Finding her future close to home: Riley Latham’s journey to rural medicine
Participation in Rural Medicine Program has offered full-circle moments and reinforced future plans
By NARESH K. VASHISHT COLLEGE of MEDICINE MARKETING and COMMUNICATIONS for VITAL RECORD
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, Texas—For Riley Latham ’27, becoming a physician has never been a question of if—only how. Now a fourth-year medical student in the Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine at Texas A&M Health, Latham is preparing for a career that combines her passion for medicine with her love for close-knit communities she has always called home.
Originally from Lufkin, Texas, Latham earned her bachelor’s degree from Stephen F. Austin State University in 2022 before beginning medical school. While she knew as early as high school that she wanted to become a physician, one experience during her first year of medical school confirmed she was exactly where she was meant to be.
“I was at a pediatric clinic in my hometown listening to the heart sounds of a three-week-old baby with Tetralogy of Fallot,” Latham said. “He was holding tightly onto my pinky with his tiny fist and locking eyes with me. His heart sounds were a jumble of whooshes and thuds that I couldn’t identify. It was all I could do not to get emotional in front of his parents. Driving home that day, I knew I was on the right path.”
That sense of purpose naturally aligned with rural medicine, a field that appealed to both her professional interests and personal values.
“I’m drawn to the slower pace of life and the richer patient relationships that rural medicine offers,” Latham said. “I knew when I started medical school that I didn’t want to live or raise a family in a metropolitan area. I’ve also never wanted to subspecialize, so practicing in a rural community would allow me to care for a wider range of patients and conditions.”
Through the Vashisht College of Medicine’s Rural Medicine Program, Latham has completed rural rotations in Beeville and Kerrville, with additional rotations planned in Jacksonville and Brownwood. Her experiences have reinforced the importance of teamwork and adaptability in rural healthcare.
“Working in a rural setting showed me how closely everyone works together,” Latham said. “The providers and staff know one another well and can anticipate each other’s needs to help patients receive the best care possible. I look forward to being part of that kind of team.”
Her rotations also deepened her understanding of the barriers many rural patients face when accessing healthcare.
“It really shows the reality of how far patients often have to travel for care,” Latham said. “Because of that, rural physicians practice a much broader scope of medicine. I don’t think many medical students realize how well rounded you become out of necessity when working in a rural community.”
One physician who left a lasting impression on Latham was Maria Palafox, MD, a general surgeon in Beeville.
“She took the time to talk with me about her career and how she’s been able to find fulfillment in both her work and family life,” Latham said. “She encouraged me to participate as much as possible in the operating room and helped me develop my surgical skills. Seeing someone build such a rewarding career in rural medicine was incredibly inspiring.”
Beyond clinical experiences, Latham has found community through the Rural Medicine Program’s annual Rural Practitioners of Texas Conference.
“I always have such a great time at the conference,” Latham said. “It’s an opportunity to reconnect with friends from other campuses, spend time with the rural medicine staff, and hear engaging speeches from physicians who are passionate about serving rural communities. I look forward to it every year.”
As she has spent more time learning from rural physicians, Latham has become increasingly confident in the path she wants to pursue.
“The more time I spend around rural physicians, listening to their stories and seeing how fulfilled they are, the more assured I am that this is the direction I want to take my career,” she said.
One of her proudest accomplishments has been contributing to rural medicine research alongside classmates. Together, they surveyed medical students about their perceptions of rural medicine and their experiences during rural rotations. Their work was accepted for a presentation at a statewide conference.
“Presenting the research was a proud moment because we got to see months of work come together,” Latham said. “It just started as an idea among friends, and it was exciting to share it with the others who care about rural healthcare.”
For Latham, one experience captures why rural medicine matters most. During her first rural rotation, she worked alongside the pediatrician who had cared for her throughout her own childhood.
“It was incredibly special to come full circle and learn from the physician who took care of me growing up,” she said. “Watching his dedication to the community and seeing the sacrifices he had made over the decades showed me what it truly means to practice rural medicine. He has always put his patients first and remained committed to providing evidence-based care, even when it wasn’t the easiest path.”
As she prepares to begin the next chapter of her medical career, Latham hopes to follow that same example, building lasting relationships with patients, serving communities where physicians are needed most, and providing comprehensive, compassionate care close to home. Through the Rural Medicine Program, she has found more than clinical experience; she has found the future she has always envisioned.
ABOUT THE COLLEGE OF MEDICINE
The Texas A&M University Naresh K. Vashisht College of Medicine was founded in 1977 to serve military, veteran, rural and underserved populations of Texas with the core values of Texas A&M University. We continue that tradition of developing medical leaders to impact health in all communities. We empower discovery in research, education and community-based patient care. Learn more at medicine.tamu.edu or follow @tamumedicine on social media.