AHEC Scholars

 
 

About the Texas AHEC East Scholars Program

The Texas AHEC East (TAE) AHEC Scholars Program recruits and trains a diverse group of health professions students from across the TAE service region, creating an interprofessional team of health professionals committed to serving rural and/or underserved communities and the transformation of health care in Texas.

The AHEC Scholars program is a national two-year program for students enrolled in various health professions programs. AHEC Scholars is ideal for students interested in obtaining additional training and team-based clinical experiences working in rural areas and/or with underserved populations. Texas AHEC East accepts 120 students into the program each year with an emphasis on individuals from underrepresented minorities, disadvantaged/rural backgrounds, and first-generation college students. The TAE AHEC Scholars Program strives to improve the diversity and distribution of all health professions while also encouraging students to serve/practice in rural and/or underserved communities in the future.

AHEC Scholars is a program of the National AHEC Organization that is implemented by local, statewide, and regional AHECs. Students complete 40 hours of didactic training and 40 hours of experiential training each year. The AHEC Scholars program is structured around a strong foundation of eight core topics.

Core Topics

  • Interprofessional Education

    Also known as interdisciplinary training, this approach supports coordinated, patient-centered care by fostering understanding and collaboration among multiple health care professionals.

  • Practice Transformation

    Supports quality improvement and patient-centered care through leadership, goal-setting, workflow changes, practice facilitation, outcome measurement, and organizational tools that enable new, team-based care models.

  • Connecting Communities and Supporting Health Professionals

    Focuses on training and developing CHWs and paraprofessionals to serve as liaisons between health professionals and the community, improving access to services, health equity, and population health outcomes.

  • Behavioral Health Integration

    Promotes the coordination of primary care and behavioral health services to better meet the needs of individuals with mental health or substance use conditions.

  • Cultural Competency

    Trains health care providers to recognize and address cultural, language, and health literacy differences to ensure respectful, effective care for diverse populations.

  • Current and Emerging Health Issues

    Addresses new and evolving health concerns within communities to improve responsiveness, education, and service delivery to affected populations.

  • Virtual Learning and Telehealth

    Enhances telehealth and virtual learning tools, including simulation-based technologies and remote clinical experiences. Rapid adoption during the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated these practices, which remain key in today's healthcare landscape.

  • Social Determinants of Health

    Refers to five key factors that impact health outcomes: economic stability, education, social and community context, health and health care access, and the neighborhood and built environment.

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Requirements

  • Students must be currently enrolled in at least a two-year health professions program and must live or study within the Texas AHEC East service region.

  • Students should be interested in serving underserved and/or rural populations

  • Students need to be willing and able to complete the duration of the 2 year program including 40 hours of didactic and 40 hours of experiential work per year and a one-time program follow up.

  • Students must be a permanent resident, national, or citizen of the United States

 
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Benefits

  • Enhance healthcare knowledge in clinical and community settings

  • Positively impact underserved communities

  • Engage with interdisciplinary teams

  • Gain career development skills

  • Resume building opportunities

  • Networking with like-minded healthcare providers

  • Commencement Recognition

  • Potential for an annual stipend upon hour completion

  • Funding available for approved conference travel

How to Apply

Students will apply via the Formstack link. The application will include biographical information, academic program information, and a personal statement. The personal statement is a maximum of 500 words and should be included before you submit your application.

AHEC Scholars has a rolling application, but we encourage you to apply as early as you can because our cohorts fill up quickly starting in July of each year!

AHEC Scholars Resources

  • Moodle

    To access AHEC Scholars modules and other resources, please use the below link to access the Scholars Moodle sign in page.

    Visit Moodle

  • Texas AHEC East Program Office

    The Waco Region is part of the broader Texas AHEC East Center, hosted at UTMB. While the AHEC Scholars program is locally coordinated in Waco, it operates in close collaboration with the central Program Office. Applications and stipends are submitted and processed through the Program Office.

    Throughout your AHEC Scholars experience, your primary point of contact will be Morris from the Waco Region team. Please be sure to CC Morris on all communications with the Program Office.

    Visit our Events page to explore both local and regional opportunities available to Scholars.

    Visit TAE Program Office

AHEC Scholars - Waco Region Point of Contact

Morris, Program Specialist

email: caelie.morris@wacofamilymedicine.org or caelie.morris@txaheceast.org

phone: (254) 313-5109