Cynthia Moore, director of the Rural Minority Health Scholars Program at UA’s College of Community Health Sciences:  cmoore@cchs.ua.edu or 205/348-3116. Be sure to provide contact information for student and nominator.