About AHEC Scholars
In 2018 the AHEC Scholars program was introduced in AHECs across the country, creating a large cohort of health professions students becoming more prepared to care for rural and urban underserved patients in small interprofessional teams. The AHEC Scholars program is two years in length and applicants should be within two years of graduating from their program. In Missouri the regional cohorts are organized through the seven regional centers with support from the three program offices.
All didactic and community activities focus on the topics below. Community activities always involve two or more health professions.
Interprofessional Education
(also known as interdisciplinary training) which supports a coordinated, patient-centered model of health care that involves an understanding of the contributions of multiple health care professionals.
Integrated Behavioral Health
Promotes the development of integrated primary and behavioral health services to better address the needs of individuals with mental health and substances use conditions.
Cultural Competency
Seeks to improve individual health and build health communities by training health care providers to recognize and address the unique culture, language and health literacy of diverse consumers and communities.
Practice Transformation
Aims to fully support quality improvement and patient-centered care through goal-setting, leadership, practice facilitation, workflow changes, measuring outcomes, and adapting organizational tools and processes to support new team-based models of care delivery. AHEC programs are expected to develop and implement educational and training activities and build and strengthen strategic partnerships. Educational and training activities under practice transformation must target the specific skills and competencies needed to prepare students and practicing health professionals to effectively practice in a transforming health care system.
Social Determinants of Health
Includes five key areas (determinants) of economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care, and neighborhood and built environment, and their impact on health.
Current/Emerging Issues
Current information will be provided on diseases such as opioid/substance use disorders, HPV, and emerging issues such as COVID-19.
Physical Therapy
Medical
Social Work
Other Allied Heath Programs of 2 years
Speech Therapy

Dental
Nursing/Nurse Practitioner
Occupational Therapy
Public Health
Pharmacy

Physical Therapy
Medical
Other Allied Heath Programs of 2 years
Public Health
Social Work
Occupational Therapy
Nursing/Nurse Practitioner
Speech Therapy
Dental
Pharmacy
To learn more about the requirements, please contact your regional AHEC found on the Locations page of this website. If you are not in one of these programs, but have interest in AHEC Scholars, please contact us at missouriahec@atsu.edu or your local AHEC.
“Being a Scholar has connected me with professional training that helped solidify the skills and knowledge necessary to serve patients from varying life experiences. I have become more empathetic, considerate, sincere, and informed as a future healthcare provider.”
-Gigi Presley
AHEC Scholars: Certifications
Please contact your local AHEC or missouriahec@atsu.edu to learn more about applying to AHEC Scholars.
Certification in Mental Health First Aid
Certification in National CLAS standards
Certificate from Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI)
AHEC Scholars: Networking
Please contact your local AHEC or missouriahec@atsu.edu to learn more about applying to AHEC Scholars.
Networking with health care providers and community health leaders
Network with students in various disciplines and across the state
Value Added
Please contact your local AHEC or missouriahec@atsu.edu to learn more about applying to AHEC Scholars.
Better prepared to work with diverse patients in rural and/or urban communities
Improved employability skills
- Resume review
- Job interview preparation
- Introduction to area health organizations
Application
How to Apply to
AHEC Scholars
A Google account is required to complete the Google Form application. If you do not have a Google account, create one. Complete applications will be given higher priority. If you encounter problems while completing the form or have questions, please contact us.
EMail For Inquiry
01.
Proof of acceptance or enrollment in one of the participating health professions program.
02.
Submit a current CV or resume and contact information for two individuals who have agreed to complete recommendation questionnaires.
03.
Select individuals who know you as a colleague or a student and can evaluate your fitness for the AHEC Scholars program. Recommendation questionnaires may be completed by an AHEC center, professional school, or undergraduate university.
04.
A background check may be required before acceptance to the Missouri AHEC Scholars program.
FY19 Participants
Pipeline Participants
Health Career Participants
Clinical Rotations
Get In Touch
Location: 800 W. Jefferson Street
Kirksville, MO 63501
Telephone: 660-626-2887
Hours: M-F: 9am – 5pm