This August, Central Illinois AHEC provided $750 Future Health Hero Training Awards to seven students across the region who are pursuing health profession degrees.

The Future Health Hero Training Award is awarded to students who are from or attending a two- or four-year academic institution in Central Illinois AHEC’s service area, which comprises Christian, Dewitt, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marshall, McLean, Menard, Morgan, Montgomery, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Sangamon, Tazewell, and Woodford counties.

The award is provided to students based on their academic merit, volunteer and extracurricular experience, and their desire to pursue a career in health or healthcare in a rural or underserved area.

Winners were selected by members of the Central Illinois AHEC Community Advisory Board from a pool of nearly 70 applicants.

The 2023 Future Health Hero Training Award winners:

• Natalie Graf, Nursing, Heartland Community College
• Emily Harris, Medical Laboratory Science, Illinois State University
• Katelyn Lamps, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Illinois State University
• Erica Mills, Diagnostic Medical Sonography, Southern Illinois University Carbondale
• Olivia Rimbo, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Illinois State University
• Madison Rohlfs, Radiology, Heartland Community College
• Rachel Schussler, Nursing, Millikin University

More than 60 students from across the region have received a training award since the Central Illinois AHEC was established in 2014.

Learn more about Central Illinois AHEC student opportunities and programs.