The Central Illinois Area Health Education Center (AHEC), based at Illinois State University, launched the Illinois AHEC Scholars Program in 2019 and is recruiting for 2021. AHEC Scholars is a competitive two-year program that expands on traditional health professions student education and training. The Program recruits, trains, and supports a diverse group of students from Illinois creating a team of multidisciplinary healthcare professionals committed to both community service and the transformation of healthcare in the Illinois. The goal of the Program is to create future leaders in rural and underserved healthcare who understand the complex issues that exist and as they emerge.
Student benefits include knowledge to complement their programs, interprofessional and experiential education, and networking with other students, healthcare professionals, and organizations. Upon completion of the Program, students receive a nationally recognized AHEC Scholars Certificate.
While in the Program, students participate in a yearly Scholars Institute where they meet and discuss various healthcare topics. They complete online, self-paced training modules focusing on key topics in underserved healthcare: practice transformation, behavioral health, social determinants of health, cultural competency, interprofessional training and education, and current and emerging issues. Scholars take part in community-based experiential training and an interprofessional community service-learning project.
Eligible students are those with at least two years remaining in an undergraduate or graduate health professions program such as public health, social work, psychology, nursing (all levels), pharmacy, medicine, physician’s assistant, physical therapy, and two-year allied health programs. There is no cost to apply and the Central Illinois AHEC will cover the costs of the program.
To apply, visit: https://www.ilahecscholars.com/
For more information contact Sharon Mills, Director, Central Illinois AHEC, smmills@ilstu.edu or (309) 438-5326.
