AHEC Scholars

What is the AHEC Scholars Program?

List of core topic areas

AHEC Scholars is a two-year national program funded by HRSA, designed to better prepare health profession students for future practice in rural and urban underserved communities. Statewide collaboration between the Oregon AHEC Program Office and Regional Centers, and academic and clinical partners provides a robust interprofessional experience for learners.

Participating students earn a certificate of completion after gaining valuable experience at team-based rural and/or urban underserved clinical practice sites, and receive didactic training focused in eight core topic areas. Collectively, this training aims to prepare health profession students to be better equipped at addressing the unique needs of underserved communities.

Academic Partners

Currently, Oregon AHEC enrolls 75 - 125 new students in the program each year. The rich diversity of learners is a valuable asset to the program, with eleven participating programs, and representing four universities. 

Oregon Health & Science University
School of Dentistry
School of Medicine - M.D.
School of Medicine - P.A.
School of Nursing - N.P.

OHSU and Oregon State University
College of Pharmacy

Oregon State University - Cascades
Doctor of Physical Therapy Program

Pacific University
School of Occupational Therapy
School of Physician Assistant Studies
School of Pharmacy

Western University of Health Sciences
College of Osteopathic Medicine of the Pacific Northwest
College of Health Sciences NW - D.P.T.

Students must:

  • Be a health profession student enrolled in a participating Oregon-based academic program.
  • Be in academic good standing.
  • Commit to two years of participation, culminating in graduation. Health profession programs of less than two years may receive an exception on a case-by-case basis.
  • Complete the AHEC Scholars application (link via the button below).

Note:

  • AHEC Scholars is not a scholarship and does not conflict with any scholarships you may have and/or pursue.
  • This program is not linked to a service commitment. It will not conflict with any program that does have a post-graduation service commitment.
  • Participation makes you eligible to apply for the Primary Loan Forgiveness (PCLF) program, administered by the Oregon Office of Rural Health.
  • Be part of a nationally recognized program
  • Eligibility to apply for the Primary Loan Forgiveness (PCLF) program
  • Scholarship and poster presentation opportunities at the Annual Oregon Rural Health Conference
  • Opportunities to engage with students from diverse health professions, academic institutions and backgrounds
  • Utilize curricular and non-curricular learning opportunities to better prepare yourself for rural and urban underserved patient care
  • Certificate of Completion
  • AHEC Scholars Fund
  • Career planning support through the Office of Rural Health including loan forgiveness and loan repayment options, access to rural job postings through www.3RNet.org & connection to HR departments in rural communities etc.

This project is supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under U77HP03052 Model State Area Health Education Centers. This information of content and conclusions are those of the author and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government.