Illinois AHEC Scholars is part of a national program designed to prepare students for the challenges and opportunities facing today’s health professions – and to ensure that they are effectively contributing as up-and-coming health professionals. AHEC Scholars make meaningful connections that can lead to and strengthen future employment. They network with students from a variety of health fields and meet local employers and learn about career opportunities in the area.
THE PROGRAM
AHEC Scholars participate in a mix of enhanced learning – both online and in-person – as well as hands-on activities. Each year involves 40 hours of online classroom training and 40 hours of community-based experiences – all designed to give students in-depth knowledge and a diverse set of skills to ensure success.
Online, self-paced modules integrate with the experiential training and focus on the program’s core topics:
- Interprofessional Practice
- Practice Transformation
- Behavioral Health
- Social Determinants of Health
- Cultural Competency
- Connecting Communities to the Healthcare System
- Virtual Learning and Telehealth
In the community-based portion, includes but is not limited to:
- Job shadowing
- Career coaching
- One summer institute per year
- Immersion experiences in underserved communities
- A community service learning project
WHO CAN PARTICIPATE
Students join during the last two years of their career preparation. Eligible students are:
- Interested in learning more about rural and underserved communities.
- Currently enrolled in a health professions degree or certificate program.
- In their final two years of career preparation.
- Prepared to make a two-year commitment.
The program is open to students in the following healthcare disciplines:
- Dentistry (DDS, DMD)
- Medicine (DO, MD)
- Mental Health Counseling/Psychology (MA, MS, PhD)
- Nurse Practitioner (APN, DNP)
- Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Physical Therapy (DPT)
- Physician Assistant (MPAS)
- Public Health (MPH, PhD)
- Registered Nurse (ADN, BSN, MSN)
- Social Work (MSW, PhD)
- Occupational Therapy (MOT, OTD)
HOW TO PARTICIPATE
Each of Illinois’ regional AHECs has designed its AHEC Scholars program to meet local needs. You may join a program based on either your school location or your home address. There is no cost to participate.
