Bradley Firchow, a fourth-year student in the UK College of Medicine's Rural Physician Leadership Program, recently received the 2025 Quinn Student Award, which is the highest honor given by the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) to a medical student.
Firchow’s professional journey is rooted in a deep connection to place. “Growing up in Kentucky and West Virginia, I saw how geography shapes health,” he shared. “That contrast, between the gaps in care back home and the resources I encountered in college, stayed with me. It’s what led me to want to bring the same quality of care to rural communities that is often taken for granted in our cities.”
In Morehead, Ky., Firchow helped found the new Caring for Appalachians Through Service (CATS) Clinic. The student-run clinic works in partnership with the Gateway Homeless Coalition to offer care to patients who might otherwise be overlooked. “It’s a space where trust is built, where students learn what it means to show up with purpose,” said Firchow.
His leadership also extends beyond clinical service. As chair of the NRHA Student Constituency Group, he helped amplify student voices in national policy, ultimately contributing to efforts like the creation of the CDC’s Office of Rural Health. He’s also led UK’s chapter of the American Medical Association, authored national policy resolutions, and contributed to publications such as The Lancet and Salvation South.
“Receiving the Quinn Award is an incredible honor and a powerful reminder that rural health work is national work,” he said. “This award affirms not just the work I’ve done, but the people and places that have shaped me — from patients and peers to mentors and teachers in the Appalachian communities I’m proud to serve.”
Looking ahead, Firchow remains committed to serving rural communities. “I believe that rural medicine is where innovation and empathy coalesce — and I’m excited for the road ahead.”
