First year medical students from the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine recently completed two weeks of clinical education under the supervision of Dr. Thomas Sparkman in Cape Girardeau.

"As one of the 97 Missouri physicians who volunteered their time and expertise as preceptors, Dr. Sparkman is making a significant contribution to the education of future osteopathic physicians," said Mike French, co-director of the Missouri Rural Area Health Education Centers System. The program is coordinated by the Missouri Rural Area Health Education Centers System Office in Kirksville, the Northeast Missouri AHEC in Macon, and the Southeastern Missouri AHEC in Poplar Bluff.

This education program is designed to provide first-year medical students with firsthand experience in the provision of primary health care with an experienced physician serving as a role model.