From Left to Right, PA AHEC Scholars Valerie Jordan (Pitt OT ‘24), Sandy Durosier (ATSU-SOMA ‘25), Kristen Bryant (SLUHN ‘24), and Hannah Pulley (Pitt OT ‘24) attend the Association of Clinicians for the Underserved’s annual conference in Washington, DC.
“AHEC gave me great understanding of problems impacting my current and future patients, and offered me an incredible network of resources to learn more to help them.”
The Pennsylvania AHEC Scholars Program supports the development of students’ competencies to provide quality, patient-centered care for individuals in rural and underserved areas, as well as other vulnerable populations.
Through this supplemental, self-guided 2-year curriculum, Scholars:
Develop awareness of barriers to healthcare, as well as the complex needs of rural and urban underserved communities.
Participate in clinical, didactic, and community-based activities enhanced by interprofessional collaboration with AHEC Scholars across Pennsylvania and the nation.
Examine how social determinants of health, behavioral health needs, and cultural characteristics impact individual and population health.
Develop a professional identity that is attuned to the needs of vulnerable patients and that genuinely reflects on one’s own beliefs and practices.
Who are AHEC Scholars?
Scholars are, by their education and training, actively preparing to join the diverse healthcare workforce as nurses, dentists, occupational therapists, physicians, physician assistants, and numerous other vital roles.
Collectively, these dedicated individuals share a common passion for promoting health equity and ensuring that all members of our community—regardless of their background, race, identity, or zip code—have the necessary access to healthcare and comprehensive support they need to lead healthy, fulfilled lives. Their commitment reflects a deep understanding of the importance of equitable healthcare access for everyone.
Sound like you?
What do former PA AHEC Scholars have to say?
“I learned so much about how vital interdisciplinary collaboration is for providing care to vulnerable populations, which allowed me to learn more about the expertise of other professions. ”
“AHEC helps fill the gaps present in traditional academic programs surrounding intersectionality, diversity, equity, and underserved populations as a whole.”
“It is a great opportunity to work with interdisciplinary students to gain more perspectives and learn about disadvantaged populations and how care teams can support these diverse populations. ”
Did you meet us at the university of Pittsburgh recently?
And are you here looking for the recipe for the most delicious brownies you’ve ever tasted?
Look no further than the green button!