South Louisiana AHEC Scholars Program

Join a growing nationwide network of AHEC Scholars that have the skills to meet the needs of those who need it most!

Applications accepted on a rolling basis.

Join a growing nationwide network of AHEC Scholars that have the skills to meet the needs of those who need it most!

Want to earn $2000 over 2 years?
Want cutting edge health professions training that sets you apart in a competitive job market?
Want to graduate with an additional distinction?
Want to join the cutting edge of health professions training with other students and disciplines from across the state and nation?

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!

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.

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.

Timeline and Benefits

*Applications Due Date*	Rolling
*Cohort #1 Applications Close*	Early fall 2023
*Notification of Award*	September 2023
*Program Begins*	October 2023
*Cohort #1 Ends*	May 2023

Interested applicants for the 2019-20 Louisiana AHEC Scholars Program must complete the online application, available here. Please contact us if you would prefer a paper copy at robin.g@selahec.org. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.

Selected applicants can expect the following:

Participate in 40hrs didactic and 40 hours practice experience during each of the two-years of AHEC Scholars. Topics may include (but are not limited to) interprofessional education, behavioral health education, social determinants of health, cultural competency, practice transformation, practical clinical skills, prevention, systems science, models for improvement, social determinants of health, current and emerging issues, and regionally relevant topics. Opportunities to complete these requirements include:

- Interprofessional simulation activities
- Partnering with Louisiana’s healthcare leaders on quality improvement initiatives
- Fieldwork placements/rotations in team-based practice settings
- Access to online courses focused on the core topics
- Some of your existing work may apply!

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. Contact Robin Gruenfeld, South Louisiana AHEC Scholars Program Director, at robin.g@selahec.org to find out more.

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.

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.

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