Jeff Hartz Named President of National AHEC Organization Board of Directors

October 1, 2025

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National AHEC Organization (NAO) has elected Jeff Hartz, center director of the East

Indiana Area Health Education Center (AHEC) in Batesville, Indiana, as president of its board of

directors for the 2025–2026 term. Hartz will officially assume leadership of the board on October

1, 2025.

Hartz has led East Indiana AHEC since 2015, bringing over a decade of experience in

advancing innovative health career pipeline programming, expanding student service-learning

opportunities, and convening interprofessional education initiatives across 14 rural counties.

Under his leadership, East Indiana AHEC has created impactful programs that engage students

in healthcare careers and address pressing community health needs.

In addition to his leadership at the local level, Hartz has played a significant role within NAO,

serving on the conference planning committee, mentoring new center directors, and co-chairing

the Center Director Constituency Group (CDCG). As CDCG co-chair, he has represented the

interests of AHEC center directors nationwide on the NAO Board.

“As NAO president, I look forward to working with the board and staff to ensure that

opportunities to learn, connect, and collaborate continue to thrive,” Hartz said. “We grow

stronger as a network when we share best practices, learn from one another, and build

professional camaraderie. My focus will be on ensuring NAO remains a powerful vehicle for

welcoming new AHEC leaders, fostering professional growth, and advancing the values that

drive our mission.”

Outside of his work with AHEC, Hartz is deeply engaged in his community, volunteering with

nonprofit organizations and coaching youth sports. He holds a master’s degree in education

from Wake Forest University and bachelor’s degrees from Guilford College and Indiana

Wesleyan University.

“Jeff’s steady leadership as a center director and at the national level has been a tremendous

asset to the AHEC network, and I’m thrilled that he is serving as president of the board,” said

Dwain Harris, NAO chief executive officer. “The success of NAO depends on proactive,

informed leaders like Jeff who are passionate about the AHEC mission.”

The National AHEC Organization represents a network of more than 300 AHEC program offices

and centers serving over 85% of U.S. counties. The AHEC mission is to enhance access to

quality healthcare—particularly primary and preventive care—by improving the supply and

distribution of healthcare professionals through strategic partnerships with academic programs,

communities, and professional organizations.

Learn more at www.nationalahec.org.