December 23, 2024

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National AHEC Organization (NAO) is proud to announce Sarah McKendry and Natasha Salmen as the recipients of the 2024 Alumni/Advocate of the Year Award. Both women have shown exceptional leadership and advocacy for the underserved, contributing significantly to health and well-being in their respective communities.

Sarah McKendry, a graduate of the Southwest Pennsylvania AHEC (SW PA AHEC) Scholars program, is recognized for her work in occupational therapy and addressing healthcare disparities. Nominated by Dr. Lynne Williams, Director of SW PA AHEC, McKendry's career exemplifies the AHEC mission of community-based healthcare innovation.

As a doctoral student, McKendry helped establish the Interprofessional Student Board and organized biannual learning sessions for AHEC Scholars. She also attended the Association for Clinicians of the Underserved Conference in 2023, where she facilitated a pathway for Scholars to present their work in 2024. After graduation, McKendry founded Empowered Self Occupational Therapy, a private practice focused on chronic pain. She works part-time as a manager for the SW PA AHEC Scholars program, mentoring students and creating learning opportunities. She also volunteers at the Birmingham Free Clinic 2-3 times a week.

McKendry said that becoming an AHEC Scholar transformed her journey as a healthcare provider. “This award is an incredible honor. I'm eager to continue contributing to current Scholars' experience in the program and increasing awareness of all that AHECs have to offer,” she said.

Dr. Williams described McKendry as someone who is “constantly looking out for people who are burdened or oppressed, who are struggling with chronic health conditions, who can’t access care, who have lost their hope.”

Natasha Salmen, a graduate of the Eastern Ohio/Northeast Ohio AHEC Scholars program, is honored for her efforts to strengthen the healthcare workforce pipeline. Nominated by Maureen Drummond, center director of Eastern Ohio AHEC, Salmen's leadership has greatly enhanced Ohio's healthcare professional pipeline. After completing the AHEC Scholars program in 2021, Salmen proposed two new initiatives to better prepare students for medical careers.

Salmen created AHEC Scholars: A Day in the Life of a Healthcare Provider, an interdisciplinary training program for AHEC Scholars and undergraduate students that allows participants to engage in patient-centered topics and activities with teachers and medical professionals. She also developed programming to introduce rural high school students to healthcare careers, providing hands-on experience in medical school labs and case studies.

Salmen described being in AHEC as an incredible journey that has allowed her to engage with underserved communities and gain valuable insights into healthcare topics often overlooked in

traditional medical education. “Receiving this award is both humbling and inspiring, made possible through the unwavering support and guidance of Maureen Drummond,” she said.

The Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program is a national initiative aimed at improving healthcare access in underserved areas through training, mentorship, and career pathways for students pursuing healthcare professions. AHEC programs build a diverse, well-trained workforce through community-based education and interprofessional collaboration.