March 23, 2026

Feb. 11, 2026

Congress approves $47 million for AHEC program in FY26 funding package

Congress approved $47 million for the Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) program in fiscal year 2026, ensuring continued support for the national network that strengthens the healthcare workforce amid significant need.

The renewed federal investment comes at a critical time. 

Across the United States, communities continue to face persistent healthcare workforce shortages, particularly in primary care and in rural areas. The Association of American Medical Colleges projects a shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036, including tens of thousands of primary care physicians. Rural communities are disproportionately affected, with fewer providers per capita, higher rates of chronic disease, and increased reliance on emergency departments for routine care. According to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), 92 million Americans live in federally designated primary care Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs).

AHECs address these shortages by expanding pathways into health professions careers, facilitating clinical training experiences most often in primary care settings, and supporting practicing professionals through continuing education.

The impact is significant. In 2024–2025, AHECs reached 621,290 participants nationwide, including 272,082 students in health career pathway programs designed to spark interest in primary care professions. AHECs also facilitated 29,604 clinical training rotations, many in rural areas, primary care settings, and medically underserved communities, helping prepare trainees for practice in HPSAs.

AHEC Scholars, a two-year interprofessional training experience focused on primary care and community-based practice, delivers measurable workforce outcomes. Since 2019, 6,673 Scholars have completed the program, representing disciplines ranging from medicine and nursing to pharmacy and public health. Of those for whom practice location is known, 48% are working or training in a medically underserved community one year after graduation, and 85% are confident in their ability to apply the skills gained through the program to serve these communities.

Alicia Crane, DNP, APRN, FNP-C; and Mike Muscarella, PT as the 2025 Alumni/Advocate of the

Year Award recipients. Selected from across the national network, these individuals exemplify

sustained leadership and service, advancing education, mentorship, and community

partnerships that strengthen healthcare in the communities they serve.

Walter Arrington, MSW

Walter Arrington, MSW, nominated by West Florida AHEC in Glenview, Florida, is recognized

for his leadership in community healthcare innovation and program development across

Northwest Florida. A former AHEC Scholar, Arrington currently leads Advocacy and Special

Projects at Community Health Northwest Florida, where he spearheaded Florida’s first school-

based Mobile Optometry Clinic. The initiative provides free vision screenings and prescriptions

for children, while removing barriers to care and improving educational outcomes. His work

extends statewide and nationally through conference presentations, grant review service, and

board leadership at both the state and national levels.

“When I applied to be an AHEC Scholar, I was a student driven by a strong desire to support

people without stable access to care,” Arrington said. “AHEC showed me how to use my lived

experiences to inform my work in advocacy and healthcare, and how collaboration and

teamwork can turn personal stories into meaningful, positive change.”

Dr. Alicia Crane, DNP, APRN, FNP-C

Dr. Alicia Crane, DNP, APRN, FNP-C, is honored for her leadership in rural healthcare and her

commitment to mentoring future providers. Nominated by Montana AHEC in Bozeman,

Montana, Dr. Crane currently serves as the primary provider at the Northern Cheyenne Indian

Reservation School-Based Health Clinic, delivering essential primary care and health education

in her own community. An alumna of the Montana AHEC Scholars program, she now mentors

students in Montana State University’s Rural Ready Nurse Practitioner Program, helping

prepare the next generation of clinicians for practice in rural settings.

“Being part of AHEC shaped my passion for rural practice and reinforced the importance of

training close to the community,” Dr. Crane said. “This recognition affirms the value of investing

in people who are committed to serving where they are most needed.”

Mike Muscarella, PT

Mike Muscarella, PT, is honored for over two decades of dedication to student mentorship and

community partnership in western Kentucky. A physical therapist by training, Muscarella has

guided countless students through career exploration, résumé development, and early

professional decision-making. His hands-on approach and longstanding support for health

professions programs have strengthened local workforce pathways and inspired students to

pursue and sustain careers close to home.

Anne Hess, health career coordinator at Purchase AHEC in Murray, Kentucky, nominated

Muscarella and describes him as a champion of health advocacy, saying “Mike has played a

key role in the success of health professions programs at our local institutions and serves as ambassador for our community, consistently seeking opportunities to inspire the next

generation.”

Dwain Harris, NAO CEO, emphasized the importance of the Alumni/Advocate of the Year

Award and highlighted the shared contributions of this year’s recipients. "Our Alumni/Advocates

of the Year embody the true spirit of the AHEC mission. We are grateful for them and are

honored to share their commitment to improving healthcare by cultivating the next generation of

health professionals," he said.

The Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Program is a national initiative created by Congress

in 1971 to recruit, train, and retain a health professions workforce committed to improving

healthcare access in underserved areas. Through education, training, and mentorship grounded

in community-based learning and collaborative partnerships, AHECs help prepare a skilled

workforce to meet local and regional healthcare needs.

Today, nearly 300 AHECs serve communities across 44 states and six U.S. territories,

strengthening pathways into health careers and supporting care delivery nationwide.

Visit nationalahec.org or email info@nationalahec.org to learn more.

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.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The National AHEC Organization’s Pathways by AHECs using Virtual Reality Education (PAVE) project is encouraging rural and marginalized youth to explore and prepare for healthcare careers through immersive, hands-on learning. Funded by the U.S. Department of Labor’s Workforce Pathways for Youth (WPY) program, the three-year initiative runs through September 2026 and is already helping thousands of young people take meaningful steps towards careers in medicine, nursing, emergency response, and other healthcare fields.

Implemented by Area Health Education Centers (AHECs) in Nevada, North Carolina, Kentucky,

Wisconsin, Vermont, Montana, and the Hawaii/Pacific islands region, PAVE has engaged more than 4,360 youth ages 14–21 through out-of-school programming, including career fairs, summer camps, afterschool clubs, and internships. 

A signature element of PAVE is its use of virtual reality (VR) simulations, which bring healthcare careers to life through realistic, interactive experiences—allowing students to practice everything from taking vital signs and following safety procedures to performing advanced tasks related to specific careers.

Jennifer Cruz, center director of Guam AHEC, believes that the VR headsets have enhanced their ability to deliver immersive and effective training for students. “The headsets have empowered our program to better simulate real-world scenarios, helping students build confidence and develop critical skills in a safe, controlled environment,” she said.

To date, 470 students have engaged in job shadowing and internships in settings ranging from community clinics to hospital operating rooms, gaining real-world insight into the skills and responsibilities of healthcare professionals.

Beyond technology, PAVE pairs students with healthcare professionals in clinics, hospitals, and

community health settings. These real-world encounters have enabled students to observe surgeries, support patient care, and witness firsthand the diverse paths available in healthcare.

“PAVE gave me hands-on skills like maintaining sterile environments, using PPE, and interacting with patients professionally,” said Landon Thompson, a Northeast Kentucky AHEC PAVE participant. “Shadowing exceptional surgeons and completing online lessons helped me figure out the path that’s right for me. I’m deeply grateful to PAVE and AHEC for these extraordinary opportunities.”

The initiative is also building stronger local networks, forming 234 new partnerships with schools, healthcare providers, colleges, and community organizations to create sustainable, community-based pathways into the health professions.

The National AHEC Organization continues to support PAVE and other initiatives that build a stronger, more representative healthcare workforce and expand access to career exploration opportunities for all students. To learn more about the PAVE project or the work of AHECs nationwide, visit www.nationalahec.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

National AHEC Week March 24-28, 2025: Celebrating the Impact of the AHEC Program

Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) will celebrate National AHEC Week March 24-28, 2025, highlighting the AHEC mission and rallying supporters to advocate for legislative action on behalf of the program.

AHECs strengthen the nation’s healthcare workforce and improve access to primary and preventative care, especially in rural and underserved communities. Through partnerships between academic and community organizations, AHECs recruit, train, and retain a diverse healthcare workforce ready to address national shortages and meet the needs of underserved populations.

“When communities’ healthcare needs are met, our society is stronger and more resilient,” said Wanda Thomas, M.D., National AHEC Organization President and LSU Health Shreveport ACEC program director. “AHEC training, recruitment, and retention of a culturally competent healthcare workforce make us an impactful organization throughout the country.”

In 2024, 685,000 individuals participated in AHEC programs, with more than 270,000 students engaging in health career pathways programming. In addition, AHECs facilitated over 30,000 clinical rotations, with 44% of those rotations occurring in rural areas.

“AHECs connect students to opportunities, communities to providers, and educators to industry needs,” said Gloria Burnett, Director of the Alaska AHEC program. “Our success in not only recruiting but retaining healthcare professionals in Alaska is changing the trajectory of healthcare access in our state.”

One of AHECs key programs, AHEC Scholars, allows health professions students to gain additional knowledge and experience in key areas through both didactic and hands-on education to better help underserved communities.

In 2024, 7,738 students from fields such as medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and public health participated in the AHEC Scholars program.

Duke Escobar, M.D. candidate and AHEC Scholar said, “Growing up in a rural community, finding career exploration experiences was difficult. The AHEC Scholars program exposed me to volunteer and shadowing opportunities, teaching me the importance of empathy and understanding a patient’s struggles.”

The AHEC program, legislated by Congress in 1971 and administered by the Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), includes 300 AHECs across nearly every state and multiple U.S. territories.

To learn more about the AHEC program impact, visit www.nationalahec.org or email info@nationalahec.org.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Dedicated to ‘improving healthcare access and outcomes for all,” Palmer and Anderson Chosen for Washington, D.C. Advocacy Fly-In

This July 22-24, the National AHEC Organization (NAO) will send Chelsey Palmer and Mike Anderson to Washington, D.C. for advocacy training and Capitol Hill visits to promote the AHEC mission.

Palmer and Anderson were chosen because of their experiences supporting Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) as well as their interest in public policy and advocacy at a national level.

Chelsey Palmer, RN, BSN, LSN started her AHEC journey with the AHEC Scholars program at Kent State University-Trumbull and was named Eastern Ohio AHEC Scholar of the Year in 2021. After completing the Scholars program, she returned to Eastern Ohio AHEC as a Scholar mentor and joined the Board of Directors as Vice President.

Chelsey currently works as a registered nurse employed with the McDonald local school district in McDonald, OH. In this role, she has worked to increase health literacy within her school community though education and the provision of resources.

For example, she coordinated the first health and wellness fair in the community. She also partnered with Vision to Learn to supply free eye exams and prescription eyeglasses to her students and worked with ONE Health Ohio’s mobile clinic to provide dental care for students within the school setting.

With advocacy training, she hopes “to continue to educate those around her on healthcare disparities and inequities and work towards finding long-term solutions” for systemic problems.

“I will use this opportunity to better serve my community as I continue to fight alongside my colleagues and NAO for lasting resolutions to healthcare inequities and disparities, particularly those that exist in rural and underserved populations,” Palmer said.

Joining Palmer on the D.C. Fly-In is AHEC Scholar Mike Anderson. Mike is a medical student at University of Alabama-Birmingham Heersink School of Medicine.

As an AHEC Scholar, Anderson has demonstrated a passion for medical leadership and a dedication to dismantling health inequalities through grassroots initiatives.

For example, he played a crucial role in partnering with Alabama state AHEC o_ices to organize COVID-19 vaccinations to underserved remote areas of Alabama, showcasing his dedication to improving public health in vulnerable communities. In addition, he co-founded Equal Access Alabama, an organization that strives to increase medical access in the Black Belt of Alabama.

“The work AHEC does is indispensable in bridging the gaps in our state and national healthcare programs and addresses the unique needs of underserved communities. By elevating the importance of AHECs at higher levels of government, I believe we can make significant strides in improving healthcare access and outcomes for all,” Anderson said.

Palmer and Anderson were selected for this advocacy trip from a pool of AHEC Alumni/Advocate member candidates. The Alumni/Advocate membership community is for individuals who have been served by an AHEC in the past and wish to continue to serve and strengthen the AHEC mission through advocacy and continued outreach.

“Chelsey and Mike personify a dedication to the AHEC mission that exists in so many who have taken part in AHEC programming,” said Dwain Harris, NAO CEO. “Many highly qualified and passionate advocates were nominated for the Fly-In, and they stood apart from the rest.”

Congress established the AHEC program in 1971 to strengthen and diversify the healthcare workforce in rural and medically underserved communities. Today, the 300 AHECs in the United States serve 44 states and six U.S. territories.

Visit nationalahec.org or email info@nationalahec.org to learn more about AHEC

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AHECs to receive $47 million in federal funding for FY24

Congress recently appropriated $47 million to the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) program for the current fiscal year, the same level as last year.

“We are pleased that the AHEC program has been funded at $47 million and are grateful for Congress’s ongoing bipartisan support,” said Dwain Harris, chief executive officer of the National AHEC Organization.

AHEC federal funding has risen 17 percent since 2019, when the appropriation was $39.25 million.

Through academic and community partnerships, AHECs develop and train a diverse healthcare workforce prepared to deliver culturally appropriate, high-quality, team-based care, with an emphasis on primary care for rural and underserved populations.

Last academic year, AHECs across the nation and U.S. territories reached more than 718,000 students and health professionals with programming such as health career education, clinical rotation support, and continuing education for healthcare professionals.

The need to strengthen the healthcare workforce, particularly for the underserved, continues.

According to new projections published today by the AAMC (Association of American Medical Colleges,) the U.S. will face a physician shortage of up to 86,000 physicians by 2036. Additionally, the American Hospital Association reported earlier this year that the U.S. could need over 190,000 registered nurses each year over the next decade.

Leaders of the National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Organization shared the AHEC message on a recent visit to Capitol Hill and recommended funding at $67 million in FY 25 and beyond.

Congress established the AHEC program in 1971 to strengthen and diversify the healthcare workforce in rural and medically underserved communities.

Today, the 300 AHECs in the United States serve 44 states and six U.S. territories.

Visit nationalahec.org or email info@nationalahec.org to learn more about AHEC.

Sept. 22, 2023

CONTACT: Dwain Harris dwharris@nationalahec.org

National AHEC Organization receives grant to expand health career training

The U.S. Dept. of Labor has awarded the National AHEC Organization a $2 million grant to expand health career exploration programs, postsecondary education/training, and workforce development for youth from rural and underserved communities.

Over the next three years, the funding will allow Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) across seven regions to provide hands-on and experiential learning by integrating virtual reality (VR) simulations into their out-of-school-time pathway programs.

“AHECs are doing critical work to support the next generation of health care workers through their pathway programs,” said Katie Haas, NAO’s director of grants and strategic partnerships. “NAO is proud to have secured this funding which will significantly increase the capacity of AHECs to inspire rural and underserved youth toward the health care careers.”

The project will also enable AHECs to advance partnerships to construct a more robust pathway that will support students toward unsubsidized employment opportunities. 

The work will take place in regions of the country served by the following AHECs:

• Hawaii/Pacific Basin AHEC
• High Sierra AHEC
• North Central Wisconsin AHEC in partnership with Northeastern Wisconsin AHEC
• Northeast Kentucky AHEC
• South Central Montana in partnership with North Central Montana AHEC
• Southern Vermont AHEC
• West Central Alabama AHEC

NAO was one of seven organizations nationwide to receive part of the $14 million in U.S. Department of Labor funding as part of the Workforce Pathways for Youth program. Read more HERE.

Three hundred AHECs in 44 states and six U.S. territories are engaged in strengthening the healthcare workforce, particularly in underserved areas. Visit nationalahec.org for more information AHECs and the National AHEC Organization.

Harvard dental student, mom credits AHEC village in helping create his healthcare pathway Cambridge, MA –

When Abdul-Rakeem Yakubu received his white coat at the Harvard School of Dentistry Medicine White Coat Ceremony in May, he likely remembered his time, years earlier, at the South Piedmont (N.C.) AHEC at the start of his healthcare journey.    

He may have remembered because of the profound impression it left on him, but his memory may also have been sparked because as he scanned the audience, he saw the familiar face of AHEC.

Michelle Boyd, the South Piedmont AHEC’s Director of Health Careers, Diversity and Workforce Development, was there, having travelled from her home in North Carolina to Cambridge to witness Rakeem’s moment.

“We at South Piedmont AHEC are so proud of Rakeem, and I am glad that I was able to witness this milestone alongside his family,” Boyd said. “We have kept in touch since he graduated from high school and when he shared his acceptance into dentistry school, I knew I had to be there. As I watched him take the stage and make his remarks in the presence of his classmates, faculty and a sea of hundreds of family and friends, I was moved to tears when he included me and NC AHEC in the list of people that he wanted to acknowledge. It reminded me of why we do this worthwhile work.”

Boyd remembers Rakeem’s first days with AHEC well. In the summer of 2014, as an eighth grader, he joined HEROES, a South Piedmont AHEC residential pipeline program hosted at UNC Charlotte.

“His mother and father were impressed with our program and the opportunities for exposure,” Boyd said. “With the unexpected passing of his father when he was in middle school, she knew it would take a village to raise this future healthcare professional, and AHEC would be part of that village.”

Rakeem continued to participate in South Piedmont AHEC programs, including the HEROES Health Careers Club, Future Leaders in Healthcare Conference, and health science college tours. It was during of those tours that Rakeem shared his interest in dentistry.

As an undergraduate at UPenn, he agreed to come back to Charlotte, NC, to be a keynote presenter at the closing ceremony of the Health Careers Club, the same club in which he was a participant just a few years earlier.

At Harvard, Rakeem has enrolled in the DMD-PhD Dual Degree program. The goal of the program is to train the next generation of academic leaders of dentists/scientists in a broad spectrum of oral and craniofacial biology and skeletogenesis from basic and translational sciences to bioengineering.

Rakeem has credited his experiences at AHEC as having prepared him to take this next step towards his future.

“AHEC helped show me that there are so many careers in health care in addition to the traditional family doctors or dentists,” he said. “Learning from the speakers and their experiences inspired me to chase my own path and bridge my passions together to eventually become a physician scientist.”

Rakeem's mother, Rachelle Yakubu,was an active member of the award-winning Parents of AHEC program, where she fostered connections among parents of aspiring healthcare professionals.

“In raising my children,” she said. ‘I try to follow two principals of ‘train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old, he shall not depart from it,’ and the proverb, ‘It takes a village to raise a child.’

“It took that village with the direction of Ms. Boyd and Sophia (Moore-Dennis, project coordinator) to take Rakeem under their wings and help him remain focused on the path of his dreams. We don’t succeed alone; the village is there to help you along, and for that I am grateful.”

“The future is bright for Rakeem,” Boyd said, “and we look forward to continuing to watch him grow!”

As we at Southwest Idaho AHEC reflect on the remarkable achievements of the past year, we are compelled to express our deepest gratitude to the individuals and partners who made our transformative Doctor for a Day program a resounding success. At Caldwell High School, a beacon of potential and ambition, students embarked on a journey that not only enriched their knowledge but also strengthened the fabric of healthcare access in our nation.

The genesis of this visionary initiative began a few years ago when Dr. Sarah Gerrish, a dedicated force in the field of medicine and a luminary at Full Circle Health, collaborated with SW ID AHEC Director, Katrina Hoff, to bring the Doctor for a Day program to fruition. Driven by her unwavering commitment to addressing health disparities and her pivotal role as the Chair of the Justice, Equity, and Inclusion (JEDI) Taskforce, Dr. Gerrish's aspiration to empower the next generation of healthcare professionals took root in the form of this program.

With meticulous planning, coordination, and determination, our planning team, including Southwest Idaho AHEC Program Coordinator, Jacelyn Lawson, orchestrated the integration of the program into Caldwell High School. Resident schedules were harmonized, residents were expertly trained, and an illuminating interprofessional panel was organized, providing students with an invaluable opportunity to connect with seasoned healthcare practitioners. Katrina and Jacelyn, recognizing the potential for transformative change, enthusiastically lent SW ID AHEC’s support, both in coordination and financial backing, and proudly became an integral part of this endeavor.

A heartfelt acknowledgment is also extended to Theresa Sigel, the linchpin at Caldwell High School, whose dedication was instrumental in bringing this vision to life. Ms. Sigel's unwavering commitment translated into countless hours spent engaging students, orchestrating schedules, ensuring classroom readiness, and ensuring the well-being of all involved. The orchestration of moving parts would not have been possible without the collective efforts of the Caldwell High School team, including Brian Sullivan, Rob King, and Anita Wilson.

The results of this collaboration have been nothing short of extraordinary. A total of 79 students were afforded the opportunity to engage with residents at Full Circle Health, delving into the intricacies of pulmonology, cardiology, diabetes, and orthopedics. The culminating session brought students face-to-face with a panel of esteemed Idaho healthcare professionals, hailing from diverse disciplines such as psychology and pharmacy. Following these dialogues, students participated in a group case and skill presentation focused on dentistry, solidifying their grasp on the multifaceted nature of healthcare.

Through program evaluation tools, we are thrilled to report that every survey respondent attested to the value of this program, and a remarkable 100% expressed an amplified interest in pursuing careers in the healthcare domain. Beyond the statistics, what resonated most profoundly was the declaration that they had not only learned but enjoyed the experience.

As we set our sights on the horizon, we eagerly anticipate the continuation of this transformative program. The Doctor for a Day program will persist in nurturing the aspirations of young minds in the 2023 - 2024 school year and beyond. Our enduring partnership with Full Circle Health and Caldwell High School exemplifies the synergy that arises when shared visions are brought to life. With gratitude and purpose in our stride, we press forward, emboldened by the belief that our collective efforts are paving the way toward a future where healthcare access is fortified, and opportunities are boundless.

If other AHECs have questions regarding early inception, funding, and coordination please contact Katrina Hoff, Director, khoff@jannus.org, or Jacelyn Lawson, Program Coordinator, jlawson@jannus.org. We would be happy to answer your questions.  

---PARTICIPANT QUOTES:

“My participation in Doctor for a Day gave me the opportunity to think more about the ways in which I would have to learn about a diverse number of things that are involved in the profession I am pursuing. Getting to interact with practicing doctors allowed me to ask questions I have never been able to ask. The hands-on activities we participated in helped me to better empathize with those who suffer from ailments. All these things gave me the motivation to pursue a career in rural medicine.”

“By participating in Doctor for a Day I learned that you should never feel like you’re behind because you start your path later.”

“I have been in every single Doctor for a Day session since I became a high school student. I enjoy it every single time and always look forward to the next one. I have made many friends, and decisions about my future healthcare career. I will be devastated if this event ever goes away! I love it, and the people who make it possible! You are doing great things!”

After a five-year hiatus, the 2023 National AHEC Association Biennial Conference was held

The conference connected peers from distant cities - many for the first time in person - for nearly a week of practical education, rewarding conversations, and enriching off-site entertainment, all surrounded by the picturesque mountains in beautiful Salt Lake City, UT. 

“The energy was incredible,” said Mindy Bateman, conference planning co-chair and director of the host organization, Crossroads AHEC. “We were thrilled that so many had such a positive, re-invigorating experience. Attendees took home new ideas, contacts, and energy that will help NAO continue to move forward.”

Guest speakers for the 2023 NAO Biennial Conference included:

Erika Sullivan, MD, MS, MS, is a board-certified family physician specializing in providing safe and reliable contraception to women, women’s health, LGBTQ patient care, preventive medicine, chronic disease management, and full-family care.

Dr. Dale Okorodudu, is the founder of Black Men in White Coats, an author, and a practicing pulmonary and critical care physician at the Dallas VA Medical Center.

Chelsea Guevara, is a poet and spoken word artist from West Jordan, Utah. Part Salvadoran, part American, her words focus heavily on the Latinx and immigrant struggles. 

Tim Cunningham, RN, DrPH, FAAN, is the Co-Chief Well-Being Officer for the Woodruff Health Sciences Center Office of Well-Being, adjunct associate professor at the Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing, and a Well-Being & Transformational Leadership Speaker.

According to the National AHEC Organization, the 2023 Biennial Conference welcomed 503 AHEC attendees, 125 AHEC 101 attendees, 55 AHEC Scholars, and 52 Sponsors.

Planners also announced that the 2025 NAO Biennial Conference will be held June 17-20, 2025 in Lexington, Kentucky. More details on the 2025 conference will be shared in the months ahead.

Montpelier, VT – The Southern Vermont AHEC wrapped up its MedQuest Program at Springfield Hospital with a student showcase in August, where students displayed posters which vividly portrayed their personal stories and ambitions in the health sector. Among the attendees were the students’ family and friends, as well as Springfield Hospital's CEO, Robert Adcock, and VP of Marketing & Development, Anna Smith. The event not only celebrated the students' achievements but also provided them with a valuable opportunity to discuss their journeys and aspirations, fostering a sense of motivation and pride among the young talents. 

The Vermont AHEC Network has engaged academic and community partners since 1999 to improve the distribution, diversity, supply, and quality of the health workforce in Vermont, especially in our rural and underserved communities. MedQuest Health Careers Exploration Program is a program for high school students to explore a variety of health careers in a rich learning environment with engaging content and group discussions, skill-building activities, job shadowing, mentoring, and dialogue with health professionals.

The Southern Utah AHEC recently shared their 2022-2023 digital Annual Report. This report includes the center’s full staff, a detailed budget review, and several program updates. View the Southern Utah AHEC annual report.

The report also showcases several individual success stories, resulting from Southern Utah AHEC's work within the community the center serves. One example is supporting a student who successfully gained admission to medical school, who then thrived after participating in Southern Utah AHEC's Pathway Programs, specifically the Utah Health Scholars and AHEC Scholars programs.

The 2022-2023 Annual Report also highlights Southern Utah AHEC's work in a number of other areas, including:

• Recruiting and retaining healthcare professionals in rural Utah: Southern Utah AHEC's Pathway Programs have helped over 1,000 students from Southern Utah University, Utah Tech University, Snow College, and Utah State University-Eastern prepare for careers in healthcare.
• Providing outreach and education to rural communities: Southern Utah AHEC has hosted a number of events and programs to raise awareness about the importance of rural healthcare and to provide resources to rural communities. 
• Advocating for rural healthcare policy: Southern Utah AHEC continually works with policymakers and legislators to ensure that rural healthcare continues to be a top priority.

The Southern Utah AHEC provides resources for students, parents, teachers and counselors to encourage more rural youth to pursue careers in health care and to assist them in achieving their training goals. 

Jan. 9, 2023

AHECs to receive increase in FY23 federal funding

Leaders of the National Area Health Education Center (AHEC) Organization announced last week that the federal government has appropriated $47 million for the AHEC program for FY ‘23, an increase of $2 million from FY ‘22.

“The increase offederal funding is a cleartestament to the impact AHECs have on improving workforce diversity, enhancing health care quality, and increasing access to care in underserved communities,” said Jennifer Taylor, DHEd, president of the National AHEC Organization.

Last academic year, AHECs across the nation and U.S. territories reached more than 659,000 students and health professionals with programming such as health career education, clinical rotation support, and continuing education for healthcare professionals.

AHEC, created by Congress more than 50 years ago to improve U.S. healthcare availability and delivery, is an important part of the nation’s health workforce development infrastructure.

The need to strengthen the healthcare workforce, particularly for the underserved, continues. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. could see a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, and the American Hospital Association says more than 200,000 new registered nurses are needed each year to meet increasing health care needs and to replace nurses entering retirement.

“Looking at our continued health workforce shortage, our work is far from complete,” Dr. Taylor said. “Now we are tasked to use the funds to engage and equip those we serve with the tools to advance access to quality health care in an everchanging society. “

AHEC federal funding has risen 17 percent since 2019, when the appropriation was $39.25 million.

Visit nationalahec.org or email info@nationalahec.org to learn more about AHEC.

END

Haas joins NAO team as director of grants, strategic partnerships

The National AHEC Organization welcomes its newest team member, Katie Haas, who is the NAO's first director of grants and strategic partnerships.

Haas brings more than a decade of experience in grant writing, program management, and partnership development. Her previous two roles were in local public health departments serving semi-rural and urban communities as a policy and partnerships supervisor and health planner. Prior to that, Haas worked in partnership with a healthcare system on community benefit programming.

"Katie is a natural collaborator and strategic thinker, and she has an impressive track record of innovation and accomplishment," said Dwain Harris, NAO CEO. "We are excited about what she brings to NAO in this critical new role."

Increasingly, national organizations are seeking to collaborate with NAO, often as a way to deliver educational content to the nation’s healthcare workforce, particularly those working with underserved populations.

“AHECs are imbedded within their communities and are natural collaborators,” Harris said.

“Events of the last two years have underscored the value of AHEC, whose mission aligns with the work of so many other organizations committed to improving health and healthcare,” he continued. “It’s critical that we have a point person on our team who understands how to make those partnerships work for our AHECs and their communities. Katie is that person.”

Haas has a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Affairs and a Master of Public Health, both from the University of Colorado. She lives in Avon, Colorado with her husband, six-year-old son and four-year-old daughter.

“I’m excited to join NAO at this pivotal time to bring additional capacity to the national network of AHEC organizations,” Haas said. “I am thrilled to be part of an organization that can address short-term needs while also optimizing strategies that will boost the healthcare workforce and support health in local communities for the next generation and beyond.”

PRESS RELEASE

March 20, 2022

March 28 – April 1 is National AHEC Week

Students, health professionals, and Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) across the nation will celebrate National AHEC Week March 28 – April 1, 2022.

The week has been set aside to celebrate the AHEC mission of strengthening the nation’s healthcare workforce. It is also a time for AHEC advocates to connect with their members of Congress in support of the program.

AHEC, created by Congress more than 50 years ago to improve U.S. healthcare availability and delivery, is an important part of the nation’s health workforce development infrastructure.

“For decades, we have been paving the way for young people on their journeys to healthcare careers,” said Aileen Harris, president of the NAO and center director for the Capital AHEC in Virginia. “That is helping to shape our healthcare system in a way that makes it more responsive to our most vulnerable populations. The impact of that work is in many ways immeasurable.”

Through academic and community partnerships, AHECs develop and train a diverse healthcare workforce prepared to deliver culturally appropriate, high-quality, team-based care, with an emphasis on primary care for rural and underserved populations.

The need to strengthen the healthcare workforce, particularly for the underserved, continues. According to new Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. could see a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, and the American Hospital Association says more than 200,000 new registered nurses are needed each year to meet increasing health care needs and to replace nurses entering retirement.

The nation’s 300 AHECs are in nearly every state and in multiple U.S. territories. Administered by the Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), AHECs are federally funded, and many are also supported by state governments, foundations, or other partners.

AHECs are well known for engaging future health professions in programming such as health career camps, shadowing experiences, academic enrichment, and networking opportunities. Once students enter their program of study, many AHECs facilitate rural student clinical rotations.

In its latest budget justification, HRSA noted that in a recent five-year period, the nation’s AHECs trained more than 1.8 million individuals. Forty-two percent of those completing programs were from a rural background, 40 percent were from disadvantaged backgrounds, and 29 percent were underrepresented minorities.

One of AHEC’s many programs is AHEC Scholars. Implemented in 2018, it provides supplemental education to health professions students that focuses on key topics such as cultural competency and emerging health issues.

“Completing the AHEC Scholars program has placed me in a position to be a stronger, more empathetic, and well-informed nurse,” said Chelsey Palmer, RN, a pediatric nurse who completed the Eastern Ohio AHEC Scholars program in 2020. “Through the knowledge gained, I am better able to serve my patients and my community. It has also increased my confidence and leadership skills.” 

Visit nationalahec.org or email info@nationalahec.org to learn more about AHEC.

END

Small-town roots

I was born and raised in Brattleboro, Vermont, a town of about 12,000. As the son of an ophthalmologist, I’ve wanted to be a doctor since I was little. I was always drawn to science and math in school and when I found how well medicine blends my love for complex problem solving with my love for making connections with others, I was sure I had found the perfect field for me.

Motivated by MedQuest

My interest in medicine was reaffirmed during my many years as a student, summer intern, and mentor at Southern Vermont AHEC. I was able to explore health care fields as part of my MedQuest experiences, something I learned about at school. (MedQuest, one of Southern Vermont AHEC’s signature programs, is a health careers exploration summer day program for students in grades 10-12.)

I also discovered my interest in teaching as a counselor during MedQuest in my first year of medical school.

Big-picture summers

I was able to learn about administrative practices and health policy during my summers as an AHEC intern. These summers included working with the Brattleboro Area Prevention Coalition to combat Vermont’s opioid epidemic, working with Springfield Medical Care Systems as they conducted their community health needs assessment, and working with the Vermont AHEC Network to promote dental health in Vermont’s youth population.  

AHEC Scholars

I’m an active participant in the AHEC Scholars program at The Robert Larner, M.D. College of Medicine at the University of Vermont The program emphasizes primary care in Vermont, with a fantastic primary care lecture series. I’ve attended many of these lectures and have learned so much about practicing general medicine, including patient care, finances, residency opportunities, and career opportunities, to name a few.

I also participated in a research project the summer after my first year of medical school that focused on burnout in the primary care physician. I did some data analysis using the University of Vermont’s  EPIC EMR (Electronic Medical Records) to try and determine ways to mitigate burnout through more effective documentation practices.

Current Status

I’m actively applying to pediatrics residency and have talked at length about my AHEC experiences during my interviews.

Reflections on AHEC

AHEC was integral in my exploration of medicine and has continued to provide insights into my future career as a physician. I am so grateful for the amazing opportunities afforded me over the last 10+ years and would recommend AHEC programming for any prospective student interested in a health care field.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AHEC celebrates 50 years of strengthening the nation’s healthcare workforce

An organization that has trained nearly 2 million healthcare professionals during the last five years and has been integral in responding to the COVID-19 pandemic is commemorating a half century of service.

Throughout 2021, the National AHEC Organization (NA0) has celebrated the 50^th anniversary of the legislation that created Area Health Education Centers.

“For decades, we have been paving the way for young people on their journeys to healthcare careers,” said Aileen Harris, president of the NAO and center director for the Capital AHEC in Virginia. “That is helping to shape our healthcare system in a way that makes it more responsive to our most vulnerable populations. The impact of that work is in many ways immeasurable.”

AHECs are indeed an important part of the nation’s health workforce development infrastructure. The program originated in response to a 1970 report by the Carnegie Foundation that expressed concern with U.S. healthcare availability and delivery.

The need to strengthen the healthcare workforce, particularly for the underserved, continues. According to new Association of American Medical Colleges, the U.S. could see a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, and the American Hospital Association says more than 200,000 new registered nurses are needed each year to meet increasing health care needs and to replace nurses entering retirement.

Through academic and community partnerships, AHECs develop and train a diverse healthcare workforce prepared to deliver culturally appropriate, high-quality, team-based care, with an emphasis on primary care for rural and underserved populations.

Programming and reach

The nation’s 300 AHECs are in nearly every state and in multiple U.S. territories. Administered by the Health Resource Services Administration (HRSA), AHECs are federally funded, and many are also supported by state governments, foundations, or other partners.

AHECs are well known for engaging future health professions in programming such as health career camps, shadowing experiences, academic enrichment, and networking opportunities. Once students enter their program of study, many AHECs facilitate rural student clinical rotations.

Molly Harp, D.O., a family medicine physician for Mosaic Life Care in St. Joseph, MO, first encountered AHEC as a 16-year-old when the Northwest Missouri AHEC arranged a job shadowing experience for her.

“I could write a very long book about the role AHEC has served in my life’s education and career path,” Dr. Harp said. “From internships and shadowing in high school, to college prep, leadership roles as a college student, advocating in the capital for the program, clinical rotations in medical school, and serving on the NW MO AHEC board as an attending, AHEC has been with me at every chapter and continues to enrich my professional life to this day.”

In its latest budget justification, HRSA noted that in a recent five-year period, the nation’s AHECs trained more than 1.8 million individuals. Forty-two percent of those completing programs were from a rural background, 40 percent were from disadvantaged backgrounds, and 29 percent were underrepresented minorities.

AHEC Scholars

The implementation of the AHEC Scholars program in 2018 has added another dimension to the way in which AHECs strengthen the healthcare workforce.

The program targets health professions students from multiple disciplines who are already enrolled in either a health professions degree program or an allied health workforce degree/certificate program. It provides supplemental education to health professions students that focuses on key topics such as cultural competency, behavioral health, and emerging health issues.

In the academic year 2020-2021, AHECs supported more than 7,000 AHEC Scholars, many of whom come from disadvantaged backgrounds.

“AHECs serve as that connection to introduce all the possibilities and offer the support to excel throughout the process,” said Tracy Causey, CEO of the Capital Area Health Network in Richmond, VA.

Causey also noted the important work AHECs do in creating a more diverse workforce. “Increasing the number of black and brown healthcare professionals increases the trust and quality of care for patients across the board,” he said.

Pandemic response

Gaps the pandemic has exposed in the healthcare system further reveal the value of the AHEC.

Pharmacy resident Brian Tran was in the Southwest Georgia AHEC Scholars program, which allowed him to be a part of outreach clinics for farmers and to get certifications in telehealth and Mental Health First Aid.

“Both certifications shined during the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tran said, “as healthcare organizations started to utilize telehealth and as social distancing and isolation created concern for mental health.”

AHECs, designed to be responsive to their community’s particular healthcare needs, addressed to the pandemic in multiple ways, from Covid-19 testing to contact tracing. This AHEC Pandemic Response Summary details some of those interventions.

For more information about AHEC, visit nationalahec.org, or watch this NAO 50^th anniversary video.

By Donna McCollum

Published: Nov. 23, 2021 at 10:04 PM CST

NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KTRE) - Flu and COVID-19 only accentuate the importance of having good rural health care.

Yet, the rural population is one of the largest physician-underserved populations in the nation. A collaboration is underway to improve the service.

When illness spreads across small towns and country lands, be glad Shontel Minor, a director of Texas AHEC Pineywoods, has your back.

“AHEC stands for Area Health Education Centers. And our focus is providing health care workforce development to our coverage areas,” explained Minor.

AHEC East extends across 100 counties.

Following a restructuring and obtaining non-profit status, The Pineywoods division is reconnecting with 17 Deep East Texas counties.

Minor tells regional leaders too few Deep East Texas students enter a career in health care. Their support establishes pipeline activities.

“So, we’ll be focusing on our health career promotion opportunities for our school age youth. We’ll also be doing clinical based education and training. We will be doing professional education and support as well as community health and development,” listed Minor.

Sam Houston State University’s newly developed medical school has a pipeline to 31 hospitals and clinics, most located in Deep East Texas. Sam Houston’s Dr. Courtney West.

“We would like our students come in train, go back out and train in those areas and then go back and live and serve.”

By summer’s end, Sam Houston med students will train in health facilities right along with students from other universities, including SFA and Angelina College. West is confident school rivalry will be left at the door.

“You’ll see nurses and physicians and students rotating thru these facilities together. It’s really not a competition. Once they go to medical school they come from all different colleges. It’s a collaboration”, said West.

The educator practices what she preaches. She has deep ties to East Texas. She was born and raised in Madisonville, with grandparents, parents, aunts, and uncles living throughout the Deep East Texas region.

Education centers, medical schools and community leaders provide the pipelines, so the division between health professions and community needs won’t exist.

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Copyright 2021 KTRE. All rights reserved.

the value of Area Health Education Centers

Backed by data, National AHEC Organization seeks increased funding

to grow the health care workforce for the underserved

New York, NY – Andrew Spitznogle always liked science, but what attracted him to medical school was more than his interest in biology, biochemistry, and the etiology of disease.

 He was looking for conversation – meaningful discussions with patients “to help them toward well-being and longevity while also easing pain and suffering.”

 The third-year medical student at the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine participated in a Manhattan-Staten Island AHEC program during the summer of 2020 — the height of the COVID-19 pandemic and social justice unrest.

 “The program provided an outside perspective of medicine, which was not entirely clear in the classroom,” Spitznogle said. “Discussion of social injustice in medicine in terms of race, wealth, zip code, and sexual identity put the meaning of my schooling into context.”

 Area Health Education Centers, or AHECs, were created by Congress 50 years ago to strengthen the healthcare workforce in underserved areas and exist in most states, the District of Columbia, and many U.S. territories.

 Because they work somewhat behind the scenes, AHECs may not be familiar to many outside of healthcare, but they have touched millions of lives.

 One of AHEC’s many programs is AHEC Scholars. Implemented in 2018, it provides supplemental education to health professions students that focuses on key topics such as cultural competency and emerging health issues.

 The crises of 2020 exposed gaps in the healthcare system – and further revealed the value of the AHEC Scholars curriculum.

 Pharmacy resident Brian Tran was in the Southwest Georgia AHEC Scholars program, which allowed him to be a part of outreach clinics for farmers and to get certifications in telehealth and Mental Health First Aid.

 “Both certifications shined during the past year due to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Tran said, “as healthcare organizations started to utilize telehealth and as social distancing and isolation created concern for mental health.”

In the academic year 2019-2020, AHECs supported 5,632 AHEC Scholars, approximately 38 percent of whom came from a rural background. Nearly 46 percent of the participants came from a disadvantaged background.

 In a post-program survey, 90 percent of AHEC Scholars rated themselves confident in their ability to reflect on and describe their perceptions and biases of individuals from different professional or cultural backgrounds, compared to 36 percent before the program.

“The foresight HRSA (the Health Resources and Services Administration) demonstrated in developing the AHEC Scholars program was incredible,” said Gloria Burnett, president of the National AHEC Organization (NAO) and director of Alaska’s AHEC program. “We look forward to seeing the impact of these AHEC Scholars as they begin practicing in our nation's most vulnerable communities,”

 In its latest budget justification, HRSA noted that in a recent five-year period, the nation’s AHECs trained more than 1.8 million individuals.

 Forty-two percent of those completing programs were from a rural background, 40 percent were from disadvantaged backgrounds, and 29 percent were underrepresented minorities.

 “There are a lot of success stories behind that data,” Burnett said. “For decades, we have consistently shaped the healthcare workforce in a positive way for those who need it most, one student and one community at a time.”

 Currently funded at $43.25 million, NAO is asking Congress for $67 million for AHECs in fiscal year 2022, which, for context, is comparable to the annual budget of a single medium-sized U.S. hospital. That funding level would fulfill the vision in current AHEC legislation that each regional AHEC would have stable support of at least $250,000 to serve its communities. There are some 300 AHEC regional centers and program offices nationwide.

 “When adjusted for inflation, our funding has barely risen over the years,” said Dwain Harris, NAO chief executive officer, “even as the need for our services has grown. Some of our centers are staffed with a single employee, which isn’t how we were designed to operate.”

 Click here to advocate for the AHEC program. Visit nationalahec.org to learn how your organization can partner with AHEC, or email info@nationalahec.org.

High Sierra AHEC receives $1 million CDC contract

The High Sierra AHEC has been awarded a $1 million contract with the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services to bolster public health workforce initiatives.

“These funds will afford us the ability to expand our health care workforce department and Diversity Equity and Inclusion (DEI)/Cultural Competency initiatives,” said Andrea Gregg, Executive Director of the High Sierra AHEC.”

The funds originated with the Federal American Rescue Plan enacted in March to address the impact of the pandemic and is being administered through the Centers for Disease Control.

The High Sierra team plans to add five full-time employees: a workforce development director, student services coordinator, two health education coordinators, and diversity coordinator.  Gregg has also created three new positions -- workforce planning manager, diversity advisor, and an operations manager position – filled via internal staff promotions.

The funding will allow High Sierra to expand its health careers programming.  New projects will include the development and implementation of a community health worker (CMW) apprenticeship program offering Level I CHW certification to high school seniors prior to graduation, placing them with employers for paid work-based learning and training to then become level II certified and eventually offered employment. After a year of implementation, the aim is to expand into a similar model for medical assistants. 

In addition, the AHEC’s pipeline programs will be enhanced to include public health curriculum, addressing population recovery and resilience needs to respond effectively to the COVDI-19 pandemic. The support will provide students and school sites with public health-related resources and appropriate linkages to their community-based organizations to overcome gaps and barriers as a result of COVID-19.  

The diversity coordinator will provide health and community organizations with education and training focused on diversity, healthy equity, and cultural competency to support a diverse workforce that is representative of the populations they serve and to improve the treatment and care of these patient populations. 

“We will also have the opportunity to enhance our training capacity, providing a required cultural competency training to licensed medical facilities across the state,” Gregg said.

The funds will also support the hiring of three part-time paid internship positions that will be outsourced to provide support to partnering agencies, schools, FQHCs, and community centers.  The High Sierra AHEC will work with partner agencies to craft a custom scope of work, solicit and place the qualified candidate, serve as a support partner to the designated preceptor site, and provide the opportunity to increase staffing capacity at designations with limited resources. 

“We are so pleased to have had the kind of relationship with our state partners that they are placing their trust in us to do this important work,” Gregg said. “The initiative truly is the perfect match to the AHEC mission and intersects nicely with our established programs.”