Virginia AHEC Scholars Program

vaahec@vhwda.org

Virginia AHEC Scholars is a multidisciplinary certificate program for health professions students that offers opportunities for hands-on training, experience in rural and underserved communities, and networking with other students and professionals.

This program requires a 2 year commitment and consists of 40 hours of didactic and 40 hours each year of clinical activities in addition to the regular coursework required by the degree program.

AHEC Scholars is a program of the National AHEC Organization that is implemented by local, statewide, and regional AHECs. Core topic areas covered in the curriculum include:

• Interprofessional education
• Behavioral health integration
• Connecting communities and supporting health professionals
• Virtual learning and telehealth
• Social determinants of health
• Cultural competency
• Practice transformation
• Current and emerging health issues

The program begins on January 27, 2025.

Students should have an interest in rural or underserved healthcare, be currently enrolled in a health professions degree or certificate program, and be 2 years from program or degree completion.

This includes, but is not limited to students in program areas:

• Medical
• Dental
• Behavioral health
• Pharmacy
• Nurse practitioner
• Nursing
• Physician assistant
• Social work
• Physical therapy
• Occupational therapy
• Public and population health

This program is provided at no cost to participating scholars. Other benefits are described on the program website.

Benefits include:

• Practical hands-on training with unique experience with rural and underserved populations
• Professional mentoring and networking opportunities for residency and employment after graduation
• Priority consideration for state loan repayment and scholarship programs
• Additional incentives include priority opportunity preceptor placement, stipends, and loan repayment

A link to the online application is available on the program website.