What is the AHEC Scholars program?
The AHEC Scholars Program is for current health profession students interested in gaining additional training and team-based clinical experiences working in rural areas and/or with underserved populations. The program is open to students in disciplines that support primary health care services delivery including both clinical roles, such as physician, physician assistant, nurse, pharmacist, surgical technologist, radiologic technologist, mental health counselor, addiction counselor and clinical lab scientist, and non-clinical roles such as social workers, community health workers, and others.
AHEC Scholars will practice interprofessional collaboration and better position themselves to join a well-prepared diverse and culturally competent primary care workforce demonstrating team-based care as an element of practice transformation and achieving more effective patient outcomes.
Eligibility criteria will be assessed via a formal application process for students enrolled in either a health professions or allied health workforce degree/certificate program. Each class of Scholars will reflect a diverse student body with students from disadvantaged backgrounds and underrepresented minorities.
This program supplements students’ existing health professions programs. Participation commitment is for at least 2 years* and culminates in completion or graduation from a certificate or degree program. Project is currently in the development stage.
*Some health profession programs such as community health workers (CHWs) will only require a commitment of 1 year.