Our programs and activities support underrepresented healthcare students who want to practice in underserved rural and urban areas in the Northeast Illinois region.
PRE-COLLEGE STUDENTS
Interested in a career in health care? AHEC can get you started.
HEALTH CAREER SUMMER CAMPS are a way for high school students to explore a variety of health careers through hands-on investigations and learn about these from NIU faculty and industry professionals. Students will meet with pharmacologists, biomedical engineers, epidemiologists and other health professionals, as well as collaborate with their peers on case studies and investigations. Learn more.
COLLEGE LEVEL HEALTH PROFESSIONS STUDENTS
The health care work environment is changing rapidly, and students often need additional training to enhance their current curriculum. AHEC has those opportunities for you.
AHEC SCHOLARS is a two-year program for students who are committed to improving health care in rural and underserved communities. It uniquely blends community-based experiential opportunities with online training on key topics such as cultural competency and social determinants of health. Being an AHEC Scholar gives students the opportunity to distinguish themselves and to make meaningful connections that can lead to future employment and career growth. See details and apply.
HEALTH PROFESSIONS SUMMER INSTITUTE provides hands on health workforce exposure. Programming includes career demonstrations, HIPAA orientation, certification opportunities, as well as information on knowing your rights and records relief. Contact us about taking part.
FIELD PLACEMENTS, INTERNSHIPS AND COMMUNITY-BASED-ROTATIONS are opportunities to experience health care delivery and population health in community settings. We work with partners in primary care settings, hospitals, county health departments, and other local organizations to provide placements – often formal rotations – and service learning opportunities. Through interaction with patients, students learn first-hand about economic and cultural barriers to care and the specific needs of underserved populations. Contact us to discuss.
FACILITY TOURS can include visits to hospitals and other organizations and can be arranged in a variety of settings. Facility tours are featured activities in multiple programs.
CAREER ADVISING is available to health profession students from working professionals who can share their day-to-day experiences and provide real life insight into their chosen field. Contact us today to connect with a health care professional.
VIRTUAL JOB SHADOWING is the next best thing when unable to shadow in person. We can provide access to VirtualJobShadow.com, with its interactive tools to help students develop career paths. Learn more.
MENTORSHIP can be one of the most impactful experiences in a student’s journey, especially for first-generation college students and students from underrepresented races, ethnicities, genders, low socioeconomic status, and other social identities. Our “Still We Rise” program typically will involve resume and resource sharing, monthly meetings, and career progress tracking for those still in high school to more advanced programs for college and post-baccalaureate students. Mentorship in professional areas of social justice, multiculturally responsive counseling, clinical mental health, and addiction counseling can be requested specifically by students. Schedule an appointment to discuss mentorship needs and expectations.
RURAL HEALTH EXPERIENCES (RHE) is a three- to five-day opportunity for students to fully immerse themselves in rural health care at a site in Illinois. Participants shadow professionals of various disciplines in a rural hospital or clinic as well as observe interprofessional team meetings. This collaboration between AHEC and the National Center for Rural Health Professions is open to AHEC Scholars (priority), undergraduate juniors and seniors, and gap year students. Learn more.
6-WEEK RURAL INTERPROFESSIONAL PRECEPTORSHIP is a full-time, paid rural immersion experience in a rural community. Students shadow a variety of health professionals in hospital and clinic settings, county health departments and other organizations. They discuss core topics in underserved health care and develop and implement a community service learning project focused on a real-life health priority in the community. The program, offered annually through a collaboration with the National Center for Rural Health Professions, is open to AHEC Scholars and students in the third or fourth year of their academic program. Learn more.
AHEC is here to help you prepare the students of today to be the health care professionals of tomorrow.
HEALTH FAIRS AND EXPOS are ways for Northeast AHEC to participate in your health-themed celebrations, such as having a booth that promotes health and wellness activities. Contact us about how we can work together to promote the health and wellness of your audience.
VIRTUAL MENTAL HEALTH OR HEALTH CARE PRESENTATIONS are an essential part of our promotion of health careers. We can teach students in a fun and engaging way about the vast opportunities in health care. Contact us to schedule a date to speak with your group.
OPPORTUNITIES FOR PRACTICING PROFESSIONALS
CONTINUING EDUCATION sessions, in the classroom and online, are designed to support the educational needs of practicing health care professionals in rural and underserved communities. To provide competent health care services, all students and professionals need an accurate, evidence-based understanding of addiction assessment, interventions, and treatment methods. We partners with the Illinois Certification Board’s leadership team to provide CEUs to addiction counseling certified professionals. Learn more.
(Shown at top, Northeast AHEC center director Giselle Navarro (center) with NIU student Josiah Jones at an internship fair.)
Illinois Area Health Education Centers