The competition is closed for the 2023 Future Health Hero Training Awards. Congratulations to all of our award winners!

About the award

Our mission is to improve health and healthcare for the underserved by increasing access to learning and professional development opportunities for health professionals, promoting health career development to students, and enhancing collaborative, community-based health promotion activities.

Students must reside (permanent home address or address during school) in the following counties: Christian, Dewitt, Logan, Macon, Macoupin, Marshall, McLean, Menard, Morgan, Montgomery, Moultrie, Peoria, Piatt, Sangamon, Tazewell, or Woodford.

• Applicants must be enrolled at an Illinois college or university.
• Applicants must be enrolled or enrolling full-time in a health science program at an Illinois college or university for the 2023 Fall semester and intend to practice in a rural or underserved setting upon completion of the program.
• Priority will be given to applicants who have participated in any Illinois AHEC activities or applicants who commit to participating in an AHEC-related activity within 6 months of receiving the award. Examples of activities include the AHEC Scholars program, job shadowing experiences, health career camps, and participation in community education events.

Applicants must submit:

• A completed application
• A personal statement that provides a personal profile of yourself (one page minimum, two page maximum).
  • Include your personal strengths and how they will help you contribute to your chosen profession.
  • Include your professional goals and how will this award help you attain your goals.
  • How your activities (volunteer, work, etc..) have impacted your rural or underserved community.
• Letter of acceptance or class schedule from college/program applicant is enrolled in.

Awards are chosen by a selection committee via a scoring system.

Recent Winners