The Illinois AHEC Network works to improve the supply, distribution and quality of health care professionals in Illinois. It improves health care for the underserved by promoting health careers to students, enriching learning environments for current students, and providing professional development opportunities. Our regional centers partner with universities and health care organizations, encouraging collaboration and advancing local solutions to health care problems. These activities support our overall goal of achieving an equitable distribution of health professionals and services throughout all Illinois communities and regions.

Early preparation – Opportunities to observe health professionals at work and having exposure to possibilities can set elementary and high school students on the path to a rewarding career.

Higher education – The undergraduate years are pivotal in preparation for many clinical careers, and bachelor’s level preparation can open the door to many fields. Some health careers require graduate degrees or advanced clinical degrees. In Illinois, our underserved rural and urban communities are in dire need of primary care clinicians, dentists, psychiatrists, and physical therapists. Behavioral health needs often go unmet, a situation that will only be addressed by training more professionals with appropriate expertise

Unique programs and opportunities – Throughout the state, our partner hospitals and organizations passionately work on the front lines of health care delivery and access. The National Center for Rural Health Professions, the Rural Medical Education program and the Urban Medicine Program provide unrivaled opportunities for those aspiring to work in in areas of acute need. Illinois AHEC recognizes the importance of population health and a public health perspective and maintains an urban program office at the UIC School of Public Health.

Serving the community – Our programs offer enrichment and new opportunities to community health workers, working professionals, job seekers, school personnel, employers and the communities they serve. Many of our partner organizations provide healthcare services while our AHEC network nurtures a new generation of health professionals and public health experts.

Illinois AHEC, and this website, are funded by the Health Resources and Services Administration, the federal agency charged with training health professionals and improving health care for people who are geographically isolated, economically disadvantaged or medically vulnerable. The contents are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the official views of, nor an endorsement, by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.