AHEC

AREA HEALTH EDUCATION CENTER AHEC

The purpose and mission of Area Health Education Center (AHEC) is to improve health status, increase access to care, and assure that the future and current health care workforce is properly trained and practice in medically under-served communities. This is done through community-based training, recruitment and retention of healthcare professionals and workers, developing and implementing continuing education programs to meet the needs of healthcare professionals in rural and medically under-served areas, and to plan and respond to community health needs through population-based health system development and public education.

The Federal AHEC Program began in the early 70’s and the Louisiana AHEC was activated in 1988 through a grant written by Louisiana State University Medical Center in North Louisiana. The Louisiana AHEC system began operation in 1988 through the efforts of the LSU School of Medicine which petitioned the federal government for funding. Four centers across the state were opened on a staggered basis. The Louisiana Centers have all completed their five year cycles of federal funding and are now supported through cooperative agreements with the LSU Schools of Medicine in Shreveport and New Orleans. LSU Health Shreveport provides significant

funding in support of Bayou North AHEC and Central

Louisiana AHEC. Bayou North AHEC serves 21 parishes in North Louisiana and Central Louisiana AHEC serves 17 parishes in central and south-central Louisiana.

LSU Health Shreveport

offers a variety of AHEC programs for students:

■ THREE high-school programs, that encourage high school students to pursue a career in healthcare ■ TWO undergraduate programs ■ FOUR professional student programs

Day with Doctors is available to eligible high school juniors and seniors. This one-day, interactive program provides students with an opportunity to experience and observe a day’s activities on a medical school campus. Students interact with faculty and medical students, discuss health careers and medical school, as well as learn basic medical diagnostic skills. Hands-on training includes: exploring the anatomy lab, learning suturing techniques, learning to listen for breath and heart sounds, taking a radial pulse and blood pressure, and improving communication and listening skills in working with patients.

LSU Health Shreveport faculty members and staff are available to answer questions regarding educational prerequisites, medical school admissions, medical school costs, and personal preparation for the commitment of a health career.

A-HEC of a Summer is a 15-day summer program for eligible high school students in north and central Louisiana. Students participate in a structured, hands-on learning environment led by trained educators and healthcare program supervisors. Participants explore career opportunities using interactive workshops, field trips, lectures and speakers while applying their science knowledge to everyday scenarios experienced in the healthcare industry.

Rural Scholars program targets undergraduate students from rural areas who represent a potential pool of medical school recruits that could significantly increase the number of rural physicians in Louisiana. The Scholars program provides students an opportunity to gain a competitive edge in their medical school applications through retreats hosted twice a year by LSU Health Shreveport where students receive information on admissions, early decision, MCAT, resumes and personal statements and are provided interview tips, mock interviews, and a hands-on workshop to boost their application.

AHEC Scholars is a program for students interested in supplementing their education by gaining additional experience in rural and medically under-served settings. This is a two-year program with one year post tracking. Interdisciplinary teamwork is a complex process in which different types of medical professionals work together to share expertise, knowledge, and skills to impact positively, patient care. This includes but is not limited to students in medical, dental, pharmacy, nurse practitioner, nursing, physician assistant, social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and public/population health programs.

Primary Care Rural Preceptorship Program is a hands-on primary care experience designed to expose medical students to the professional, business and social aspects of practicing primary medicine in rural and/or medically underserved areas of Louisiana. Preceptorships are arranged with solo practitioners, group practices and clinics that provide primary care in Louisiana. The program is offered to medical students the summer after their first year of medical school.

AHEC provides program opportunities for students pursuing a career in the healthcare industry, starting at the high school level. These programs are critical as rural healthcare professionals are needed throughout Louisiana. According to the USDA, 15.65% of Louisiana residents live in rural areas. The Louisiana Department of Health has designated 60 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes as majority Health Professional Shortage Areas for primary care based on geography (not enough practitioners) or low-income population (lack of access to existing care).1 Our Area Health Education (AHEC) programs provide students in rural areas the opportunities to gain experience in rural healthcare before graduating high school, to have an edge on their medical school applications, and to receive a focused education on serving rural and medically under-served communities while pursuing graduate education.

LSU Health Shreveport has long been an investor in AHEC as they jointly work to improve health status, increase access to healthcare, and ensure that the future and current healthcare workforce is properly trained and practice in rural and medically under-served communities. The LSUHS School of Medicine ranks in the top 8% in the nation for graduates

practicing in under-served communities.

The AHEC Program Office is a part of the LSU Health Pediatrics Department. Faculty include Dr. Maroun Mhanna, Pediatric Chairman; Jacob Chambers, Business Manager; Shirley Wilson, Project Manager and Dr. Wanda H. Thomas serves as the Program Director.