South Louisiana AHEC Scholars Program

AHEC Scholars is a two-year program that works to ensure participants have the skills to make a difference in rural or underserved settings. Much of your existing coursework or clinical experience may apply, and additional coursework may be completed online or in person!

Serving the Underserved

The Institute of Medicine (IOM) Committee on the Future of Primary Care defines primary care as “the provision of integrated, accessible health care services by clinicians who are accountable for addressing a large majority of personal health care needs, developing a sustained partnership with patients, and practicing in the context of family and community.” The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) estimates that demand will exceed the supply of available primary care professionals by 2020. Health professional shortage maps demonstrate Louisiana’s struggle to meet the growing care needs across the state in medical, dental, and behavioral health professions. South Louisiana AHECs are working to meet the training needs of our future providers.

About the Program

Co-created and co-taught by faculty across the state, with both statewide and regional components, Louisiana AHEC Scholars Program includes 40 hours of didactics and 40 hours of clinical work over the two year program. Scholars develop new skills to deepen their practice in rural or underserved settings, and are introduced to an interprofessional framework that will be crucial to improving health and health care wherever they practice.

Louisiana is home to four regional AHEC centers that foster comprehensive statewide activities in health careers, continuing professional development, community-based health professions education, graduate medical education, and practice transformation.

The U.S. Congress created the National Area Health Education Centers (AHEC) programs in 1971 as part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).  The AHECs were created to link the resources of university health science centers with local planning, educational and clinical resources. Today, this network of health-related institutions provides multidisciplinary educational services to students, faculty, and local practitioners, ultimately improving healthcare delivery in medically underserved areas throughout our nation.

Our Partners

The AHEC Scholars Program is part of the National AHEC Organization, which supports and advances the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) network to improve health by leading the nation in recruitment, training, and retention of a diverse healthcare workforce in underserved communities. Visit nationalahec.org for more information or click here to learn more about AHEC Scholars.

• Receive $2,000 stipend ($500 per semester) to assist with general living expenses
• Receive designation as a South Louisiana AHEC Scholar upon graduation
• Participate in a follow up survey one year after completion

*Students that have participated in an interprofessional training program (e.g. LSUHSC’s Team Up) may be able to apply hours from that experience to AHEC Scholars.

Southeast and Southwest Louisiana AHECs are the stewards of AHEC Scholars in South Louisiana. A growing list of key partners include Louisiana State University Health Science Center – New Orleans, Delgado Community College, University of Louisiana – Lafayette, and McNeese State University.

Timeline and Benefits

For more information, or to determine what completed work might apply to your total requirement, send us an email at liz.tamor@selahec.org or APPLY NOW. See below for more detail.