FACHC and the Florida AHEC Network: Partnering to Grow Our Own

1. FACHC and the Florida AHEC Network:Partnering to Grow Our Own Dr. Cynthia Selleck Associate Professor & Director University of South Florida AHEC Program Tampa, FL

2. Area Health Education Centers Federally-funded AHEC Programs located in 48 states. Within those programs, approximately 215 community-based AHEC Centers are operational. AHECs create community and academic partnerships by linking health professions training programs with underserved communities.

3. Florida’s AHECs The Florida AHEC Network is making life better for medically underserved communities by connecting students to careers, professionals to communities and communities to better health.

4. Florida’s AHECs We inspire, train, recruit and retain a diverse and broad range of health professionals to practice in communities where the need is greatest.

5. Florida AHEC Network 5 AHEC Programs administered by Florida’s medical schools at: Florida State University Nova Southeastern University University of Florida University of Miami University of South Florida Community activities carried out by 10 regional AHEC Centers.

6. Florida AHEC Network Florida’s AHECs inspire youth to choose a career in the health professions with our health career camps, mentoring programs, college preparatory courses and more.

7. Florida AHEC Network We focus on recruiting more minority and disadvantaged youth into health careers because research and experience indicate they will be more likely to care for the medically underserved. As our population becomes more diverse, it is important that our health care workforce reflects that diversity.

8. Florida AHEC Network Florida’s AHEC Programs and Centers coordinate clinical training opportunities at community-based sites for students who are enrolled in a health professions training program. These sites bring health disparities to life for students, who see first-hand the needs of uninsured and underinsured patients.

9. Florida AHEC Network In 2008 alone more than 7,400 health professions students were trained throughout our 67 counties to expose them to the rewards and challenges of working with the medically needy – and possibly influence their career decisions. These students provided more than 1.1 million hours of care to an estimated 1.6 million patients.

10. Florida AHEC Network We recruit talented, dedicated health professionals who want to make a difference in the community and match them with positions in medically underserved communities.

11. Florida AHEC Network We support local health care by providing resources such as technical assistance, library services and continuing education programs to meet health professionals’ needs and to retain them in the communities who need them most.

12. Florida AHEC Network And we provide community health education/health promotion activities targeted at medically needy populations throughout our 67 counties; such activities are conducted by health professions students and AHEC staff.

13. Florida’s AHECs are interested in educating the next generation of healthcare providers to provide primary care for the state’s medically underserved. We are interested in a closer collaboration and partnership with FACHC so that together we can Grow and Keep Our Own.