Program Overview

Purpose

The AHEC program has several important purposes, including:

• Forming linkages between health care delivery systems and educational resources in underserved communities;

• Creating collaborative community-based education and training opportunities for health professionals, students and primary care resident physicians;

• Increasing the number of individuals from minority and underserved communities who enter health careers;

• Supporting multidisciplinary and interdisciplinary training in response to community needs; and

• Creating systems for learning and networks for information dissemination.

AHECs provide health professions students the opportunity to work side by side with preceptors while living in underserved communities. By giving students this opportunity during their professional training, they are exposed to the rewards, benefits, and challenges of serving in these rural and underserved areas.