AHEC Scholars
“The scholars program was very beneficial to my academic career. It allowed me to gain a lot of insight. I have recently graduated from West Texas A&M University and am now a Covid ICU nurse!”
-Cassandra, BSN
“This program was absolutely amazing! It provided me with a plethora of knowledge and resources, while also relieving some of the financial burden that comes with attending a university. Highly recommend!”
-Emily, Speech Language Pathology
“I loved AHECS! Stefanie was so helpful and always willing to lend a hand! The trainings she provided me were all essential to preparing me to effectively and efficiently enter the workforce as a speech language pathologist with new skills to communicate with a diverse population of patients. One of my favorite things about the program is that I was able to earn many certificates due to the completion of each section within AHECS which I added to my resume! Thank you AHECS for funding 3 years of my education. I couldn’t have developed beyond my current skills without you!”
-Teranesha, Speech Language Pathology
“It helped me pay for bills throughout school. I was grateful for this program.”
-Lakin, Speech Language Pathology
AHEC Scholars is a program for undergraduate and graduate health professions students interested in enhancing their education and experiences beyond the classroom. Students will gain knowledge and experiences in patient-centered team-based care and learn about unique challenges that face underserved rural and/or urban communities.
Panhandle AHEC will award AHEC Scholars an $800 stipend upon completion of each year of the two-year program, for a total of $1600.
Program duration is two years and each year includes the following for a total of 160 hours:- 40 hours community-based, experiential, or clinical training in rural and/or underserved areas
- 40 hours didactic education per year (focused on six Core Topic Areas)
- Core Topic Areas include information on:
- Interprofessional Education
- Behavioral Health Integration
- Social Determinants of Health
- Cultural Competency
- Practice Transformation
- Current and Emerging Health Issues
- Signed agreement to participate in longitudinal tracking
Eligibility Criteria
Students should have a current interest in rural or underserved healthcare, be currently enrolled in a health professions degree or certificate program, be two years from program or degree completion, and commit to two years in the AHEC Scholars program and a one-time program follow-up.
If you’re looking to graduate from your health professions program with distinction, consider applying to become an AHEC Scholar. Slots to participate are limited.
Program Requirements:
- Complete and submit signed agreement
- Complete and submit pre-survey
- Complete 40 hours didactic education per year (self paced)
- Complete and submit rotation log with 40 hours community-based, experiential, or clinical training in rural and/or underserved area
- Complete and submit post-survey
Rotation Log
As an AHEC Scholar at least 40 hours of community-based, experiential, or clinical training rotations will need to be submitted. Clinical observation requirements as part of the student's health professions program may count toward the AHEC Scholars Program - contact us to find out. Rotations must take place in Texas, be in a rural and/or medically underserved area, and occur while enrolled as an AHEC Scholar.
Application Information
For additional information about the AHEC Scholars Program, click here.
Interested in applying to the AHEC Scholars Program? Click here to send us your information so we can contact you!